On December 20, the House approved H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a sweeping tax reform measure. While much still needs to be determined for tax planning opportunities, we can look at the new income tax rates and how they compare to the pre-Act law.
2017 2018
Single
Up to 9,325.00 10.0% Up to 9,525.00 10.0%
Up to 37,950.00 15.0% Up to 38,700.00 12.0%
Up to 91,900.00 25.0% Up to 82,500.00 22.0%
Up to 191,650.00 28.0% Up to 157,500.00 24.0%
Up to 416,700.00 33.0% Up to 200,000.00 32.0%
Up to 418,400.00 35.0% Up to 500,000.00 35.0%
Over 418,400.00 39.6% Over 500,000.00 37.0%
MFJ
Up to 18,650.00 10.0% Up to 19,050.00 10.0%
Up to 75,900.00 15.0% Up to 77,400.00 12.0%
Up to 153,100.00 25.0% Up to 165,000.00 22.0%
Up to 233,350.00 28.0% Up to 315,000.00 24.0%
Up to 416,700.00 33.0% Up to 400,000.00 32.0%
Up to 470,700.00 35.0% Up to 600,000.00 35.0%
Over 470,700.00 39.6% Over 600,000.00 37.0%
As you can see, the majority of the tax rates are lower, where we start to see some discrepancies is when we get to Single filers making over $200,000. With the pre-tax law, an individual making in the range of $200,000 – $420,000, will be taxed at a 33% marginal rate. Under the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, a single person making between $200,000-$420,000 will be taxed at a 35% marginal rate. It appears on its face that these individuals will be paying more in taxes. So let’s look at the real world numbers.
- If Single Taxpayer A makes $250,000 of taxable income, the taxpayer will pay $65,899.25 in tax in 2017, and $63,189.50 in 2018.
- If Single Taxpayer A makes $300,000 of taxable income, the taxpayer will pay $82,399.25 in tax in 2017, and $80,689.50 in 2018.
- If Single Taxpayer A makes $350,000 of taxable income, the taxpayer will pay $98,899.25 in tax in 2017, and $98,189.50 in 2018, still a small tax reduction.
It isn’t until we get to $387,000 where we see the 2018 tax surpass that of the 2017 tax rates. From this point on there is a window of taxpayers (Single filers) who make between $387,000 and $417,000 who, with no other changes, will see their taxes go up for 2018. For the remaining filers, it appears that for the next 8 years you should see a tax rate decrease.
