Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Calculator
Calculate your potential Alternative Minimum Tax liability. The AMT is a parallel tax system designed to ensure high-income taxpayers pay a minimum amount of tax.
AMT Summary
AMT Calculation Details
AMT Status
Understanding the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is a parallel tax system designed to ensure that high-income taxpayers pay at least a minimum amount of tax, regardless of deductions, credits, or exemptions they may claim on their regular tax return.
How AMT Works
The AMT requires taxpayers to calculate their tax under both the regular tax system and the AMT system, then pay the higher of the two amounts. The AMT uses a separate set of rules for deductions and credits.
AMT = MAX(Regular Tax, Tentative AMT)
AMT Exemptions (2024)
| Filing Status | AMT Exemption | Phase-Out Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $81,300 | $578,151 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $126,500 | $1,156,300 |
| Married Filing Separately | $63,250 | $578,151 |
| Head of Household | $81,300 | $578,151 |
AMT Tax Rates (2024)
| Taxable AMTI | AMT Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $220,700 | 26% |
| $220,700+ | 28% |
AMT Adjustments & Preferences
Additions to Income
- State & Local Taxes: Limited to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately)
- Property Taxes: Not deductible under AMT
- Medical Expenses: Must exceed 7.5% of AGI
- Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions: Not allowed
AMT Preferences
- Incentive Stock Options: Bargain element added to income
- Long-term Capital Gains: Taxed at same rate as ordinary income
- Qualified Dividends: Taxed at ordinary income rates
- Foreign Tax Credits: Limited under AMT
Who Pays AMT?
The AMT primarily affects high-income taxpayers who benefit from significant deductions, credits, or tax preferences. However, middle-income taxpayers can also be subject to AMT in certain situations.
- High-Income Earners: Taxpayers with incomes over $500,000
- Stock Option Holders: Those who exercise incentive stock options
- Real Estate Investors: Those with significant depreciation deductions
- High State Tax Payers: Residents of high-tax states
- Tax Credit Users: Those claiming large tax credits
AMT Planning Strategies
Timing Strategies
- Accelerate income into AMT years
- Defer deductions to non-AMT years
- Time stock option exercises strategically
- Consider Roth conversions in non-AMT years
Structural Strategies
- Use AMT-advantaged investments
- Consider municipal bonds for tax-free income
- Maximize AMT credits (carryforward available)
- Review state tax planning to minimize AMT impact
AMT vs. Regular Tax Comparison
The key difference between AMT and regular tax is that AMT disallows many deductions and preferences that are allowed under regular tax rules. This ensures that everyone pays at least a minimum tax amount.
Important AMT Facts
- AMT was created in 1969 to prevent wealthy taxpayers from avoiding taxes
- About 0.1% of taxpayers pay AMT, but they pay about 20% of total AMT collected
- AMT exemption amounts are not indexed for inflation
- AMT credits can be carried forward indefinitely
- Foreign tax credits are limited under AMT rules
- State tax deductions are limited to $10,000 under AMT