This document provides an overview of Chapter 9 topics related to tax credits, prepayments, and the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in the form of exhibits and summaries. The chapter covers various tax credits like the child tax credit, education credits, earned income credit, and foreign tax credit. It also discusses obtaining credit for excess tax withholdings and prepayments. Finally, it summarizes how the AMT system works by adding back certain deductions and preferences to calculate Alternative Minimum Taxable Income.

1. Chapter 9
Tax Credits, Prepayments,
and AMT
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2. Chapter 9 Exhibits
1. Tax Credits
2. Household and Dependent Care Credit
3. Elderly and Disabled Persons Credit
4. Child Tax Credit
5. American Opportunity Tax Credit
6. Lifetime Learning Credit
7. American Opportunity Tax and Lifetime Learning Credits
8. American Opportunity Tax and Lifetime Learning Credits Phaseout Rules
9. Adoption Assistance Credit
Chapter 9, Exhibit Contents A CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 2 of 32

3. Chapter 9 Exhibits
10. Foreign Tax Credit
11. Obtaining Credit for Excess Withholdings
12. Earned Income Credit
13. Alternative Minimum Tax
14. AMT Adjustments
15. AMT Preferences
16. AMT Exemptions
Chapter 9, Exhibit Contents B CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 3 of 32

4. Tax Credits
A tax credit is a direct reduction of the tax due. It differs from a deduction,
which is a reduction of income subject to tax. A tax credit is more valuable
than a deduction of the same amount.
There are 2 types of credits:
Refundable credits generally represent prepayments of tax (with the
exception of the earned income and child tax credits). The credit may be
refunded to the taxpayer even if there is no tax liability.
Nonrefundable credits – there have been no prepayments, therefore the
taxpayer cannot obtain a refund if the credit exceeds the gross tax.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 1 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 4 of 32

5. Household and Dependent Care Credit
 The household and dependent care credit is a
nonrefundable tax credit.
 A credit is allowed for up to 35% of employment related
expenses for the care of a qualifying individual.
Expenses are limited to $3,000 for 1 qualifying
individual ($6,000 for 2 or more qualifying individuals).
 Phaseout The credit percentage is 35%, reduced by 1
percentage point for each $2,000 of adjusted gross
income, or fraction thereof, above $15,000. The credit
cannot be reduced below 20%.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 2a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 5 of 32

6. Household and Dependent Care Credit
 Qualifying individual can be a child under
age 13, or a mentally or physically
handicapped dependent or spouse.
 “Gainful employment” expenses must be
incurred to enable the taxpayer to be
employed or to seek employment.
 Expenses may include household services
such as babysitting and housekeeping. It also
Chapter 9, Exhibit 2b covers outside services, such as daycare, as 6 of 32
CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles

7. Household and Dependent Care Credit
35% x the lesser of (a), (b), or (c)
a = actual gainful employment expenses
b = $3,000 per qualifying individual, not to exceed $6,000
c = earned income (if married, use income of the spouse with
the lower income)
If one spouse is a full-time student or incapable of self-care, their earned
income is $250 per month for 1 qualifying individual, or $500 per month
for 2 or more qualifying individuals.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 2c CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 7 of 32

8. Elderly and Disabled Persons Credit
Eligible taxpayers must meet one of the following two
conditions:
1. Reach age 65 before the end of the tax year
2. Retire under age 65 before the end of the tax year due to
total, permanent disability.
Married taxpayers. Married taxpayers must file jointly unless
they have lived apart for the entire year.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 3a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 8 of 32

9. Elderly and Disabled Persons Credit
The credit is nonrefundable and is computed as follows:
[(a) – (b) – (c)] * 15%
a = Base amount of $5,000 (or $7,500 for married filing joint return
with both spouses age 65 or older)
b = Tax-exempt pension benefits such as tax-exempt Social Security
benefits
c = Income level adjustment:
50% x (AGI – $10,000) for married persons filing jointly
50% x (AGI – $ 7,500) for single persons
50% x (AGI – $5,000) for married persons filing separately
Chapter 9, Exhibit 3b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 9 of 32

10. Child Tax Credit
Taxpayers with one or more “qualifying children” are allowed a
credit of $1,000 per child.
The “qualifying child” must be:
 A son or daughter for whom the taxpayer may claim a
dependency exemption (i.e., natural, step, adopted, or foster
pending adoption) and
 Less than 17 years old at the close of the tax year.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 4a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 10 of 32

11. Child Tax Credit
 A portion of the child tax credit is a refundable credit. This
means that a tax liability does not have to exist in order for
the taxpayer to receive the credit.
 The credit is refundable for 15% of earned income in excess
of $3,000 (up to the maximum per child amount).
 The nonrefundable credit must be reduced by the amount of
the refundable credit.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 4b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 11 of 32

12. Child Tax Credit
Phaseout of child tax credit. The total amount
of credits is reduced $50 for each $1,000, or
fraction thereof, of modified AGI above the
following threshold levels:
Filing Status Threshold for Modified
AGI:
Single, head of household, $ 75,000
surviving spouse
Married filing jointly $110,000
Married filing separately $ 55,000
Chapter 9, Exhibit 4c CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 12 of 32

13. American Opportunity Tax Credit
The American Opportunity Tax Credit provides a maximum
nonrefundable tax credit of $2,500 per student for the first
four completed years of undergraduate education.
The $2,500 per student limitation is computed as follows:
100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses plus
25% of the next $2,000 of qualified expenses.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 5 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 13 of 32

14. Lifetime Learning Credit
The Lifetime Learning Credit allows a maximum
nonrefundable tax credit of $2,000 per taxpayer for an
unlimited number of years if qualified tuition expenses are
paid:
 after June 30, 1998, and
 in a year in which the Hope Scholarship Credit is not
claimed for a given student.
The $2,000 limitation is computed as 20% of the first $10,000
of qualified expenses.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 6 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 14 of 32

15. American Opportunity Tax and Lifetime Learning
Credits
Qualified Students. Qualified students consist of the taxpayer, the
taxpayer’s spouse, or the taxpayer’s dependents.
American Opportunity Tax Credit. To qualify, a student must carry at
least one-half the normal full-time workload for the course of study the
student is pursuing.
Lifetime Learning Credit. A student qualifies even if he or she carries
less than one-half the normal full-time workload.
The American Opportunity Tax credit is denied if a student has been
convicted of a federal or state felony drug offense.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 7a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 15 of 32

16. American Opportunity Tax and Lifetime Learning
Credits
Qualified expenses. Qualified expenses include tuition and fees but
NOT books, room and board, student activity fees, insurance expenses,
or athletic fees.
Qualified programs. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is not
allowed for the expenses of any graduate or advanced degree programs.
However, the Lifetime Learning Credit is allowed for the expenses of
any undergraduate, graduate, or vocational program.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 7b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 16 of 32

17. American Opportunity Tax and Lifetime Learning Credits
Phaseout Rules
Phaseout of American Opportunity Tax and Lifetime Learning Credits.
The sum of American Opportunity Tax Credits and Lifetime Learning
Credits phase out at the following thresholds for modified AGI.
Filing Status Threshold for Modified AGI
Floor Ceiling Phaseout Range
Single, head of household, surviving $80,000 $90,000 $10,000
spouse
Married filing jointly $160,000 $180,000 $20,000
Married filing separately N/A N/A N/A
Chapter 9, Exhibit 8 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 17 of 32

18. Adoption Assistance Credit
 Taxpayers who adopt an eligible adoptee may claim a
nonrefundable tax credit for qualified adoption expenses of
up to $12,650 for each eligible adoptee.
 If adoption expenses are paid through an employer adoption
assistance program, the expenses paid by the employer may be
excluded up to the limits stated above.
 The credit will begin to phase out when a taxpayer’s AGI
exceeds $189,710.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 9 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 18 of 32

19. Foreign Tax Credit
 U.S. citizens are taxed on world-wide income.
 U.S. citizens working in other countries are possibly subject
to foreign taxes.
 To avoid possible double taxation, a U.S. citizen a allowed a
nonrefundable credit on their U.S. tax return for foreign
taxes paid.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 10a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 19 of 32

20. Foreign Tax Credit
The credit is equal to the lesser of actual foreign taxes paid or a
limitation.
The formula for computing the credit limitation is:
Foreign Income × U.S. Tax liability
U.S. Income
* U.S. income is AGI less itemized deductions or the standard
deduction.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 10b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 20 of 32

21. Obtaining Credit for Excess Withholdings
Excess federal income tax withholdings. Withholdings
from employee wages for income tax are treated as
refundable credits reported on page 2 of Form 1040.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 11a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 21 of 32

22. Obtaining Credit for Excess Withholdings
Excess FICA withholdings: 2 or more employers.
Withholdings from wages for FICA tax are also refundable,
but only if the aggregate withheld by two or more employers
is in excess of the maximum. The refundable amount is
reported as a credit on page 2 of Form 1040. (Employers are
not entitled to this same credit)
Chapter 9, Exhibit 11b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 22 of 32

23. Obtaining Credit for Excess Withholdings
Excess FICA withholdings: 1 employer.
If the FICA tax withheld by only one employer exceeds
the maximum limit, the employee must seek a refund
from the employer, not the IRS.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 11c CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 23 of 32

24. Earned Income Credit
 The earned income credit is provided for low income workers. The credit
is refundable even if no tax liability exists.
 The credit is computed as follows:
No Child – 7.65% of the first $6,210 of earned income.
1 Child – 34% of the first $9,320 of earned income.
2 Children – 40% of the first $13,090 of earned income.
Phase-outs apply.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 12a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 24 of 32

25. Earned Income Credit
Any taxpayer without qualifying children must meet the following
requirements:
 Principal residence requirement. The taxpayer has a principal residence
in the U.S. for over half the tax year.
 Age requirement. The individual or his/her spouse (if married) is at least
age 25 but not over age 64 by the end of the tax year.
 Nondependent requirement. The taxpayer cannot be claimed as a
dependent for the tax year in which the credit is claimed.
 Limits on earned income. Phaseout ranges apply.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 12b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 25 of 32

26. Earned Income Credit
Any taxpayer with qualifying children must meet the following
requirements:
 Principal abode of child. The taxpayer must maintain a household in the
U.S. that is the principal abode for over half a year of a dependent child
under age 19 or a student, dependent disabled child, or married child for
whom the taxpayer may claim a dependency exemption.
 Head of household or surviving spouse taxpayers. For individuals
qualifying as head of household or surviving spouse, a child who is under
age 19 or a student need not be a dependent.
 Married taxpayers. Married taxpayers must file jointly to receive the
credit.
 Limits on earned and unearned income. Phaseout ranges apply.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 12c CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 26 of 32

27. Alternative Minimum Tax
Start with Taxable Income
Add or subtract Adjustments
Add Tax Preferences
= Alternative Minimum Taxable Income (AMTI)
Subtract Exemption Amount
= Net Alternative Minimum Taxable Income
Multiply by the Tax Rate
= Tax
Chapter 9, Exhibit 13a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 27 of 32

28. Alternative Minimum Tax
Tax (from previous slide)
Minus the Alternative Minimum Foreign Tax Credit
= Tentative Minimum Tax (TMT)
Minus regular tax for the year
= Alternative Minimum Tax
Chapter 9, Exhibit 13b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 28 of 32

29. AMT Adjustments
Adjustments for Depreciation
 Taxpayers must re-compute depreciation for real property
acquired prior to 1999 using 40 year straight line depreciation.
 Depreciation on personal property must be re-computed using
150% declining balance method.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 14a CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 29 of 32

30. AMT Adjustments
Personal Exemption & Standard and Itemized Deductions
 The personal exemption amount must be added back.
 The standard deduction amount must be added back, if taken
when computing regular tax liability.
 Medical expenses allowed to the extent they exceed 10% of
AGI.
 No deductions allowed for state and local property and income
taxes, must be added back.
 No deductions allowed for miscellaneous itemized deductions,
must be added back.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 14b CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 30 of 32

31. AMT Preferences
The following preferences must be added back to taxable income in
order to compute AMTI.
 The amount by which the percentage depletion deduction exceeds the
adjusted basis of the property at year end.
 Tax exempt interest on private activity bonds. Does not apply to
bonds issued for tax-exempt charities or to bonds issued for public
purposes, such as schools.
 7% of the excluded portion of gains from the sale of small business
stock (50% of gains are excluded if the stock was held more than 5
years). Thus, 3.5% of the gain will be treated as an AMT preference.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 15 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 31 of 32

32. AMT Exemptions
2011 rates (The 2012 amounts have not been published.)
$74,450 Married filing jointly
$48,450 Single
$37,225 Married filing separately
The exemption is reduced by 25% by the amount which AMTI
exceeds the following amounts:
$150,000 Married filing jointly
$112,500 Single
$75,000 Married filing separately.
Chapter 9, Exhibit 16 CCH Federal Taxation Basic Principles 32 of 32