Why are taxes so complicated? Q.Why are taxes so complicated? A.Our tax system could be simple if its only purpose were to raise revenue. But it has other goals, including fairness, efficiency, and enforceability. And Congress has used the tax system to influence social policy as well as to deliver benefits for specific groups and industries. Read more about Why are taxes so complicated?
What is the AMT? Q.What is the AMT? A.The individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) operates alongside the regular income tax. It requires many taxpayers to calculate their liability twice—once under the rules for the regular income tax and once under the AMT rules—and then pay the higher amount. Originally intended to prevent perceived abuses by a handful of the very rich, it now affects roughly 5 million filers. Read more about What is the AMT?
Who pays the AMT? Q.Who pays the AMT? A.The individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) primarily affects well-off households, but not those with the very highest incomes. It is also more likely to hit taxpayers with large families, those who are married, and those who live in high-tax states. Read more about Who pays the AMT?
