IRS Releases Inflation Adjusted Tables For 2004.

Rev. Proc. 2003-85

Table of Contents

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

SECTION 2. CHANGES

SECTION 3. 2004 ADJUSTED ITEMS

                                              Code Section

SECTION 5. DRAFTING INFORMATION

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

This revenue procedure sets forth inflation adjusted items for 2004.

SECTION 2. CHANGES

.01 The initial bracket amounts for the 10% tax rate for married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses under § 1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and heads of households under § 1(b) are adjusted for inflation under § 1(i)(C)(ii). Under § 1(i)(1)(B)(iii) the initial bracket amounts for § 1(c) (unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of households)) and § 1(d) (married individuals filing separate returns) are equal to 1/2 the initial bracket amount of § 1(a) (married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses) after adjustment for inflation.

.02 The amounts deemed substantiated when paid by eligible employers in the transportation mainline pipeline construction industry under an accountable plan to employees in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2002-41, 2002-1 C.B. 1098, are adjusted for inflation. (Section 3.09).

.03 The dollar amount in § 179(b)(1) used to determine the dollar limitation of the aggregate cost that may be taken into account under § 179(a) and the dollar amount in § 179(b)(2) used to calculate a reduction in the dollar limitation are adjusted for inflation. (Section 3.17).

.04 The generation-skipping transfer tax exemption under ' 2631, which is allowed in determining the "inclusion ratio" defined in ' 2642, is no longer adjusted for inflation and has been deleted.

SECTION 3. 2004 ADJUSTED ITEMS

.01 Tax Rate Tables. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the tax rate tables under § 1 are as follows:

 TABLE 1 - Section 1(a). -

.03 Adoption Credit. For taxable years beginning in 2004, under § 23(a)(3) the maximum credit allowed for an adoption of a child with special needs is $10,390. For taxable years beginning in 2004, under § 23(b)(1) the maximum credit allowed with regard to other adoptions is the amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $10,390. The available adoption credit begins to phase out under § 23(b)(2)(A) for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $155,860 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $195,860. (See section 3.14 for the adjusted items relating to adoption assistance programs.)

.04 Child Tax Credit. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the value used in § 24(d)(1)(B)(i) in determining the amount of credit under § 24 that may be refundable is $10,750.

.05 Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits.

(1) For taxable years beginning in 2004, 100 percent of qualified tuition and related expenses not in excess of $1,000 and 50 percent of such expenses in excess of $1,000 are taken into account in determining the amount of the Hope Scholarship Credit under § 25A(b)(1).

(2) For taxable years beginning in 2004, a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income in excess of $42,000 ($85,000 for a joint return) is taken into account in determining the reduction under § 25A(d)(2)(A)(ii) in the amount of the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credits otherwise allowable under § 25A(a).

.06 Earned Income Credit.

(1) In general. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the following amounts are used to determine the earned income credit under § 32(b). The "earned income amount" is the amount of earned income at or above which the maximum amount of the earned income credit is allowed. The "threshold phaseout amount" is the amount of adjusted gross income (or, if greater, earned income) above which the maximum amount of the credit begins to phase out. The "completed phaseout amount" is the amount of adjusted gross income (or if greater, earned income) at or above which no credit is allowed.

  Number of Qualifying Children

(2) Excessive investment income. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the earned income tax credit is denied under § 32(i) if the aggregate amount of certain investment income exceeds $2,650.

.07 Low-Income Housing Credit. For calendar years beginning in 2004, the amounts used under § 42(h)(3)(C)(ii) to calculate the State housing credit ceiling for the low-income housing credit is the greater of $1.80 multiplied by the State population or $2,075,000.

.08 Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption for a Child Subject to the "Kiddie Tax." For taxable years beginning in 2004, for a child to whom the § 1(g) "kiddie tax" applies, the exemption amount under §§ 55 and 59(j) for purposes of the alternative minimum tax under § 55 may not exceed the sum of (A) such child's earned income for the taxable year, plus (B) $5,750.

.09 Transportation Mainline Pipeline Construction Industry Optional Expense Substantiation Rules for Payments to Employees under Accountable Plans. For calendar years beginning in 2004, an eligible employer may pay certain welders and heavy equipment mechanics an amount of up to $13 per hour for rig-related expenses that is deemed substantiated under an accountable plan when paid in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2002-41. If the employer provides fuel or otherwise reimburses fuel expenses, up to $8 per hour is deemed substantiated when paid under Rev. Proc. 2002-41.

.10 Standard Deduction.

(1) In general. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the standard deduction amounts under § 63(c)(2) are as follows:

(3) Aged and blind. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the additional standard deduction amounts under § 63(f) for the aged and for the blind are $950 for each. These amounts are increased to $1,200 if the individual is also unmarried and not a surviving spouse.

.11 Overall Limitation on Itemized Deductions. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the "applicable amount" of adjusted gross income under § 68(b), above which the amount of otherwise allowable itemized deductions is reduced under § 68, is $142,700 (or $71,350 for a separate return filed by a married individual).

.12 Qualified Transportation Fringe. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the monthly limitation under § 132(f)(2)(A), regarding the aggregate fringe benefit exclusion amount for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle and any transit pass, is $100. The monthly limitation under § 132(f)(2)(B) regarding the fringe benefit exclusion amount for qualified parking is $195.

.13 Income from United States Savings Bonds for Taxpayers Who Pay Qualified Higher Education Expenses. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the exclusion under § 135, regarding income from United States savings bonds for taxpayers who pay qualified higher education expenses, begins to phase out for modified adjusted gross income above $89,750 for joint returns and $59,850 for other returns. This exclusion completely phases out for modified adjusted gross income of $119,750 or more for joint returns and $74,850 or more for other returns.

.14 Adoption Assistance Programs. For taxable years beginning in 2004, under § 137(a)(2) the maximum amount that can be excluded from an employee's gross income in connection with the adoption by the employee of a child with special needs is $10,390. For taxable years beginning in 2004, under § 137(b)(1) the maximum amount that can be excluded from an employee's gross income for the amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for qualified adoption expenses furnished pursuant to an adoption assistance program in connection with other adoptions by the employee is $10,390. The amount excludable from an employee's gross income begins to phase out under § 137(b)(2)(A) for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $155,860 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $195,860. (See section 3.03 for the adjusted items relating to the adoption credit.)

.15 Private Activity Bonds Volume Cap. For calendar years beginning in 2004, the amounts used under § 146(d)(1) to calculate the State ceiling for the volume cap for private activity bonds is the greater of $80 multiplied by the State population or $233,795,000.

.16 Personal Exemption.

(1) Exemption amount. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the personal exemption amount under § 151(d) is $3,100.

(2) Phase out. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the personal exemption amount begins to phase out at, and is completely phased out after, the following adjusted gross income amounts:

.18 Eligible Long-Term Care Premiums. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the limitations under § 213(d)(10), regarding eligible long-term care premiums includible in the term "medical care," are as follows:

 Attained age before the

(1) Self-only coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the term "high deductible health plan" as defined in § 220(c)(2)(A) means, for self-only coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $1,700 and not more than $2,600, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits does not exceed $3,450.

(2) Family coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the term "high deductible health plan" means, for family coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $3,450 and not more than $5,150, and under which the annual out-of- pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits does not exceed $6,300.

.20 Interest on Education Loans. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the $2,500 maximum deduction for interest paid on qualified education loans under § 221 is reduced under § 221(b)(2)(B) when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $50,000 ($100,000 for joint returns), and is completely eliminated when modified adjusted gross income is $65,000 ($130,000 for joint returns).

.21 Treatment of Dues Paid to Agricultural or Horticultural Organizations. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the limitation under § 512(d)(1), regarding the exemption of annual dues required to be paid by a member to an agricultural or horticultural organization, is $124.

.22 Insubstantial Benefit Limitations for Contributions Associated with Charitable Fund-Raising Campaigns.

(1) Low cost article. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the unrelated business income of certain exempt organizations under § 513(h)(2) does not include a "low cost article" of $8.20 or less.

(2) Other insubstantial benefits. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the $5, $25, and $50 guidelines in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 90-12, 1990-1 C.B. 471 (as amplified and modified), for disregarding the value of insubstantial benefits received by a donor in return for a fully deductible charitable contribution under § 170, are $8.20, $41, and $82, respectively.

.23 Funeral Trusts. For a contract entered into during calendar year 2004 for a "qualified funeral trust," as defined in § 685, the trust may not accept aggregate contributions by or for the benefit of an individual in excess of $8,000.

.24 Expatriation to Avoid Tax. For calendar year 2004, the amounts used under § 877(a)(2), regarding whether an individual's loss of United States citizenship had the avoidance of United States taxes as one of its principal purposes, are more than $124,000 for "average annual net income tax" and $622,000 or more for "net worth."

.25 Valuation of Qualified Real Property in Decedent's Gross Estate. For an estate of a decedent dying in calendar year 2004, if the executor elects to use the special use valuation method under § 2032A for qualified real property, the aggregate decrease in the value of qualified real property resulting from electing to use § 2032A that is taken into account for purposes of the estate tax may not exceed $850,000.

.26 Annual Exclusion for Gifts.

(1) For calendar year 2004, the first $11,000 of gifts to any person (other than gifts of future interests in property) are not included in the total amount of taxable gifts under § 2503 made during that year.

(2) For calendar year 2004, the first $114,000 of gifts to a spouse who is not a citizen of the United States (other than gifts of future interests in property) are not included in the total amount of taxable gifts under §§ 2503 and 2523(i)(2) made during that year.

.27 Passenger Air Transportation Excise Tax. For calendar year 2004, the tax under § 4261(b) on the amount paid for each domestic segment of taxable transportation by air is $3.10. For calendar year 2004, the tax under § 4261(c) on any amount paid (whether within or without the United States) for any transportation of any person by air, if such transportation begins or ends in the United States, generally is $13.70. However, for a domestic segment beginning or ending in Alaska or Hawaii as described in § 4261(c)(3), the tax only applies to departures and is at the rate of $6.90.

.28 Reporting Exception for Certain Exempt Organizations with Nondeductible Lobbying Expenditures. For taxable years beginning in 2004, the annual per person, family, or entity dues limitation to qualify for the reporting exception under § 6033(e)(3) (and section 5.05 of Rev. Proc. 98-19, 1998-1 C.B. 547), regarding certain exempt organizations with nondeductible lobbying expenditures, is $86 or less.

.29 Notice of Large Gifts Received from Foreign Persons. For taxable years beginning in 2004, recipients of gifts from certain foreign persons may be required to report these gifts under § 6039F if the aggregate value of gifts received in a taxable year exceeds $12,097.

.30 Persons Against Which a Federal Tax Lien Is Not Valid. For calendar year 2004, a federal tax lien is not valid against (1) certain purchasers under § 6323(b)(4) who purchased personal property in a casual sale for less than $1,180, or (2) a mechanic's lienor under § 6323(b)(7) that repaired or improved certain residential property if the contract price with the owner is not more than $5,890.

.31 Property Exempt from Levy. For calendar year 2004, the value of property exempt from levy under § 6334(a)(2) (fuel, provisions, furniture, and other household personal effects, as well as arms for personal use, livestock, and poultry) may not exceed $7,040. The value of property exempt from levy under § 6334(a)(3) (books and tools necessary for the trade, business, or profession of the taxpayer) may not exceed $3,520.

.32 Interest on a Certain Portion of the Estate Tax Payable in Installments. For an estate of a decedent dying in calendar year 2004, the dollar amount used to determine the "2-percent portion" (for purposes of calculating interest under § 6601(j)) of the estate tax extended as provided in § 6166 is $1,140,000.

.33 Attorney Fee Awards. For fees incurred in calendar year 2004, the attorney fee award limitation under § 7430(c)(1)(B)(iii) is $150 per hour.

.34 Periodic Payments Received under Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts or under Certain Life Insurance Contracts. For calendar year 2004, the stated dollar amount of the per diem limitation under § 7702B(d)(4), regarding periodic payments received under a qualified long-term care insurance contract or periodic payments received under a life insurance contract that are treated as paid by reason of the death of a chronically ill individual, is $230.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

.01 General Rule. Except as provided in section 4.02, this revenue procedure applies to taxable years beginning in 2004.

.02 Calendar Year Rule. This revenue procedure applies to transactions or events occurring in calendar year 2004 for purposes of sections 3.07 (low-income housing credit), 3.09 (pipeline construction industry optional expense substantiation rules), 3.15 (private activity bond volume cap), 3.23 (funeral trusts), 3.24 (expatriation to avoid tax), 3.25 (valuation of qualified real property in decedent's gross estate), 3.26 (annual exclusion for gifts), 3.27 (passenger air transportation excise tax), 3.30 (persons against which a federal tax lien is not valid), 3.31 (property exempt from levy), 3.32 (interest on a certain portion of the estate tax payable in installments), 3.33 (attorney fee awards), and 3.34 (periodic payments received under qualified long-term care insurance contracts or under certain life insurance contracts).

SECTION 5. DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this revenue procedure is Marnette M. Myers of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting). For further information regarding this revenue procedure, contact Ms. Myers on (202) 622-4920 (not a toll-free call).