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IRS Releases Inflation-Adjusted Tables for 2015

OCT. 30, 2014

Rev. Proc. 2014-61; 2014-47 I.R.B. 860

DATED OCT. 30, 2014
Citations: Rev. Proc. 2014-61; 2014-47 I.R.B. 860

Modifies Rev. Proc. 2002-41; Amplifies Rev. Proc. 90-12

26 CFR 601.602: Tax forms and instructions.

(Also Part I, §§ 1, 23, 24, 25A, 32, 36B, 42, 45R, 55, 59, 62, 63, 68, 125, 132(f), 135, 137, 146, 147, 148, 151, 213, 220, 221, 512, 513, 877, 877A, 911, 2010, 2032A, 2503, 2523, 4161, 4261, 6033, 6039F, 6323, 6334, 6601, 7430, 7702B; 1.148-5.)

                       Table of Contents

 

 

 SECTION 1. PURPOSE

 

 

 SECTION 2. CHANGES

 

 

 SECTION 3. 2015 ADJUSTED ITEMS

 

 

                                                        Code Section

 

 

 .01 Tax Rate Tables                                      1(a)-(e)

 

 

 .02 Unearned Income of Minor Children

 

     Taxed as if Parent's Income ("Kiddie Tax")               1(g)

 

 

 .03 Adoption Credit                                            23

 

 

 .04 Child Tax Credit                                           24

 

 

 .05 Hope Scholarship and Lifetime

 

     Learning Credits                                          25A

 

 

 .06 Earned Income Credit                                       32

 

 

 .07 Refundable Credit for Coverage

 

     Under a Qualified Health Plan                    36B(f)(2)(B)

 

 

 .08 Rehabilitation Expenditures

 

     Treated as Separate New Building                        42(e)

 

 

 .09 Low-Income Housing Credit                               42(h)

 

 

 .10 Employee Health Insurance

 

     Expense of Small Employers                                45R

 

 

 .11 Exemption Amounts for Alternative

 

     Minimum Tax                                                55

 

 

 .12 Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption

 

     for a Child Subject to the "Kiddie Tax"                 59(j)

 

 

 .13 Transportation Mainline Pipeline

 

     Construction Industry Optional

 

     Expense Substantiation Rules for

 

     Payments to Employees under

 

     Accountable Plans                                       62(c)

 

 

 .14 Standard Deduction                                         63

 

 

 .15 Overall Limitation on Itemized Deductions                  68

 

 

 .16 Cafeteria Plans                                           125

 

 

 .17 Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit                132(f)

 

 

 .18 Income from United States Savings

 

     Bonds for Taxpayers Who

 

     Pay Qualified Higher Education Expenses                   135

 

 

 .19 Adoption Assistance Programs                              137

 

 

 .20 Private Activity Bonds Volume Cap                      146(d)

 

 

 .21 Loan Limits on Agricultural Bonds                   147(c)(2)

 

 

 .22 General Arbitrage Rebate Rules                         148(f)

 

 

 .23 Safe Harbor Rules for Broker

 

     Commissions on Guaranteed

 

     Investment Contracts or Investments

 

     Purchased for a Yield

 

     Restricted Defeasance Escrow                              148

 

 

 .24 Personal Exemption                                        151

 

 

 .25 Eligible Long-Term Care Premiums                   213(d)(10)

 

 

 .26 Medical Savings Accounts                                  220

 

 

 .27 Interest on Education Loans                               221

 

 

 .28 Treatment of Dues Paid to

 

     Agricultural or Horticultural

 

     Organizations                                          512(d)

 

 

 .29 Insubstantial Benefit Limitations

 

     for Contributions Associated

 

     With Charitable Fund-Raising Campaigns                 513(h)

 

 

 .30 Expatriation to Avoid Tax                                 877

 

 

 .31 Tax Responsibilities of Expatriation                     877A

 

 

 .32 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion                           911

 

 

 .33 Unified Credit Against Estate Tax                        2010

 

 

 .34 Valuation of Qualified Real Property

 

     in Decedent's Gross Estate                              2032A

 

 

 .35 Annual Exclusion for Gifts                         2503; 2523

 

 

 .36 Tax on Arrow Shafts                                      4161

 

 

 .37 Passenger Air Transportation Excise Tax                  4261

 

 

 .38 Reporting Exception for Certain Exempt

 

     Organizations with Nondeductible Lobbying          6033(e)(3)

 

     Expenditures

 

 

 .39 Notice of Large Gifts Received

 

     from Foreign Persons                                    6039F

 

 

 .40 Persons Against Whom a Federal

 

     Tax Lien Is Not Valid                                    6323

 

 

 .41 Property Exempt from Levy                                6334

 

 

 .42 Interest on a Certain Portion of

 

     the Estate Tax Payable in

 

     Installments                                          6601(j)

 

 

 .43 Attorney Fee Awards                                      7430

 

 

 .44 Periodic Payments Received under

 

     Qualified Long-Term Care

 

     Insurance Contracts or under Certain

 

     Life Insurance Contracts                             7702B(d)

 

 

 SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

 

 

 SECTION 5. DRAFTING INFORMATION

 

 

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

This revenue procedure sets forth inflation-adjusted items for 2015.

SECTION 2. CHANGES

Section 1401 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (PPACA), added § 36B to the Internal Revenue Code. Section 36B creates a refundable tax credit ("the premium tax credit") for eligible individuals and families who purchase health insurance through a Health Insurance Marketplace. Taxpayers who meet certain criteria may have some or all of their estimated premium tax credit paid in advance directly to the insurance company to assist with the cost of monthly premiums. These amounts are called advance credit payments. The amount of a taxpayer's premium tax credit allowed for a taxable year is reduced by the amount of the advance credit payments made for the taxpayer during the year. If a taxpayer's advance credit payments for a taxable year exceed the premium tax credit allowed for the year, the taxpayer owes the excess as an additional tax, subject to a limitation in § 36B(f)(2)(B). The limitation amounts on the increase of tax for excess advance credit payments under § 36B(f)(2)(B) are adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS will issue future guidance as necessary to provide the applicable inflation adjusted items under section 36B(b)(3)(A)(ii) that are used to determine (1) a taxpayer's premium assistance amount under section 36B(b)(2), and (2) the required contribution percentage under section 36B(c)(2)(C)(i)(II) for determining the employer-sponsored minimum essential coverage.

SECTION 3. 2015 ADJUSTED ITEMS

.01 Tax Rate Tables. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the tax rate tables under § 1 are as follows:

 TABLE 1 -- Section 1(a) -- Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns

 

                       and Surviving Spouses

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 If Taxable Income Is:                             The Tax Is:

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Not over $18,450                             10% of the taxable income

 

 

 Over $18,450 but                             $1,845 plus 15% of

 

 not over $74,900                             the excess over $18,450

 

 

 Over $74,900 but                             $10,312.50 plus 25% of

 

 not over $151,200                            the excess over $74,900

 

 

 Over $151,200 but                            $29,387.50 plus 28% of

 

 not over $230,450230,450                     the excess over $151,200

 

 

 Over $230,450                                but $51,577.50 plus 33% of

 

 not over $411,500                            the excess over $230,450

 

 

 Over $411,500 but                            $111,324 plus 35% of

 

 not over $464,850                            the excess over $411,500

 

 

 Over $464,850                                $129,996.50 plus 39.6% of

 

                                              the excess over $464,850

 

 

             TABLE 2 -- Section 1(b) -- Heads of Households

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 If Taxable Income Is:                             The Tax Is:

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Not over $13,150                             10% of the taxable income

 

 

 Over $13,150 but                             $1,315 plus 15% of

 

 not over $50,200                             the excess over $13,150

 

 

 Over $50,200 but                             $6,872.50 plus 25% of

 

 not over $129,600                            the excess over $50,200

 

 

 Over $129,600 but                            $26,722.50 plus 28% of

 

 not over $209,850                            the excess over $129,600

 

 

 Over $209,850 but                            $49,192.50 plus 33% of

 

 not over $411,500                            the excess over $209,850

 

 

 Over $411,500                                $115,737 plus 35% of

 

 not over $439,000                            the excess over $411,500

 

 

 Over $439,000                                $125,362 plus 39.6% of

 

                                              the excess over $439,000

 

 

 TABLE 3 -- Section 1(c) -- Unmarried Individuals (other than Surviving

 

                              Spouses and Heads of Households)

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 If Taxable Income Is:                             The Tax Is:

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Not over $9,225                              10% of the taxable income

 

 

 Over $9,225 but                              $922.50 plus 15% of

 

 not over $37,450                             the excess over $9,225

 

 

 Over $37,450 but                             $5,156.25 plus 25% of

 

 not over $90,750                             the excess over $37,450

 

 

 Over $90,750 but                             $18,481.25 plus 28% of

 

 not over $189,300                            the excess over $90,750

 

 

 Over $189,300 but                            $46,075.25 plus 33% of

 

 not over $411,500                            the excess over $189,300

 

 

 Over $411,500                                $119,401.25 plus 35% of

 

 not over $413,200                            the excess over $411,500

 

 

 Over $413,200                                $119,996.25 plus 39.6% of

 

                                              the excess over $413,200

 

 

    TABLE 4 -- Section 1(d) -- Married Individuals Filing Separate

 

                              Returns

 

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 If Taxable Income Is:                             The Tax Is:

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Not over $9,225                              10% of the taxable income

 

 

 Over $9,225 but                              $922.50 plus 15% of

 

 not over $37,450                             the excess over $9,225

 

 

 Over $37,450 but                             $5,156.25 plus 25% of

 

 not over $75,600                             the excess over $37,450

 

 

 Over $75,600 but                             $14,693.75 plus 28% of

 

 not over $115,225                            the excess over $75,600

 

 

 Over $115,225 but                            $25,788.75 plus 33% of

 

 not over $205,750                            the excess over $115,225

 

 

 Over $205,750                                $55,662 plus 35% of

 

 not over $232,425                            the excess over $205,750

 

 

 Over $232,425                                $64,998.25 plus 39.6% of

 

                                              the excess over $232,425

 

 

              TABLE 5 -- Section 1(e) -- Estates and Trusts

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 If Taxable Income Is:                             The Tax Is:

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Not over $2,500                              15% of the taxable income

 

 

 Over $2,500 but                              $375 plus 25% of

 

 not over $5,900                              the excess over $2,500

 

 

 Over $5,900 but                              $1,225 plus 28% of

 

 not over $9,050                              the excess over $5,900

 

 

 Over $9,050 but                              $2,107 plus 33% of

 

 not over $12,300                             the excess over $9,050

 

 

 Over $12,300                                 $3,179.50 plus 39.6% of

 

                                              the excess over $12,300

 

 

.02 Unearned Income of Minor Children Taxed as if Parent's Income (the "Kiddie Tax"). For taxable years beginning in 2015, the amount in § 1(g)(4)(A)(ii)(I), which is used to reduce the net unearned income reported on the child's return that is subject to the "kiddie tax," is $1,050. This $1,050 amount is the same as the amount provided in § 63(c)(5)(A), as adjusted for inflation. The same $1,050 amount is used for purposes of § 1(g)(7) (that is, to determine whether a parent may elect to include a child's gross income in the parent's gross income and to calculate the "kiddie tax"). For example, one of the requirements for the parental election is that a child's gross income is more than the amount referenced in § 1(g)(4)(A)(ii)(I) but less than 10 times that amount; thus, a child's gross income for 2015 must be more than $1,050 but less than $10,500.

.03 Adoption Credit. For taxable years beginning in 2015, under § 23(a)(3) the credit allowed for an adoption of a child with special needs is $13,400. For taxable years beginning in 2015, under § 23(b)(1) the maximum credit allowed for other adoptions is the amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $13,400. The available adoption credit begins to phase out under § 23(b)(2)(A) for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $201,010 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $241,010 or more. (See section 3.19 of this revenue procedure for the adjusted items relating to adoption assistance programs.)

.04 Child Tax Credit. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the value used in § 24(d)(1)(B)(i) to determine the amount of credit under § 24 that may be refundable is $3,000.

.05 Hope Scholarship, American Opportunity, and Lifetime Learning Credits.

(1) For taxable years beginning in 2015, the Hope Scholarship Credit under § 25A(b)(1), as increased under § 25A(i) (the American Opportunity Tax Credit), is an amount equal to 100 percent of qualified tuition and related expenses not in excess of $2,000 plus 25 percent of those expenses in excess of $2,000, but not in excess of $4,000. Accordingly, the maximum Hope Scholarship Credit allowable under § 25A(b)(1) for taxable years beginning in 2015 is $2,500.

(2) For taxable years beginning in 2015, a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income in excess of $80,000 ($160,000 for a joint return) is used to determine the reduction under § 25A(d)(2) in the amount of the Hope Scholarship Credit otherwise allowable under § 25A(a)(1). For taxable years beginning in 2015, a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income in excess of $55,000 ($110,000 for a joint return) is used to determine the reduction under § 25A(d)(2) in the amount of the Lifetime Learning Credit otherwise allowable under § 25A(a)(2).

.06 Earned Income Credit.

(1) In general. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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. The threshold phaseout amounts and the completed phaseout amounts shown in the table below for married taxpayers filing a joint return include the increase provided in § 32(b)(3)(B)(i), as adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning in 2015.

                                   Number of Qualifying Children

 

                      _________________________________________________________

 

 

 Item                     One        Two      Three or More         None

 

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Earned Income         $9,880    $13,870      $13,870             $6,580

 

 Amount

 

 

 Maximum Amount

 

 of Credit             $3,359     $5,548       $6,242               $503

 

 

 Threshold Phaseout   $18,110    $18,110      $18,110             $8,240

 

 Amount (Single,

 

 Surviving Spouse,

 

 or Head of

 

 Household)

 

 

 Completed            $39,131    $44,454      $47,747            $14,820

 

 Phaseout

 

 Amount (Single,

 

 Surviving Spouse,

 

 or Head of

 

 Household)

 

 

 Threshold            $23,630    $23,630      $23,630            $13,750

 

 Phaseout

 

 Amount

 

 (Married

 

 Filing

 

 Jointly)

 

 

 Completed            $44,651    $49,974      $53,267            $20,330

 

 Phaseout

 

 Amount

 

 (Married

 

 Filing

 

 Jointly)

 

 

The instructions for the Form 1040 series provide tables showing the amount of the earned income credit for each type of taxpayer.

(2) Excessive Investment Income. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the earned income tax credit is not allowed under § 32(i) if the aggregate amount of certain investment income exceeds $3,400.

.07 Refundable Credit for Coverage Under a Qualified Health Plan. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the limitation on tax imposed under § 36B(f)(2)(B) for excess advance credit payments is determined using the following table:

 If the household income   The limitation amount      The limitation amount for

 

 (expressed as a percent   for unmarried individuals  all other taxpayers is:

 

 of poverty line) is:      (other than surviving

 

                           spouses and heads of

 

                           household) is:

 

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Less than 200%                     $300                        $600

 

 

 At least 200% but

 

 less than 300%                     $750                      $1,500

 

 

 At least 300% but

 

 less than 400%                   $1,250                      $2,500

 

 

.08 Rehabilitation Expenditures Treated as Separate New Building. For calendar year 2015, the per low-income unit qualified basis amount under § 42(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) is $6,600.

.09 Low-Income Housing Credit. For calendar year 2015, the amount 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) $2.30 multiplied by the State population, or (2) $2,680,000.

.10 Employee Health Insurance Expense of Small Employers. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the dollar amount in effect under § 45R(d)(3)(B) is $25,800. This amount is used under § 45R(c) for limiting the small employer health insurance credit and under § 45R(d)(1)(B) for determining who is an eligible small employer for purposes of the credit.

.11 Exemption Amounts for Alternative Minimum Tax. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the exemption amounts under § 55(d)(1) are:

 Joint Returns or                             $83,400

 

 Surviving Spouses

 

 

 Unmarried Individuals (other

 

 than Surviving Spouses)                      $53,600

 

 

 Married Individuals Filing

 

 Separate Returns                             $41,700

 

 

 Estates and Trusts                           $23,800

 

 

For taxable years beginning in 2015, under § 55(b)(1), the excess taxable income above which the 28 percent tax rate applies is:

 Married Individuals Filing

 

 Separate Returns                             $92,700

 

 

 Joint Returns, Unmarried

 

 Individuals (other than

 

 surviving spouses), and

 

 Estates and Trusts                         $185,400

 

 

For taxable years beginning in 2015, the amounts used under § 55(d)(3) to determine the phaseout of the exemption amounts are:

 Joint Returns or                           $158,900

 

 Surviving Spouses

 

 

 Unmarried Individuals (other               $119,200

 

 than Surviving Spouses)

 

 

 Married Individuals Filing Separate         $79,450

 

 Returns and Estates and Trusts

 

 

.12 Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption for a Child Subject to the "Kiddie Tax." For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 (1) the child's earned income for the taxable year, plus (2) $7,400.

.13 Transportation Mainline Pipeline Construction Industry Optional Expense Substantiation Rules for Payments to Employees under Accountable Plans. For calendar year 2015, an eligible employer may pay certain welders and heavy equipment mechanics an amount of up to $17 per hour for rig-related expenses that are deemed substantiated under an accountable plan if paid in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2002-41, 2002-1 C.B. 1098. If the employer provides fuel or otherwise reimburses fuel expenses, up to $11 per hour is deemed substantiated if paid under Rev. Proc. 2002-41.

.14 Standard Deduction.

(1) In general. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the standard deduction amounts under § 63(c)(2) are as follows:

 Filing Status                                  Standard Deduction

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns          $12,600

 

 and Surviving Spouses (§ 1(a))

 

 

 Heads of Households (§ 1(b))                   $9,250

 

 

 Unmarried Individuals (other

 

 than Surviving Spouses                             $6,300

 

 and Heads of Households)

 

 (§ 1(c))

 

 

 Married Individuals Filing Separate               $6,300

 

 Returns (§ 1(d))

 

 

(2) Dependent. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the standard deduction amount under § 63(c)(5) for an individual who may be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer cannot exceed the greater of (1) $1,050, or (2) the sum of $350 and the individual's earned income.

(3) Aged or blind. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the additional standard deduction amount under § 63(f) for the aged or the blind is $1,250. The additional standard deduction amount is increased to $1,550 if the individual is also unmarried and not a surviving spouse.

.15 Overall Limitation on Itemized Deductions. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the applicable amounts under § 68(b) are $309,900 in the case of a joint return or a surviving spouse, $284,050 in the case of a head of household, $258,250 in the case of an individual who is not married and who is not a surviving spouse or head of household, $154,950 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return.

.16 Cafeteria Plans. For the taxable years beginning in 2015, the dollar limitation under § 125(i) on voluntary employee salary reductions for contributions to health flexible spending arrangements is $2,550.

.17 Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 $130. The monthly limitation under § 132(f)(2)(B) regarding the fringe benefit exclusion amount for qualified parking is $250.

.18 Income from United States Savings Bonds for Taxpayers Who Pay Qualified Higher Education Expenses. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 $115,750 for joint returns and $77,200 for all other returns. The exclusion is completely phased out for modified adjusted gross income of $145,750 or more for joint returns and $92,200 or more for all other returns.

.19 Adoption Assistance Programs. For taxable years beginning in 2015, under § 137(a)(2), the amount that can be excluded from an employee's gross income for the adoption of a child with special needs is $13,400. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 an employer for qualified adoption expenses furnished pursuant to an adoption assistance program for other adoptions by the employee is $13,400. 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 $201,010 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $241,010 or more. (See section 3.03 of this revenue procedure for the adjusted items relating to the adoption credit.)

.20 Private Activity Bonds Volume Cap. For calendar year 2015, the amounts used under § 146(d)(1) to calculate the State ceiling for the volume cap for private activity bonds is the greater of (1) $100 multiplied by the State population, or (2) $301,515,000.

.21 Loan Limits on Agricultural Bonds. For calendar year 2015, the loan limit amount on agricultural bonds under § 147(c)(2)(A) for first-time farmers is $517,700.

.22 General Arbitrage Rebate Rules. For bond years ending in 2015, the amount of the computation credit determined under the permission to rely on § 1.148-3(d)(4) of the proposed Income Tax Regulations is $1,650.

.23 Safe Harbor Rules for Broker Commissions on Guaranteed Investment Contracts or Investments Purchased for a Yield Restricted Defeasance Escrow. For calendar year 2015, under § 1.148-5(e)(2)(iii)(B)(1), a broker's commission or similar fee for the acquisition of a guaranteed investment contract or investments purchased for a yield restricted defeasance escrow is reasonable if (1) the amount of the fee that the issuer treats as a qualified administrative cost does not exceed the lesser of (A) $39,000, and (B) 0.2 percent of the computational base (as defined in § 1.148-5(e)(2)(iii)(B) (2)) or, if more, $4,000; and (2) the issuer does not treat more than $110,000 in brokers' commissions or similar fees as qualified administrative costs for all guaranteed investment contracts and investments for yield restricted defeasance escrows purchased with gross proceeds of the issue.

.24 Personal Exemption.

(1) For taxable years beginning in 2015, the personal exemption amount under § 151(d) is $4,000.

(2) Phaseout. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the personal exemption phases out for taxpayers with the following adjusted gross income amounts:

                                         AGI -- Beginning       AGI -- Completed

 

 Filing Status                           of Phaseout           Phaseout

 

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 Married Individuals Filing                $309,900              $432,400

 

 Joint Returns and

 

 Surviving Spouses

 

 (§ 1(a))

 

 

 Heads of Households                       $284,050              $406,550

 

 (§ 1(b))

 

 

 Unmarried Individuals (other              $258,250              $380,750

 

 than Surviving

 

 Spouses and Heads of

 

 Households) (§ 1(c))

 

 

 Married Individuals Filing                $154,950              $216,200

 

 Separate

 

 Returns (§ 1(d))

 

 

.25 Eligible Long-Term Care Premiums. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 Close of the

 

 Taxable Year                                    Limitation on Premiums

 

 ______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 40 or less                                             $380

 

 More than 40 but not more than 50                      $710

 

 More than 50 but not more than 60                    $1,430

 

 More than 60 but not more than 70                    $3,800

 

 More than 70                                         $4,750

 

 

.26 Medical Savings Accounts.

(1) Self-only coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 $2,200 and not more than $3,300, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits do not exceed $4,450.

(2) Family coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the term "high deductible health plan" means, for family coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $4,450 and not more than $6,650, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits do not exceed $8,150.

.27 Interest on Education Loans. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the $2,500 maximum deduction for interest paid on qualified education loans under § 221 begins to phase out under § 221(b)(2)(B) for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $65,000 ($130,000 for joint returns), and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $80,000 or more ($160,000 or more for joint returns).

.28 Treatment of Dues Paid to Agricultural or Horticultural Organizations. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 $160.

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

(1) Low cost article. For taxable years beginning in 2015, for purposes of defining the term "unrelated trade or business" for certain exempt organizations under § 513(h)(2), "low cost articles" are articles costing $10.50 or less.

(2) Other insubstantial benefits. For taxable years beginning in 2015, under § 170, the $5, $25, and $50 guidelines in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 90-12, 1990-1 C.B. 471 (as amplified by Rev. Proc. 92-49, 1992-1 C.B. 987, and modified by Rev. Proc. 92-102, 1992-2 C.B. 579), for the value of insubstantial benefits that may be received by a donor in return for a contribution, without causing the contribution to fail to be fully deductible, are $10.50, $52.50, and $105, respectively.

.30 Expatriation to Avoid Tax. For calendar year 2015, under § 877A(g)(1)(A), unless an exception under § 877A(g)(1)(B) applies, an individual is a covered expatriate if the individual's "average annual net income tax" under § 877(a)(2)(A) for the five taxable years ending before the expatriation date is more than $160,000.

.31 Tax Responsibilities of Expatriation. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the amount that would be includible in the gross income of a covered expatriate by reason of § 877A(a)(1) is reduced (but not below zero) by $690,000.

.32 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For taxable years beginning in 2015, the foreign earned income exclusion amount under § 911(b)(2)(D)(i) is $100,800.

.33 Unified Credit Against Estate Tax. For an estate of any decedent dying during calendar year 2015, the basic exclusion amount is $5,430,000 for determining the amount of the unified credit against estate tax under § 2010.

.34 Valuation of Qualified Real Property in Decedent's Gross Estate. For an estate of a decedent dying in calendar year 2015, 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 for purposes of the estate tax cannot exceed $1,100,000.

.35 Annual Exclusion for Gifts.

(1) For calendar year 2015, the first $14,000 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 2015, the first $147,000 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.

.36 Tax on Arrow Shafts. For calendar year 2015, the tax imposed under § 4161(b)(2)(A) on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used in the manufacture of certain arrows is $0.49 per shaft.

.37 Passenger Air Transportation Excise Tax. For calendar year 2015, the tax under § 4261(b)(1) on the amount paid for each domestic segment of taxable air transportation is $4. For calendar year 2015, the tax under § 4261(c)(1) on any amount paid (whether within or without the United States) for any international air transportation, if the transportation begins or ends in the United States, generally is $17.70. Under § 4261(c)(3), however, a lower amount applies under § 4261(c)(1) to a domestic segment beginning or ending in Alaska or Hawaii, and the tax applies only to departures. For calendar year 2015, the rate is $8.90.

.38 Reporting Exception for Certain Exempt Organizations with Nondeductible Lobbying Expenditures. For taxable years beginning in 2015, 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 $111 or less.

.39 Notice of Large Gifts Received from Foreign Persons. For taxable years beginning in 2015, § 6039F authorizes the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service to require recipients of gifts from certain foreign persons to report these gifts if the aggregate value of gifts received in the taxable year exceeds $15,601.

.40 Persons Against Whom a Federal Tax Lien Is Not Valid. For calendar year 2015, 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 $1,520, or (2) a mechanic's lienor under § 6323(b)(7) who repaired or improved certain residential property if the contract price with the owner is not more than $7,590.

.41 Property Exempt from Levy. For calendar year 2015, 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) cannot exceed $9,080. The value of property exempt from levy under § 6334(a)(3) (books and tools necessary for the trade, business, or profession of the taxpayer) cannot exceed $4,540.

.42 Interest on a Certain Portion of the Estate Tax Payable in Installments. For an estate of a decedent dying in calendar year 2015, 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 $1,470,000.

.43 Attorney Fee Awards. For fees incurred in calendar year 2015, the attorney fee award limitation under § 7430(c)(1)(B)(iii) is $200 per hour.

.44 Periodic Payments Received under Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts or under Certain Life Insurance Contracts. For calendar year 2015, 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 $330.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

.01 General Rule. Except as provided in section 4.02, this revenue procedure applies to taxable years beginning in 2015.

.02 Calendar Year Rule. This revenue procedure applies to transactions or events occurring in calendar year 2015 for purposes of sections 3.08 (rehabilitation expenditures treated as separate new building), 3.09 (low-income housing credit), 3.13 (transportation mainline pipeline construction industry optional expense substantiation rules for payments to employees under accountable plans), 3.20 (private activity bonds volume cap), 3.21 (loan limits on agricultural bonds), 3.22 (general arbitrage rebate rules), 3.23 (safe harbor rules for broker commissions on guaranteed investment contracts or investments purchased for a yield restricted defeasance escrow), 3.30 (expatriation to avoid tax), 3.34 (valuation of qualified real property in decedent's gross estate), 3.35 (annual exclusion for gifts), 3.36 (tax on arrow shafts), 3.37 (passenger air transportation excise tax), 3.40 (persons against whom a federal tax lien is not valid), 3.41 (property exempt from levy), 3.42 (interest on a certain portion of the estate tax payable in installments), 3.43 (attorney fee awards), and 3.44 (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 William Ruane of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting). For further information regarding this revenue procedure, contact Mr. Ruane at (202) 317-4718 (not a toll-free call).

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