Never too early to organize your tax documents for 2019

Although the tax deadline for filing and paying 2019 federal income taxes is still months away, it’s never too early to get organized.

On a yearly basis (usually in November) the IRS adjusts as many as 40 tax provisions for inflation. This is done to prevent what is called “bracket creep,” when people are pushed into higher income tax brackets or have reduced value from credits and deductions due to inflation, instead of any increase in real income. In some cases the changes may seem minimal, but hey – a penny saved is a penny earned!

The IRS used to use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate the past year’s inflation. However, with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the IRS will now use the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI) to adjust income thresholds, deduction amounts, and credit values accordingly. Below see the updated tax brackets for 2019.

Income Tax Brackets and Rates

In 2019, the income limits for all tax brackets and all filers will be adjusted for inflation and will be as follows (Tables 1). The top marginal income tax rate of 37 percent will hit taxpayers with taxable income of $510,300 and higher for single filers and $612,350 and higher for married couples filing jointly.

Table 1. Tax Brackets and Rates, 2019

Rate	For Unmarried Individuals, Taxable Income Over	For Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns, Taxable Income Over	For Heads of Households, Taxable Income Over
10%	$0	$0	$0
12%	$9,700	$19,400	$13,850
22%	$39,475	$78,950	$52,850
24%	$84,200	$168,400	$84,200
32%	$160,725	$321,450	$160,700
35%	$204,100	$408,200	$204,100
37%	$510,300	$612,350	$510,300

Standard Deduction and Personal Exemption

The standard deduction for single filers will increase by $200 and by $400 for married couples filing jointly (Table 2).

The personal exemption for 2019 remains eliminated.

Table 2. 2019 Standard Deduction and Personal Exemption

Filing Status	Deduction Amount
Single	$12,200
Married Filing Jointly	$24,400
Head of Household	$18,350

 

How do I file a tax extension for 2019?

Today is the deadline for filing and paying 2018 federal income taxes.  Any filings after today that are not on extension will be considered late and subject to penalties and interest assessments.   Remember if you mail in your return, it must be postmarked today, so make sure that the mailing service you are using whether it be the US Postal service drop-off or other have a collection time that will meet the April 15th postmark deadline.

In the event that you cannot file your tax return by the deadline, you need to file for a tax extension, which is also subject to the above April 15th postmark deadline.  To get a filling a tax extension, you will need to submit Form 4868(Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return).

The IRS also allows you to get an extension by paying all or part of your estimated income tax due and indicate that the payment is for an extension using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or a credit or debit card.  This way you won’t have to file a separate extension form and you will receive a confirmation number for your records.

It is important to note that, an extension to file will give you six more months to file your taxes, until Oct. 15. It does not however, give you extra time to pay your taxes.  You still must estimate and pay what you owe by April 15.  You will be charged interest on any amount not paid by the deadline.  Below are the 2018 Income Tax Brackets to assist you estimate how much money you will need to send (if any) along with your Form 4868.

2018 Income Tax Brackets and Standard Deduction Rates

Table 1. 2018 Income Tax Brackets and Rates

 

Table 2. 2018 Personal Exemption and Standard Deduction

The personal exemption for 2018 is eliminated