The Anniston Star ● Sunday, January 26, 2013 ● Page 6E
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY BANKRUPTCIES
DEATHS Trizton Amos, Heflin Ken Austin, Oxford Roy Tifton “Tip” Barker, Oxford Jacaline Brooks, Roanoke Herman Broome, Alexandria Braylee Jae “Glitzy” Brown, Oxford James Ronald Brown Jr., Ashland Richard “Moose” Bryant, Anniston Earnest Cagle, Woodland Rodney Joe “Bull” Campbell, Wellington Steve Cantrell, Woodland Eugene Chumley, Anniston Brenden Clayton, Heflin Willie Lockridge Trantham Cooper, Anniston Deborah Driskell, Anniston Earl Eugene Franklin Jr., Heflin Joyce E. Gable, Anniston Lavonne Gooden, Talladega Willis O. Gortney, Ashland Patricia Kennedy Hall, Anniston James Robert “Bob” Hollingsworth, McCalla Frank D. Horn, Lineville Martha Ray Hubbard, Zacharay, La. Jennifer Lynne Shuffitt Humphries, Saks Doris Kilgore Jennings, Jacksonville Rozenia “Tissie” Jennings, Anniston Martin Alexander Johansen, Piedmont Merilyn S. Lewis, Anniston
Joe E. Mattox, Ashland William Howard McDonald, Anniston Gladys Larue McGatha, Spring Garden Vivian McKinney, Talladega Ray C. McMurray, Piedmont Ret. CSM James M. Middleton Jr., Anniston James Thomas Miller, Anniston Steven Van Mills, Anniston Polly Allen Molock, Piedmont Jerry A. Montgomery Sr., Cleveland, Ohio David Homer Myer Sr., Jacksonville Roy Russell Pannell, Georgia Billy Ray Paris, Anniston Grace Parker, Oxford Doris Phillips, Anniston Wanda Alford Ray, Altoona Clyde Lee Rhinehart, Rock Run Sally Melinda Schroeder, Piedmont Eddie Smart, Piedmont Van Strickland, Centre Jimmie Lucile “Lucy” Thompson, Ohatchee Betty Jeanette Treadwell, Roanoke William “Tot” Twymon, Talladega Jonathan Silas Wade, Munford Joseph Timothy “Ty” Wilcox II, Auburn Duma Albert “D.A.” Yates, Lineville
RATE OF BANKRUPTCIES 1212 1010 8
8
6
6
4
4
11
10
4
22
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year period. During that time, debtors are prohibited from starting or continuing collection efforts.
MARRIAGE LICENSES • Joseph Martin Smith of Centre to Misty Leanne McFry of Centre • Anandis Kenthe Woolf of Anniston to Lashonta Qwinnette Phillips of Anniston • Carroll Denver Anthony Jr. of Weaver to Cheryl Geneanne Pannell of Weaver • Herschel LeGrant Lewis of Anniston to
Katrice Arnette Williams of Anniston • Stevin Bryan Haynes of Anniston to Jessica Dawn Wenzlaff of Anniston • Seth Mitchell Watkins of Anniston to Tabitha Jean Bence of Anniston • Jason Paul Haynes of Jacksonville to Julie Ann Parris of Jacksonville
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS
Here are food service establishments recently inspected by the Calhoun County Health Department, along with scores. A score of 100 indicates the inspector found no deficiencies. Potentially hazardous deficiencies (four- or five-point demerit items) are noted. These must Chapter 7 be corrected immediately and inspectors say they are often corrected while the inspection is • Joshua A. Haynes, Whites Gap Road underway. Restaurants earning below 70 must Southeast, Jacksonville raise their scores within seven days or face • Waco Clementa Rutledge, Louise Drive, closure. Jacksonville • Justin P. Brown and Amanda L. Brown, NO MAJOR DEMERITS Louise Drive, Weaver • James L. Mallicoat, 3rd Avenue North- • America’s Best Value Inn, 3 Recreation Drive, Oxford - 100. east, Jacksonville • Brandon Lee Paeltz and Amanda Paeltz, • Comfort Inn, 138 Elm St., Oxford - 98. • Crimson Tiger, 1001 Noble St., Anniston - 91. Weatherbrook Lane, Anniston • John D. Downs II, Pomotaw Trail, Annis- • Discount Food Mart, 140 U.S. 278 Bypass, E., Piedmont - 98. ton • Shurwood C. Hurst, Sunny Eve Road, • Elks Lodge 189, 1019 S. Noble St., Anniston - 95. • Elks Lodge 189 (Mobile Unit), 1019 S. Noble St., Anniston Anniston - 95. Chapter 13 • Jack’s Family Restaurant, 4984 U.S. 78, W., • Kenneth Elston, Walnut Avenue, Annis- Oxford - 100. • Kangaroo Express (Pantry), 851 Lagarde Ave., ton • Jason Clemmer, Ross Lake Road, Wel- Anniston - 95. • Kangaroo Express (Pantry), 1601 Alabama 21, lington • Charles G. McInnish Jr., Fish Hatchery, S., Oxford - 99. • Nueva Taqueria Michoacan, 229 Hamric Drive, Eastaboga Oxford - 95. • P T Food Mart, 1528 Greenbrier Road, AnnisWILLS PROBATED ton - 95. • Rudolph Jordan Jr. • Charles B. Fisher • Thai One On, 911 Noble St., Anniston - 95. • The Office, 1016 Noble St., Anniston - 99. • Harold Mitchell Jr. Cochran • Ida Nomalene • Triple C Chevron, 5165 Alabama 204, Jacksonville - 97. • Nellie Joyce Rib- Sheffield • Westwood Wee Care Center, Alexandria - 100. ich • Hazel Goodwin • Una Faye Houk • Marian P. Crumb • Winn-Dixie (Produce), 4920 U.S. 78, W., Oxford Kirby • Berlin A. Flowers - 98. • John Robert • Florence Barr Arbuckle Matteson EDITOR’S NOTE The following bankruptcies declared by Calhoun County residents were recorded by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
The material inside the Sunday Record is recorded by The Annis• Jayda Elaine • Geni Lynn Smith ton Star from various institutions and Adams and Dave and Andrew J. government offices. Anton Adams Jr. Smith The public records are published
DIVORCES
0
52 weeks ago
Last week
This week
CATTLE SALE
Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 1353 compared to 1095 last week. Receipts a year ago 1012.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 220.00 to 265.00; 300-400 lbs. 202.00 to 240.00; 400-500 lbs. 200.00 to 220.00; 500-600 lbs. 167.00 to 185.00; 600700 lbs. 140.00 to 168.00. Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. Too Few; 300-400 lbs. 190.00 to 207.00; 400-500 lbs. 160.00 to 180.00; 500600 lbs. 153.00 to 175.00; 600-700 lbs. 135.00 to 160.00.
SLAUGHTER CLASSES:
Cows: Breakers 79.00 to 84.00; Boners 81.00 to 87.00; Lean 77.00 to 83.00. Bulls: Normal Dressing 54-58% 98.00 to 104.00; High Dressing >58% 106.00 to 110.00; Low Dressing <54% 92.00 to 94.00.
INCORPORATIONS
• Davis Mechanical LLC • Shooters Alley LLC • Kingdom Brothers Enterprises LLC • Mt. Cheaha Eco Smokes LLC • BOA Marketing Group Inc. • Kingdom Foods Inc. • Iglesias De Dios Pentecostal Fuente De Vida • Coldwater Mountain Auction & Liquidations Inc.
Dissolved • TrayCo Inc.
ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ AnnistonStar
as they appeared on the documents obtained by the newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at igodwin@annistonstar.comm.
ARRESTS The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and charges are obtained from public records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Anniston The following felony arrests were reported by the Anniston Police Department (addresses not provided) during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • David Lee Kirby, 23: possession of burglar’s tools.
• Roderick Adesanya, 24: second-degree receiving stolen property. • Brandon Terrell Adesanya, 25: first-degree possession of marijuana, second-degree receiving stolen property. • Vahkeem Hason Lewis, 23: third-degree burglary. • Michael Patrick O’Donnell, 42: second-degree theft. • Michael Gardner Boone, 23: second-degree receiving stolen property. • Edriecus Lashon Elston, 32:
domestic violence. • James Matthew Woodrow, 37: possession of a controlled substance. • Curtis Lajohntae Hucherson, 21: first-degree possession of marijuana. • Melissa Diane Baldwin, 24: possession of a controlled substance, hold for other agency. • Brandon Chas Butler, 31: first-degree possession of marijuana. • Traci Gail Johnson Morgan, 38: first-degree theft. • Danielle Lyana Nail, 32: obstruct-
ing justice by using a false I.D. • April Dawn Qian, 33: possession of a controlled substance. • Marla Antoinette Blake, 24: first-degree theft.
Calhoun County The following felony arrests were reported by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Lamar Willingham, 39, of Anniston: first-degree theft of property.
• Nina Rester Skinner, 33, of Jacksonville: failure to appear in court. • Andrew Sean Holt, 35, of Jacksonville: failure to appear in court. • Cheryl Stacy Howell, 46, of Weaver: failure to appear in court. • John Patrick Buckner, 44, of Anniston: probation violation. • Melissa Diane Baldwin, 24, of Oxford: possession/receiving a controlled substance. • Tony Lamar Vasser, 32, of Attalla: first-degree burglary. • Victor Burns III, 24, of Anniston: probation violation.
BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
Anniston The following property crimes were reported to the Anniston Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries • Residence, 500 block of Glen Addie Avenue: televisions, game consoles, tablet computer, laptop computer. • Residence, 500 block of East 20th Street: laptop computer, game console. • Commercial location, 1200 block
of Front Street: tools, reel gripper, gears, brass slingers. • Residence, 2700 block of Simpson Street: laptop computer, paint, hardener. • Residence, 200 block of Cunningham Drive: televisions, game console/accessories, washing machine, computers. • Residence, 1900 block of Duncan Avenue: game console. • Residence, 1600 block of Mulberry Avenue: firearm. • Residence, 2700 block of Moore Avenue: copper wire. • Residence, 5000 block of Buggy Lane: televisions, hair clippers.
axle trailer. • Parking lot, 300 block of Greenbrier Dear Road: theft of services. (Vehicle taken with payment of impound fee.) • Convenience store, 900 block of West 18th Street: air conditioner. • Residence, 300 block of Mosby Drive: trash can, gas can, aluminum plates. • Residence, 1500 block of Green Meadow Road: lawn mower. • Residence, 4200 block of Springhill Drive: utility trailer. • Department store, 5500 block of McClellan Boulevard: merchandise. (Recovered 01-22-2014) • Residence, 100 block of East 49th Street: tire rack for Hummer, tools. Thefts • Residence, 800 block of Old Cold• Residence, 3600 block of Hay- water Road: jewelry. good Street: lawnmowers, single
Auto-related thefts • Parking lot, 1600 block of Warrior Road: cash. • Parking lot, 5700 block of Alabama 202: 1991 Chevrolet Silverado. • Parking lot, 1900 block of Christine Avenue: purse, cash, debit/credit cards. (Some items recovered 01-18-2014) • Residence, 1800 block of Cobb Avenue: purse, wallet, debit/credit cards, personal I.D.
Calhoun County
The following property crimes were reported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries
• Residence, Edgar Drive, Glencoe: plumbing fixtures, light fixture, television. • Residence, Short Street, Oxford: laptop computers, game console, games, video camera, ammunition. • Residence, Cottaquilla Road, Anniston: game camera, ladder rack for truck, four-wheeler, deer stand, toolbox. • Residence, U.S. 78 East, Oxford: tools, television, air compressor, DVD player.
Thefts
• Residence, Roy Webb Road, Jacksonville: cash.
Auto-related thefts
• Street, unknown location of Choccolocco Road, Calhoun County: cash.
FORECLOSURES • Lynn C. Houston and David R. Houston, Golden Springs subdivision, 4th addition, lot 2. • Pamela M. Welch, Plainview subdivision, 2nd addition, block 2, lot 1.
• Christopher Densmore and Sandra Kiker, Miller Estates, 1st addition, lot 47. • Jesse E. Wood and Misty Wood, Emily Trace, lot 1.
• Shannon D. Cupp and Jennifer Cupp, a parcel of land in section 18, township 15, range 8. • Christopher H. Wilson and Connie Wilson, Vaughn’s subdivision, addition lots 78-185,
lots 156-158. • Sondra K. Wade, Jo-Dell subdivision, lot 1. • Robert M. Thompson and Elizabeth M. Thompson, Buckelew Estates, lot 18.
JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIR WE BUY GOLD SILVER & DIAMONDS
DIAMOND DEPOT
Snow St., Oxford - Across from Cheaha Bank • (256) 365-2087
The Anniston Star
Sunday, January 26, 2014 Page 7E
SUNDAY RECORD CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar PROPERTY TRANSFERRED
• Deborah S. McComb and Harris McComb to Crosen Medical LLC, a parcel of land in section 29, township 16, range 8, $10. • Ralph L. Clark-Estate to Garrett Burgess, Spring Valley subdivision, 1st addition, block 6, lot 9, $10. • Nancy Bennett-Estate to Kay Hubbard, Blue Pond subdivision, area 1, block E, lots 12 and 13; area 2, block K, lot 1, $10. • Garrett C. Burgess and Kristi Burgess to Stephen Mann and Tiffanie Mann, Eagles’ Landing, 2nd addition, lot 56, $295,000. • Shelby J. McDaniel to Snow Properties LLC, Anniston Land Co., 1st division, block 14, lot 13, $1. • Jimmy Lowell Cunningham, Donald Ray Cunningham, Rita Cunningham Parris and Grace Virginia Campbell to Stephen D. Findley, a parcel of land addressed 308 Alexandria Road Southwest, Jacksonville, $22,500. • Su K. Conner to Wendell Gene Parris, a parcel of land in section 33, township 13, range 8, $10. • Eunice Juanita Hall to Zonna Marie Victory, Tracy Lynn Kindley and Eunice Juanita Hall, a parcel of land in section 8, township 16, range 8, $10. • Housing & Urban Development to Crystal Haynes Curles, Choccolocco Estates, lot 13, $10. • Earl Bearden to Keegan Singleton and Jennifer Singleton, a parcel of land in section 8, township 16, range 7, $10. • John Thomas Givens to Jack S. Trice, K. Gerald Kirkpatrick, Vernon Young and Brian Young, Crimson Tide Drive, lots 5-7, $10.
• John Samuel Connell and Angela Dee Smith to LeeAnne Vondracek, a parcel of land addressed 27 Lanier Place, Anniston, $10. • Rick Crowson and Pamela Crowson to Brentt Crowson, Anniston City Land Co., block 443, lot 6. • Terry W. Batey and Lynnis E. Batey to Terry W. Batey and Paula A. Batey, a parcel of land addressed 108 South Church Avenue, Piedmont, $10. • Ethelena Russell McNeal to Jionel E. Pierre, City of Anniston, McMillian addition, block 8, lots 12 and 13, $1,700. • Bank of America to Housing & Urban Development, Anniston Homestead & Fruitgrowers Assoc., lot 1921. • Keel Residential Rentals LLC to CE & MS LLC-Series 1, a parcel of land in section 28, township 16, range 8, $110,000. • Keel Development Co. Inc. to CE & MS LLC-Series 11, a parcel of land in section 27, township 14, range 7, $140,000. • Keel Commercial Rentals LLC to CE & MS-Series 2, Blue Pond subdivision, area 2, block G, lots 1 and 2, $138,000. • Keel Commercial Rentals LLC to CE & MS-Series 4, a parcel of land in section 29, township 15, range 8, $200,000. • Keel Commercial Rentals LLC to CE & MS-Series 3, Blue Pond subdivision, block G, lots 2 and 3, $825,000. • Keel Commercial Rentals LLC to CE & MS-Series 6, a parcel of land addressed 204 Short Street, Oxford, $100,000. • Edwin A. Keel to CE & MS-Series 7, Cider
Ridge subdivision, lots 1 and 2, $60,000. • Edwin A. Keel to CE & MS-Series 13, Blue Pond subdivision, area 1, block F, lots 1 and 2, $125,000. • Edwin Anderson Keel to CE & MS-Series 5, Blue Pond subdivision, area 1, block E, lot 7, $100,000. • Spartan Value Investors LLC to Crystal M. Longworth, Cheaha Acres, 2nd addition, block 6, lots 17 and 18, $10. • Gerald F. Woodruff Jr. and Beatrice P. Woodruff to Robert W. Orchid and Carolyn Orchid, a parcel of land in section 16, township 16, range 8, $10. • Gerald F. Woodruff Jr. and Beatrice P. Woodruff to Robert W. Orchid and Carolyn Orchid, a parcel of land in section 16, township 16, range 8, $10. • Jason Z. Scogin and Valarie Hulsey Scogin to Winfred H. Grimes and Mary Jo Grimes, a parcel of land addressed 207 Calhoun Street, Piedmont, $10. • Freedom Mortgage Corp. to Housing & Urban Development, Mountainside Village, lot 9, $1. • CitiMortgage Inc. to Fannie Mae, Lake Park subdivision, block 2, lot 3, $500. • Mary L. Shaver and Philip James Shaver to Ashley S. Cunningham, Cedar Hills subdivision, block A, lot 9, $10. • Len Ogle and Annette Ogle to Ridge Drive Land Trust, Cloverdale, Saks addition, block 10, lots 3 and 4, $10,600. • Flora Reed to Flora Reed and Marcus Reed, West Anniston Land Co., block 89, lot 22, $10. • Billy McCartney to Javier Lopez, Roos-
evelt Heights, block 8, lot 9, $10. • Javier Lopez to Francisco Martinez and Francisco Ulisses Martinez, Roosevelt Heights, block 8, lot 9, $10. • P.D. Pritchett Construction Co. LLC to Taylor Enterprises Inc., Brownwood subdivision, 1st addition, block D, lot 8, $1,750. • G6 Hospitality Property LLC to Shree Om Sai LLC, S.E. Boozer Farm, block 15, lot 11A, $1,400,000. • Michael R. Moore and Debra J. Moore to Carolyn E. Monk, Greystone Manor, lot 43, $163,000. • Betty Jean Pettus to Angel Hayes Poulin, Emma F. Conner’s subdivision, block 6, lots 13 and 14, $10. • Nellie Dean Boozer to Mark Sistrunk, a parcel of land in section 16, township 14, range 9, $10. • Regina Tisdale to Brian Pruitt and Christine Pruitt, a parcel of land in section 14, township 13, range 8, $10. • JPMorgan Chase Bank to Tony Porco, Kara-Lynn Heights, block 4, lots 16 and 17, $34,000. • Radio Building LLC to J.B. Freeman and Rebecca Duke, Quintard Tower Condominium, lot 401, $10. • Quintard Tower LLC to J.B. Freeman and Rebecca Duke, Quintard Towes Condominium, lot 401, $10. • Jimmy Dowdey and Sheila Dowdey to Eric Wagoner, Irene Fleming subdivision, block 2, lot 7, $10.
Higher-income Americans hit hardest by tax changes GIVE ME A BREAK
BY CAROLE FELDMAN Associated Press
A new top tax rate, higher Medicare taxes and the phaseout of exemptions could mean higher tax bills for wealthier Americans this year. Legally wed same-sex couples, meanwhile, may find the true meaning of the marriage penalty. All taxpayers will have a harder time taking medical deductions. In other changes for the 2013 tax year, the alternative minimum tax has been patched, permanently, to prevent more middle-income people from being drawn in, and there’s a simpler way to deduct your home office. Tax rate tables and the standard deduction have been adjusted for inflation, as has the maximum contribution to retirement accounts, including 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts, or IRAs. Also, the filing season is being delayed because of the two-week partial government shutdown last October. People will be able to start filing returns Jan. 31, 10 days later than the original Jan. 21 date. “People who are used to filing early in order to get a quick refund are just going to have to wait,” said Barbara Weltman, a contributing editor to the tax guide “J.K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax 2014.” No change in the April 15 deadline, however. That’s set by law and will remain in place, the IRS says.
High-income hike The tax legislation passed at the start of 2013 permanently extended the George W. Bush-era tax cuts for most people but added a top marginal tax rate of 39.6 percent for those at higher incomes — $400,000 for single filers, $450,000 for married couples filing jointly and $425,000 for heads of household. On top of that, higher-income taxpayers could see their itemized deductions and personal exemptions phased out and pay higher capital gains taxes — 20 percent for some taxpayers. And there are new taxes for them to help pay
Expired tax credits, deductions of 2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photos: Associated Press
for the new health care law. There are different income thresholds for each of these new taxes. An additional 0.9 percent Medicare tax, for example, kicks in on earnings over $250,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for singles and heads of household. Same for a tax on investment income. But the phaseout of personal exemptions and deductions doesn’t begin until $300,000 for married couples and $250,000 for singles. Confused? “The complexities of the tax code are only affecting those of us trying to read it,” National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said in an interview. Tax software makes a lot of those complexities invisible to most people. As a result, taxpayers might not realize they’re being helped by a wide array of deductions and credits. “They have no idea of the benefits they are getting through the tax code,” she said.
Who’s filing The IRS processed more than 147 million tax returns in 2013, down slightly from the previous year. More than 109 million taxpayers received refunds, which averaged $2,744, also down from 2012. The IRS is continuing to offer its Free File option,
which is available to taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $58,000 or less. These taxpayers can use brand-name software to file their taxes at no cost. The agency also offers Free File Fillable Forms , which does basic calculations but does not offer the guidance of a software package, to taxpayers of all incomes.
Medical expenses Taxpayers will still be able to deduct their medical expenses, but it will be more difficult for many to qualify. The threshold for deducting medical expenses now stands at 10 percent of adjusted gross income, up from 7.5 percent. But for those older than 65, the old rate applies until 2017.
Home office There is now a simplified option for taking a home office deduction. “You can claim this deduction for the business use of a part of your home only if you use that part of your home regularly and exclusively,” the IRS says. But, if you sit at your kitchen table and check work email, it doesn’t qualify. For tax year 2011, the most recent year for which numbers are available, more than 3.3 million people claimed nearly $10 billion in home office deductions. Most taxpayers claiming the
deduction are self-employed, according to the IRS. Until this year, you had to figure actual expenses for a home office, according to Weltman. “Starting with 2013 returns, if you’re eligible for the deduction, you can take a standard deduction of $5 per square foot, up to 300 square feet,” she said. The maximum deduction is $1,500.
Same-sex marriage Beginning this year, samesex couples who are legally married will for the most part have to choose married filing jointly or married filing separately when doing their tax returns, even if they live in a state that does not recognize gay marriage. Many of these couples will now be hit by the so-called marriage penalty, especially if both spouses work. For example, with their incomes combined, they might hit the threshold for the extra Medicare taxes or the beginning of the phaseout of deductions and the standard exemption. In addition, health insurance purchased from an employer for a same-sex spouse can be paid pretax and excluded from income. Same-sex married couples living in states that don’t recognize gay marriage most likely will have to file state returns as singles.
YOUR TAX RETURN, BY THE NUMBERS Numbers to know when filing your 2013 tax returns, according to the IRS: PERSONAL EXEMPTION: Each personal or dependent exemption is worth $3,900. STANDARD DEDUCTION: • $12,200 for married couples filing a joint return, and qualifying widows and widowers. • $6,100 for singles and married individuals filing separate returns. • $8,950 for heads of household. Taxpayers who are 65 or older or who are blind may be eligible for a higher standard deduction. PHASEOUT OF PERSONAL EXEMPTION AND ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS: Begins at $250,000 for individuals, $275,000 for heads of household, $300,000 for married filing jointly.
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX THRESHOLD: • $80,800 for a married couple filing a joint return, and qualifying widows and widowers. • $51,900 for singles and heads of household. EARNED INCOME CREDIT: To qualify, income can be no greater than: • $46,227 ($51,567 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children. Maximum credit is $6,044. • $43,038 ($48,378 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children. Maximum credit is $5,372. • $37,870 ($43,210 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child. Maximum credit is $3,250. • $14,340 ($19,680 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children.
Maximum credit is $487. Investment income cannot be more than $3,300 for the year. CAPITAL GAINS: • 0 percent if in the 10 or 15 percent income tax brackets. • 15 percent top rate if taxed below the 39.6 percent rate. • 20 percent if taxed at the 39.6 percent rate. ESTATE TAX: Exclusion of $5.25 million for individual estates of people who died in 2013. IRA CONTRIBUTIONS: Traditional IRA contribution limit is $5,500. Additional contribution if over 50, $1,000. DEFERRED RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS: Contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b) is $17,500. Additional contribution if over 50, $5,500.
Consider yourself forewarned. If you didn’t take advantage of a wide array of tax breaks last year, it looks like you’ll be out of luck in 2014. The Congressional Research Service says there are dozens of expiring “tax extenders.” Most, but not all, were put in place or given new life as part of legislation passed by Congress at the end of 2012 to avert the fiscal cliff and all its automatic tax increases and spending cuts. While the Bush-era tax cuts were made permanent, many deductions and credits were given short lifespans. “You’ve got all these regularly expiring provisions,” said Mark Luscombe, principal tax analyst for CCH. “Congress seems to always get around to renewing them at least retroactively,” he said. But there’s no guarantee. Among expired tax credits and deductions: HOUSING • Legislation allowing homeowners to exclude up to $2 million in mortgage forgiveness from taxable income was not extended beyond 2013. There’s an important exception, says National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson: taxpayer insolvency. “When a taxpayer’s total debt exceeds his or her total assets,” the mortgage writeoff would not be considered taxable income, she said • A deduction for the cost of home mortgage insurance premiums also expired.
EDUCATION • Higher education students and their parents will no longer be able to take a maximum $4,000 deduction for tuition and fees. Related expenses could have included activity fees, books, supplies and equipment — but not room and board, transportation or sports. There are still education-related tax breaks available in the 2014 tax year. Among them the American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 per student, deductions for student loan interest and tuition-related expenses, and lifetime learning credits. Many of these are phased out at higher income levels. STATE AND LOCAL SALES TAX • Taxpayers no longer have the option to deduct state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes. This had been particularly beneficial for taxpayers living in states without an income tax, and for those who had made a significant purchase.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY • Taxpayers will no longer get a tax credit for making homes more energy efficient. The credit had a lifetime maximum of $500 for such things as insulation, more efficient heating, cooling and hot water systems, doors and windows. Tax credits for some electric cars will continue. COMMUTING TO WORK • For workers taking advantage of employer programs allowing them to deduct commuting costs from income before any taxes are withheld, the pretax benefit for public transportation has dropped from $245 to $130 per month.