Do I need to pay the AMT because I took the standard deduction?

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
April 18, 2023
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Why do I have to pay more taxes with the AMT just because I took the standard deduction

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Best answer by RalphH1

Expert Reviewed

Taking the Standard Deduction does not in itself trigger the “Alternative Minimum Tax.” It’s just one of many things included in the calculation. Here’s a TurboTax article on the subject which is a good summary.

If you look at Form 6251 (which will print with your TurboTax return if you have AMT), you will see that the Standard Deduction is subtracted from regular taxable income on line 2a. (It is a good idea to try itemizing in this case, even if it it’s going to be lower than the Standard amount. But if you have a state return too, pay attention to the overall result.) However, the rest of Part I shows us a long list of other deductions which are adjusted downward, and income items which are adjusted upward, for AMT purposes.

Whatever big numbers you’re seeing on your own 6251 will explain basically why you have AMT. (You may not want to know the details! But they’re here, if you do.) Especially important, however, is that regular taxable income amount (on line 1), as the likelihood of AMT increases as income goes up. (Although admittedly AMT has crept downward through the brackets over the decades, showing up on the tax returns of many more not-so-wealthy taxpayers...)

@moski81, if you’d like to post details about your Form 6251, someone here can probably be more specific about your AMT situation...

R

RalphH1Answer

Level 6

Expert Reviewed

Taking the Standard Deduction does not in itself trigger the “Alternative Minimum Tax.” It’s just one of many things included in the calculation. Here’s a TurboTax article on the subject which is a good summary.

If you look at Form 6251 (which will print with your TurboTax return if you have AMT), you will see that the Standard Deduction is subtracted from regular taxable income on line 2a. (It is a good idea to try itemizing in this case, even if it it’s going to be lower than the Standard amount. But if you have a state return too, pay attention to the overall result.) However, the rest of Part I shows us a long list of other deductions which are adjusted downward, and income items which are adjusted upward, for AMT purposes.

Whatever big numbers you’re seeing on your own 6251 will explain basically why you have AMT. (You may not want to know the details! But they’re here, if you do.) Especially important, however, is that regular taxable income amount (on line 1), as the likelihood of AMT increases as income goes up. (Although admittedly AMT has crept downward through the brackets over the decades, showing up on the tax returns of many more not-so-wealthy taxpayers...)

@moski81, if you’d like to post details about your Form 6251, someone here can probably be more specific about your AMT situation...

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