STEP 8 TAX CALCULATION

43. TAX OR ALTERNATE TAX.

FIRST, DETERMINE TAX FROM TAX TABLES , FORMULA AT THE END OF THE TAX TABLES, OR TAX RATE SCHEDULE

If the taxable income on line 42 (column A or column B):

• is less than $95,400, use the tax tables (pdf)
• is more than $95,400, use the formula at the end of the tax tables or the
  tax rate schedule (pdf)

SECOND, COMPUTE ALTERNATE TAX, WHICH MAY REDUCE TAX LIABILITY.

Compare the tax calculated using one of the methods shown above to the alternate tax calculated below.  Enter the smaller amount on line 43.

Taxpayers using filing status 1 do not qualify for the alternate tax calculation.

If you are filing status 4 and do not provide the other spouse’s income in Step 2 of the IA 1040, you are not allowed to use the alternate tax calculation.

Filing statuses 2, 3, or 4 with net operating loss:
The alternate tax computation is not available to married taxpayers using filing status 2, 3, or 4 when one spouse has a net operating loss and the spouse chooses to carry back or carry forward the net operating loss. If the spouse with the net operating loss chooses not to carry the net operating loss back or forward, then the alternate tax computation is allowed. A statement that the taxpayer will not carry forward or carry back the net operating loss must be attached to the return.

Filing statuses 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 without net operating loss:
If the combination of your net income(s) from line 26 PLUS any pension exclusion taken on line 21 of the IA 1040 and any Social Security Phase-out taken on line 12 of the Social Security worksheet exceeds $13,500 ($24,000 if you or your spouse is 65 or older on 12/31/08), you may owe less tax by completing the worksheet below to compute your tax liability. Enter this alternate tax on line 43 if it is less than the tax from the tax table.

ALTERNATE TAX WORKSHEET

EXAMPLE 1

You: $8,000 net income from line 26 of the IA 1040
Spouse: $6,000 net income from line 26 of the IA 1040
They are using Filing Status 3.

* In this example, the spouse's tax is $62 and yours is $143.
** In this example, the amount to enter on line 43 for the spouse is $19; the amount to enter for you is $26.

EXAMPLE 2

Married couple with net income from line 26 of the IA 1040 of $11,000.
They have a pension exclusion on line 21 of the IA 1040 of $4,000.
They are using Filing Status 2.

1. Add the total net income(s) from line 26 and pension exclusion from line 21 and Social Security Phase-out taken on line 12 of the Social Security worksheet of the IA 1040, and enter here. Filing statuses 3 or 4 enter combined totals of both spouses.	1.	15,000
2. Enter $13,500 ($24,000 if you or your spouse is 65 or older on 12/31/08).	2.	- 13,500
3. Income subject to alternate tax. Subtract line 2 from line 1.	3.	1,500
4. Multiply line 3 by 8.98%. (.0898)	4.	135
5. Using the tax tables, determine the tax on the taxable income from line 42 of the IA 1040 and enter here. Status 3 and 4 filers look up the tax separately, combine and enter total here.	5.	175
6. Compare the amounts on line 4 and line 5. Enter the smaller amount here and on line 43, IA 1040.	6.	135

EXAMPLE 3

Married couple with net income from line 26 of the IA 1040 of $19,000.
They have a pension exclusion on line 21 of the IA 1040 of $4,000.  They have a Social Security phase-out on line 12 of the Social Security worksheet of $2,000.
They are using Filing Status 2.  One spouse is 65 or older.

1. Add the total net income(s) from line 26 and pension exclusion from line 21 and Social Security Phase-out taken on line 12 of the Social Security worksheet of the IA 1040, and enter here. Filing statuses 3 or 4 enter combined totals of both spouses.	1.	25,000
2. Enter $13,500 ($24,000 if you or your spouse is 65 or older on 12/31/08).	2.	- 24,000
3. Income subject to alternate tax. Subtract line 2 from line 1.	3.	1,000
4. Multiply line 3 by 8.98%. (.0898)	4.	90
5. Using the tax tables, determine the tax on the taxable income from line 42 of the IA 1040 and enter here. Status 3 and 4 filers look up the tax separately, combine and enter total here.	5.	226
6. Compare the amounts on line 4 and line 5. Enter the smaller amount here and on line 43, IA 1040.	6.	90

 

Married Separate Filers: (including status 4): If you are using the tax tables, the formula at the end of the tax tables, or the tax rate schedule: Enter the tax for line 42, column A , on line 43, column A. If filing status 3, also enter the tax for line 42, column B , on line 43, column B. If you are using the alternate tax: Use the combined net incomes of both spouses to compute the alternate tax. Prorate the alternate tax between spouses in the ratio of the net income of each spouse to the combined net income of both spouses. “Net income” for purposes of this proration is the amount from line 26, plus any pension exclusion from line 21 and Social Security Phase-out taken on line 12 of the Social Security worksheet. (Examples of how to prorate)

The Alternate Tax Calculation Worksheet
is available as a pdf.

Go to Line 42

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