Category: Blog

The IRS has released draft Schedule 1-A, introducing four new temporary deductions within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If you are wondering what the new form looks like and how the calculations work, read on as we explore each below.

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

It is important to note that all four deductions require calculating your MAGI first, which determines eligibility and phaseout amounts for each deduction.

The Four New Deductions and How the Calculations Work

These deductions are all referred to on the schedule by their colloquial names, for example: “No Tax on Tips,” “No Tax on Overtime” and “No Tax on Car Loan Interest.” The sole exception, however, is popularly referred to as the “No Tax on Social Security” provision, which is called the “Enhanced Deduction for Seniors” on the form.

1. Tips Deduction

• Maximum: $25,000 annually
• Eligibility: Must receive qualified tips in customarily tipped occupations
• Phaseout: Begins at $150,000 MAGI ($300,000 joint filers)
• Rate: $100 reduction per $1,000 over threshold
• Requirements: Valid Social Security number; married couples must file jointly

2. Overtime Deduction

• Maximum: $12,500 single ($25,000 joint filers)
• Eligibility: Only the premium portion of overtime pay (the “half” of time-and-a-half)
• Phaseout: Same as tips deduction – begins at $150,000 MAGI
• Rate: $100 reduction per $1,000 over threshold

3. Car Interest Deduction

• Maximum: $10,000 annually
• Eligibility: Interest on loans for new vehicles under 14,000 pounds and assembled in the United States
• Phaseout: Begins at $100,000 MAGI ($200,000 joint filers)
• Rate: $200 reduction per $1,000 over threshold
• Requirements: Must provide VIN; loan must originate after Dec. 31, 2024

4. Enhanced Deduction for Seniors

• Amount: $6,000 fixed deduction
• Eligibility: All taxpayers (replaces “No Tax on Social Security” promise)
• Phaseout: Begins at $75,000 MAGI ($150,000 joint filers)
• Rate: 6 percent reduction of excess income over threshold

Key Points to Remember

• All deductions are available whether you itemize or take the standard deduction
• All require valid Social Security numbers
• Married couples must file jointly to claim these benefits
• Income limits mean higher earners receive reduced or no benefits
• These are deductions, not exclusions – income is still reportable for state/local taxes

Final Steps

After you have calculated everything applicable for the four possible deductions, you will enter the total on the new line 13b on Form 1040. The total amount of the deductions entered here is removed from your income prior to calculating your tax. Remember, these are deductions and not credits, so they only reduce your taxable income and are not a direct reduction in your tax due.

You can see an example of the new draft Form 1040 illustrating this below.

Screenshot of new Form 1040

Conclusion and Draft from Status – and IRS Warning

The above provides guidance to taxpayers and professionals on how both the deductions calculations work and flow through Form 1040. The IRS warns, however, that the forms and instructions currently released are in draft form at this point. Before any forms or instructions can be released in their final state, they need to be approved by the OMB. It is not unusual for draft releases of instructions and publications to have some changes before their final release, even if only minor.

 

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s often become a significant tax burden during retirement. As the percentage of your IRA that must be distributed increases each year, many retirees face higher adjusted gross income and increased exposure to stealth taxes. However, with strategic planning, you can transform RMDs from burdens into opportunities.

Timing Your First RMD

The RMD starting age has changed recently: age 72 for those born before 1951, age 73 for those born 1951-1959, and age 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year following when you reach the required age.

While you can delay your first RMD until early the following year, most taxpayers should take it in the year they reach the required age. Delaying means you’ll take two RMDs in one calendar year – your delayed first RMD plus that year’s current RMD – potentially pushing you into higher tax brackets and increasing stealth taxes.

Managing Multiple IRAs

If you own several traditional IRAs, you have valuable flexibility under the aggregation rules. First, calculate the RMD for each IRA separately. Then, you can either take distributions from each IRA individually or combine all RMDs and withdraw the total amount from your IRAs in any ratio you choose, even taking the entire amount from just one account.

This flexibility allows you to rebalance your portfolio, draw down smaller accounts, or meet other financial goals. Just ensure that by December 31, your total distributions equal or exceed the aggregate RMD. Note that inherited IRAs and employer plans like 401(k)s cannot be aggregated and must have their RMDs calculated and taken separately.

Charitable Giving Strategy

One of the most tax-efficient strategies is using qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). If you’re over 70½ and make charitable gifts, taking your RMD as a QCD can reduce your taxable income while satisfying the distribution requirement. This strategy often provides better tax benefits than taking a distribution and then making a separate charitable deduction.

Account Structure Optimization

The tax law allows you to consolidate or split IRAs without tax consequences using direct trustee-to-trustee transfers. Some people prefer multiple IRAs for beneficiary planning, different investment strategies or to keep 401(k) rollover money separate. Others find multiple accounts harder to manage and worry about unequal performance affecting beneficiaries differently.

Consider your specific situation: if you have a qualified longevity annuity contract (QLAC) that delays RMDs until age 85, managing it in a separate IRA might be easier.

In-Kind Distributions

You don’t need to sell assets to generate cash for RMDs. Instead, you can make in-kind distributions by transferring securities directly from your IRA to a taxable account. This preserves your asset allocation and can be particularly advantageous when assets have temporarily declined in value.

With in-kind distributions, the asset’s value on the distribution date becomes your new tax basis. If you believe a depressed asset will recover, distributing it allows the ordinary income tax on the current low value while future appreciation becomes tax-advantaged long-term capital gains. This strategy is also helpful for unconventional assets like real estate or small business interests that are difficult to sell in portions.

Distribution Timing and Amount

You can take RMDs anytime during the year. Some prefer monthly distributions for regular cash flow, others take distributions early to ensure compliance, and some wait until year-end to maximize tax deferral and delay estimated tax payments.

Remember that RMDs are minimums – you can always take more. Consider larger distributions in years when your tax rate is unusually low due to higher deductions or lower income. This reduces future RMDs when your tax rate might be higher.

Conclusion

Strategic RMD planning can significantly reduce their tax impact. By understanding timing options, leveraging aggregation rules, using charitable strategies, optimizing account structures, considering in-kind distributions and timing distributions strategically, you can turn required distributions into opportunities for smart tax and retirement planning.