Nonprofit Resources
Key Federal Tax Figures for 2021
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Several points of interest emerge from a review of the 2021 figures.
Increase in Standard Deduction
The tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017 nearly doubled the standard deduction. For 2021, the new higher amounts have increased again by an inflation adjustment. For a married couple filing a joint return, the increase is $300, to $25,100. Similar increases occurred for heads of households, single individuals, and married couples filing separate returns.
Automobile Mileage Rates
The tax-free mileage rate for business use of a vehicle was lowered to 56.0 cents per mile from 57.5 cents per mile, a decrease of 1.5 cents per mile. Similarly, the tax-deductible mileage rate for medical mileage decreased to 16.0 cents per mile from 17.0 cents per mile while the mileage rate for charitable mileage remained unchanged at 14.0 cents per mile. Note that with the suspension of the moving expense deduction, there is no mileage reimbursement rate for moving mileage.
Other Inflation Adjustments for 2021
Inflation adjustments affect many areas, but not everything. Examine the specific issues that affect your organization carefully. Some examples:
| In 2020 and Returns for 2020 | In 2021 and Returns for 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign earned income exclusion | $107,600 | $108,700 |
| OASDI maximum wage base | $137,700 | $142,800 |
| Maximum annual contribution to defined contribution plan | $57,000 | $58,000 |
| Maximum salary deduction for 401(k)/403(b) | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| 401(k)/403(b) over 50 “catch-up” limit | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| IRA contribution limit | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| IRA over 50 “catch-up” limit | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Highly compensated employee limit | $130,000 | $130,000 |
| Annual gift tax exclusion amount | $15,000 | $15,000 |
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