Table of Contents
Publication 17 - Introductory Material
What's New
Reminders
Introduction
Icons.
Part One -
The Income Tax Return
1.
Filing Information
What's New
Reminders
Introduction
Do I Have To File a Return?
Individuals—In General
Dependents
Certain Children Under Age 19 or Full-Time Students
Self-Employed Persons
Aliens
Who Should File
Which Form Should I Use?
Form 1040EZ
Form 1040A
Form 1040
Does My Return Have To Be on Paper?
IRS e-file
When Do I Have To File?
Private delivery services.
Extensions of Time To File
How Do I Prepare My Return?
When Do I Report My Income and Expenses?
Social Security Number
Presidential Election Campaign Fund
Computations
Attachments
Third Party Designee
Signatures
Paid Preparer
Refunds
Amount You Owe
Gift To Reduce Debt Held by the Public
Name and Address
Where Do I File?
What Happens After I File?
What Records Should I Keep?
Why Keep Records?
Kinds of Records to Keep
Basic Records
How Long to Keep Records
Refund Information
Interest on Refunds
Change of Address
What If I Made a Mistake?
Amended Returns and Claims for Refund
Penalties
2.
Filing Status
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Marital Status
Divorced persons.
Divorce and remarriage.
Annulled marriages.
Head of household or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child.
Considered married.
Spouse died during the year.
Married persons living apart.
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Filing a Joint Return
Married Filing Separately
Special Rules
Head of Household
Considered Unmarried
Keeping Up a Home
Qualifying Person
Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child
3.
Personal Exemptions and Dependents
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Exemptions
Personal Exemptions
Exemptions for Dependents
Qualifying Child
Qualifying Relative
Social Security Numbers for Dependents
Born and died in 2011.
Taxpayer identification numbers for aliens.
Taxpayer identification numbers for adoptees.
4.
Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
What's New for 2012
Reminders
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Tax Withholding for 2012
Salaries and Wages
Tips
Taxable Fringe Benefits
Sick Pay
Pensions and Annuities
Gambling Winnings
Unemployment Compensation
Federal Payments
Backup Withholding
Estimated Tax for 2012
Who Does Not Have To Pay Estimated Tax
Who Must Pay Estimated Tax
How To Figure Estimated Tax
When To Pay Estimated Tax
How To Figure Each Payment
How To Pay Estimated Tax
Credit for Withholding and Estimated Tax for 2011
Withholding
Estimated Tax
Underpayment Penalty for 2011
Part Two -
Income
5.
Wages, Salaries, and Other Earnings
Reminder
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Employee Compensation
Babysitting.
Miscellaneous Compensation
Fringe Benefits
Retirement Plan Contributions
Stock Options
Restricted Property
Special Rules for Certain Employees
Clergy
Members of Religious Orders
Foreign Employer
Military
Volunteers
Sickness and Injury Benefits
Disability Pensions
Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts
Workers' Compensation
Other Sickness and Injury Benefits
6.
Tip Income
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Keeping a Daily Tip Record
Electronic tip record.
Reporting Tips to Your Employer
Electronic tip statement.
Final report.
Reporting Tips on Your Tax Return
Allocated Tips
7.
Interest Income
Reminder
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
General Information
SSN for joint account.
Custodian account for your child.
Penalty for failure to supply SSN.
Reporting backup withholding.
Savings account with parent as trustee.
Interest not reported on Form 1099-INT.
Nominees.
Incorrect amount.
Information-reporting requirement.
Taxable Interest
Interest subject to penalty for early withdrawal.
Money borrowed to invest in certificate of deposit.
U.S. Savings Bonds
Education Savings Bond Program
U.S. Treasury Bills, Notes, and Bonds
Bonds Sold Between Interest Dates
Insurance
State or Local Government Obligations
Original Issue Discount (OID)
When To Report Interest Income
Constructive receipt.
How To Report Interest Income
Schedule B.
Reporting tax-exempt interest.
U.S. savings bond interest previously reported.
8.
Dividends and Other Distributions
Reminder
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
General Information
Dividends not reported on Form 1099-DIV.
Reporting tax withheld.
Nominees.
Ordinary Dividends
Qualified Dividends
Dividends Used to Buy More Stock
Money Market Funds
Capital Gain Distributions
Basis adjustment.
Nondividend Distributions
Liquidating Distributions
Distributions of Stock and Stock Rights
Other Distributions
Information reporting requirement.
Alternative minimum tax treatment.
How To Report Dividend Income
Investment interest deducted.
9.
Rental Income and Expenses
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Rental Income
Rental Expenses
Repairs and Improvements
Other Expenses
Property Changed to Rental Use
Renting Part of Property
Not Rented for Profit
Personal Use of Dwelling Unit (Including Vacation Home)
What Is a Day of Personal Use
Dwelling Unit Used as a Home
How To Figure Rental Income and Deductions
How To Divide Expenses
Depreciation
Changing your accounting method to deduct unclaimed depreciation.
Limits on Rental Losses
At-Risk Rules
Passive Activity Limits
How To Report Rental Income and Expenses
Schedule E (Form 1040)
10.
Retirement Plans, Pensions, and Annuities
Reminder
Introduction
The General Rule.
Individual retirement arrangements (IRAs).
Civil service retirement benefits.
Useful Items - You may want to see:
General Information
In-plan rollovers to designated Roth accounts.
How To Report
Cost (Investment in the Contract)
Taxation of Periodic Payments
Exclusion limited to cost.
Exclusion not limited to cost.
Simplified Method
Taxation of Nonperiodic Payments
Lump-Sum Distributions
Rollovers
In-plan rollovers to designated Roth accounts.
Special rules for 2010 rollovers to Roth IRAs.
Special Additional Taxes
Tax on Early Distributions
Tax on Excess Accumulation
Survivors and Beneficiaries
11.
Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Are Any of Your Benefits Taxable?
How To Report Your Benefits
How Much Is Taxable?
Examples
Deductions Related to Your Benefits
Repayments More Than Gross Benefits
12.
Other Income
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Bartering
Canceled Debts
Interest included in canceled debt.
Exceptions
Host or Hostess
Life Insurance Proceeds
Surviving spouse.
Endowment Contract Proceeds
Accelerated Death Benefits
Public Safety Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Partnership Income
S Corporation Income
Recoveries
Itemized Deduction Recoveries
Rents from Personal Property
Repayments
Method 1.
Method 2.
Royalties
Depletion.
Coal and iron ore.
Sale of property interest.
Part of future production sold.
Unemployment Benefits
Types of unemployment compensation.
Governmental program.
Repayment of unemployment compensation.
Tax withholding.
Repayment of benefits.
Welfare and Other Public Assistance Benefits
Other Income
Emotional distress.
Deduction for costs involved in unlawful discrimination suits.
Energy conservation measure.
Dwelling unit.
Current income required to be distributed.
Current income not required to be distributed.
How to report.
Losses.
Grantor trust.
Nonemployee compensation.
Corporate director.
Personal representatives.
Manager of trade or business for bankruptcy estate.
Notary public.
Election precinct official.
Difficulty-of-care payments.
Maintaining space in home.
Reporting taxable payments.
Lotteries and raffles.
Form W-2G.
Reporting winnings and recordkeeping.
Inherited pension or IRA.
Employee awards or bonuses.
Pulitzer, Nobel, and similar prizes.
Payment for services.
VA payments.
Prizes.
Strike and lockout benefits.
Part Three -
Gains and Losses
13.
Basis of Property
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Cost Basis
Real Property
Adjusted Basis
Increases to Basis
Decreases to Basis
Basis Other Than Cost
Property Received for Services
Taxable Exchanges
Involuntary Conversions
Nontaxable Exchanges
Property Transferred From a Spouse
Property Received as a Gift
Inherited Property
Property Changed From Personal to Business or Rental Use
Stocks and Bonds
14.
Sale of Property
Reminder
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Sales and Trades
What Is a Sale or Trade?
How To Figure Gain or Loss
Nontaxable Trades
Transfers Between Spouses
Related Party Transactions
Capital Gains and Losses
Capital or Ordinary Gain or Loss
Capital Assets and Noncapital Assets
Holding Period
Nonbusiness Bad Debts
Wash Sales
Rollover of Gain From Publicly Traded Securities
15.
Selling Your Home
Reminders
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Main Home
Figuring Gain or Loss
Selling Price
Amount Realized
Adjusted Basis
Amount of Gain or Loss
Dispositions Other Than Sales
Determining Basis
Excluding the Gain
Maximum Exclusion
Ownership and Use Tests
Reduced Maximum Exclusion
Business Use or Rental of Home
Reporting the Sale
Seller-financed mortgage.
More information.
Special Situations
Exception for sales to related persons.
Recapturing (Paying Back) a Federal Mortgage Subsidy
16.
Reporting Gains and Losses
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Reporting Capital Gains and Losses
Exception 1.
Exception 2.
File Form 1099-B or Form 1099-S with the IRS.
Capital Losses
Capital Gain Tax Rates
Comprehensive Example
Capital loss carryover from 2010.
Tax computation.
Part Four -
Adjustments to Income
17.
Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
What's New for 2011
What's New for 2012
Reminders
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Traditional IRAs
Who Can Open a Traditional IRA?
When and How Can a Traditional IRA Be Opened?
How Much Can Be Contributed?
When Can Contributions Be Made?
How Much Can You Deduct?
Nondeductible Contributions
Inherited IRAs
Can You Move Retirement Plan Assets?
When Can You Withdraw or Use IRA Assets?
When Must You Withdraw IRA Assets? (Required Minimum Distributions)
Are Distributions Taxable?
What Acts Result in Penalties or Additional Taxes?
Roth IRAs
What Is a Roth IRA?
When Can a Roth IRA Be Opened?
Can You Contribute to a Roth IRA?
Can You Move Amounts Into a Roth IRA?
Are Distributions Taxable?
18.
Alimony
Introduction
Spouse or former spouse.
Divorce or separation instrument.
Useful Items - You may want to see:
General Rules
Mortgage payments.
Taxes and insurance.
Other payments to a third party.
Instruments Executed After 1984
Payments to a third party.
Exception.
Substitute payments.
Contingency relating to your child.
Clearly associated with a contingency.
How To Deduct Alimony Paid
How To Report Alimony Received
Recapture Rule
19.
Education- Related Adjustments
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Student Loan Interest Deduction
Student Loan Interest Defined
Can You Claim the Deduction
How Much Can You Deduct
How Do You Figure the Deduction
Tuition and Fees Deduction
Can You Claim the Deduction
What Expenses Qualify
Who Is an Eligible Student
Who Can Claim a Dependent's Expenses
How Much Can You Deduct
Educator Expenses
Part Five -
Standard Deduction and Itemized Deductions
20.
Standard Deduction
What's New
Introduction
Standard Deduction Amount
Standard Deduction for Dependents
Who Should Itemize
When to itemize.
Married persons who filed separate returns.
21.
Medical and Dental Expenses
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
What Are Medical Expenses?
What Expenses Can You Include This Year?
Community property states.
How Much of the Expenses Can You Deduct?
Whose Medical Expenses Can You Include?
Yourself
Spouse
Dependent
Decedent
What Medical Expenses Are Includible?
Insurance Premiums
Meals and Lodging
Transportation
Disabled Dependent Care Expenses
How Do You Treat Reimbursements?
Insurance Reimbursement
Damages for Personal Injuries
How Do You Figure and Report the Deduction on Your Tax Return?
What Tax Form Do You Use?
Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Health Insurance Costs for Self-Employed Persons
22.
Taxes
Introduction
Indian tribal government.
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Tests To Deduct Any Tax
Income Taxes
State and Local Income Taxes
Foreign Income Taxes
General Sales Taxes
Motor vehicles.
Real Estate Taxes
Real estate taxes for prior years.
Examples.
Form 1099-S.
Real Estate-Related Items You Cannot Deduct
Personal Property Taxes
Taxes and Fees You Cannot Deduct
Where To Deduct
23.
Interest Expense
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Home Mortgage Interest
Amount Deductible
Points
Mortgage Insurance Premiums
Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement
Investment Interest
Investment Property
Allocation of Interest Expense
Limit on Deduction
Items You Cannot Deduct
Personal Interest
Allocation of Interest
How To Report
More than one borrower.
Mortgage proceeds used for business or investment.
24.
Contributions
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions
Types of Qualified Organizations
Contributions You Can Deduct
Contributions From Which You Benefit
Expenses Paid for Student Living With You
Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services
Contributions You Cannot Deduct
Contributions to Individuals
Contributions to Nonqualified Organizations
Contributions From Which You Benefit
Value of Time or Services
Personal Expenses
Appraisal Fees
Contributions of Property
Exception.
Household items.
Deduction more than $500.
Form 1098-C.
Filing deadline approaching and still no Form 1098-C.
Exception 1—vehicle used or improved by organization.
Exception 2—vehicle given or sold to needy individual.
Deduction $500 or less.
Right to use property.
Tangible personal property.
Future interest.
Determining Fair Market Value
Giving Property That Has Decreased in Value
Giving Property That Has Increased in Value
When To Deduct
Checks.
Credit card.
Pay-by-phone account.
Stock certificate.
Promissory note.
Option.
Borrowed funds.
Limits on Deductions
50% Limit
30% Limit
Special 30% Limit for Capital Gain Property
20% Limit
Carryovers
Records To Keep
Cash Contributions
Noncash Contributions
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
How To Report
25.
Nonbusiness Casualty and Theft Losses
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Casualty
Family pet.
Progressive deterioration.
Damage from corrosive drywall.
Theft
Loss on Deposits
Proof of Loss
Figuring a Loss
Decrease in Fair Market Value
Adjusted Basis
Insurance and Other Reimbursements
Single Casualty on Multiple Properties
Deduction Limits
$100 Rule
10% Rule
When To Report Gains and Losses
Disaster Area Loss
How To Report Gains and Losses
26.
Car Expenses and Other Employee Business Expenses
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Travel Expenses
Traveling Away From Home
Tax Home
Temporary Assignment or Job
What Travel Expenses Are Deductible?
Travel in the United States
Travel Outside the United States
Conventions
Entertainment Expenses
50% Limit
What Entertainment Expenses Are Deductible?
What Entertainment Expenses Are Not Deductible?
Gift Expenses
Transportation Expenses
Armed Forces reservists.
Parking fees.
Advertising display on car.
Car pools.
Hauling tools or instruments.
Union members' trips from a union hall.
Car Expenses
Recordkeeping
How To Prove Expenses
How Long To Keep Records and Receipts
How To Report
Gifts.
Statutory employees.
Reimbursements
Completing Forms 2106 and 2106-EZ
Special Rules
Illustrated Example
27.
Tax Benefits for Work-Related Education
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Qualifying Work- Related Education
Education Required by Employer or by Law
Education To Maintain or Improve Skills
Education To Meet Minimum Requirements
Education That Qualifies You for a New Trade or Business
What Expenses Can Be Deducted
Unclaimed reimbursement.
Transportation Expenses
Travel Expenses
No Double Benefit Allowed
Reimbursements
Deducting Business Expenses
Self-Employed Persons
Employees
Performing Artists and Fee-Basis Officials
Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Recordkeeping
28.
Miscellaneous Deductions
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Deductions Subject to the 2% Limit
Unreimbursed Employee Expenses (Line 21)
Tax Preparation Fees (Line 22)
Other Expenses (Line 23)
Deductions Not Subject to the 2% Limit
List of Deductions
Nondeductible Expenses
List of Nondeductible Expenses
Part Six -
Figuring Your Taxes and Credits
29.
How To Figure Your Tax
Introduction
Figuring Your Tax
Alternative Minimum Tax
Tax Figured by IRS
Filing the Return
30.
Tax on Investment Income of Certain Children
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Which Parent's Return To Use
Parents Who Do Not File a Joint Return
Parent's Election To Report Child's Interest and Dividends
Effect of Making the Election
Figuring Child's Income
Figuring Additional Tax
Illustrated Example
Tax for Certain Children Who Have Investment Income of More Than $1,900
Providing Parental Information (Form 8615, lines A–C)
Step 1. Figuring the Child's Net Investment Income (Form 8615, Part I)
Step 2. Figuring Tentative Tax at the Parent's Tax Rate (Form 8615, Part II)
Step 3. Figuring the Child's Tax (Form 8615, Part III)
Illustrated Example
31.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Reminders
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Tests To Claim the Credit
Qualifying Person Test
Earned Income Test
Work-Related Expense Test
Joint Return Test
Provider Identification Test
How To Figure the Credit
Figuring Total Work-Related Expenses
Earned Income Limit
Dollar Limit
Amount of Credit
How To Claim the Credit
Tax credit not refundable.
Employment Taxes for Household Employers
Example
32.
Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Are You Eligible for the Credit?
Qualified Individual
Income Limits
Credit Figured for You
Figuring the Credit Yourself
Step 1. Determine Initial Amount
Step 2. Total Certain Nontaxable Pensions and Benefits
Step 3. Determine Excess Adjusted Gross Income
Step 4. Determine the Total of Steps 2 and 3
Step 5. Determine Your Credit
33.
Child Tax Credit
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Qualifying Child
Amount of Credit
Limits on the Credit
Claiming the Credit
Additional Child Tax Credit
Checking Your Withholding
Example
34.
Education Credits
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Who Can Claim an Education Credit
Qualified Education Expenses
No Double Benefit Allowed
Adjustments to Qualified Education Expenses
When Must the Credit Be Repaid (Recaptured)
35.
Earned Income Credit (EIC)
What's New
Reminders
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Do You Qualify for the Credit?
If Improper Claim Made in Prior Year
Part A. Rules for Everyone
Rule 1. Your AGI Must Be Less Than:
Rule 2. You Must Have a Valid Social Security Number (SSN)
Rule 3. Your Filing Status Cannot Be Married Filing Separately
Rule 4. You Must Be a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien All Year
Rule 5. You Cannot File Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ
Rule 6. Your Investment Income Must Be $3,150 or Less
Rule 7. You Must Have Earned Income
Part B. Rules If You Have a Qualifying Child
Rule 8. Your Child Must Meet the Relationship, Age, Residency, and Joint Return Tests
Rule 9. Your Qualifying Child Cannot Be Used By More Than One Person To Claim the EIC
Rule 10. You Cannot Be a Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer
Part C. Rules If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Child
Rule 11. You Must Be at Least Age 25 but Under Age 65
Rule 12. You Cannot Be the Dependent of Another Person
Rule 13. You Cannot Be a Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer
Rule 14. You Must Have Lived in the United States More Than Half of the Year
Part D. Figuring and Claiming the EIC
Rule 15. Your Earned Income Must Be Less Than:
IRS Will Figure the EIC for You
How To Figure the EIC Yourself
Examples
Example 1. John and Janet Smith (Form 1040A)
Example 2. Kelly Green (Form 1040EZ)
36.
Other Credits
What's New
Introduction
Useful Items - You may want to see:
Nonrefundable Credits
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit
Credit to Holders of Tax Credit Bonds
Foreign Tax Credit
Mortgage Interest Credit
Nonrefundable Credit for Prior Year Minimum Tax
Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
Plug-in Electric Vehicle Credit
Residential Energy Credits
Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (Saver's Credit)
Refundable Credits
Adoption Credit
Credit for Tax on Undistributed Capital Gain
First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Health Coverage Tax Credit
Refundable Credit for Prior Year Minimum Tax
Credit for Excess Social Security Tax or Railroad Retirement Tax Withheld
Publication 17 - Additional Material
Tax Tables
Your Rights as a Taxpayer
How To Get Tax Help
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs).
Index