Tax Laws: A Fairer Future?

what should be done with tax laws

Tax laws are a complex and ever-changing area of legislation, with annual adjustments to keep up with inflation and cost-of-living changes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States makes updates to tax provisions and procedures for various reasons, and it can be challenging for individuals to keep up with the changes. The IRS adjusts over 60 tax provisions annually to account for inflation, and new laws can also be enacted by Congress, which may impact federal tax laws. In recent years, there have been significant changes to tax laws, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill enacted in 2025, which introduced new tax laws and made permanent some temporary changes from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). With the constant evolution of tax laws, individuals may benefit from consulting tax advisors or professionals to understand how these changes impact their unique financial situations.

Characteristics Values
Tax laws should be developed and implemented by The Office of Tax Policy
Tax laws should be in line with The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC)
Tax laws should be available to the public Yes, Congress makes an electronic version of the United States Code available to the public
Tax laws should be interpreted by The U.S. Department of the Treasury
Tax laws should be adjusted for Inflation
Tax laws should include Revenue Proposals
Tax laws should be accompanied by The "Greenbook"
Tax laws should be changed Annually
Tax laws should be challenged No, courts have consistently rejected these challenges
Tax laws should be permanent Yes, the One Big Beautiful Bill makes many temporary tax law changes permanent
Tax laws should be retroactive Yes, some changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill are retroactive to 2024
Tax laws should be applicable to Individuals, estates, and trusts with income above a set threshold
Tax laws should be applicable to Crypto exchanges

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Tax credits and deductions

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

The Child Tax Credit is a crucial aspect of tax legislation that provides financial support to families with children. Recent discussions and proposed changes to the CTC have sparked interest among taxpayers. Understanding the potential modifications to this credit is essential for those with qualifying dependents.

Premium Tax Credit (PTC)

The Premium Tax Credit is a temporary rule change for the 2024 tax year, allowing more individuals to benefit from purchasing healthcare coverage through the ACA marketplace. The PTC offers larger tax breaks for eligible taxpayers with household incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level. However, it's important to note that the overall PTC will decrease in 2026, resulting in a higher premium share for taxpayers.

Retirement Plan Contributions

Retirement plan contributions are typically adjusted to keep up with inflation and changing tax laws. The recent "One Big Beautiful Bill" legislation included extensions of provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which increased the standard deduction and raised the lifetime estate tax exemption amount. Retirement plan contribution limits were not impacted by these new tax laws.

Tip and Overtime Income Deduction

The 2025 tax law changes introduced a temporary provision for certain workers, allowing no tax on tip or overtime income. This deduction can lower taxable income, but it is not a dollar-for-dollar reduction, and actual tax savings will depend on an individual's tax rate.

Energy Efficient Credits

The "One Big Beautiful Bill" legislation for 2025 and beyond includes the repeal of energy-efficient credits for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, charging infrastructure, and energy-efficient home improvements. This change may impact individuals who have made or plan to make energy-efficient purchases or improvements.

It's important to stay informed about updates to tax credits and deductions, as they can vary from year to year and significantly impact your financial planning and tax liability. Consulting with a tax professional can help individuals navigate these changes and make informed decisions.

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Tax evasion

To prevent tax evasion, it is important to first understand the motivations behind it. Studies have shown that individuals are more likely to comply with tax laws when they believe that their tax contributions are being used appropriately and when they can participate in public decisions. Additionally, the probability of detection and the severity of punishment are also factors that influence tax evasion. Therefore, increasing the likelihood of detection through stricter enforcement and imposing harsher penalties for those who evade taxes can serve as a deterrent.

Businesses and organisations also play a crucial role in preventing tax evasion. Business owners should ensure that their employees are well-informed about tax evasion rules and are able to identify red flags and potential instances of tax evasion. Encouraging employees to report any suspicions or knowledge of tax evasion through whistleblowing hotlines or other reporting channels is essential. Providing regular training and fostering a culture of compliance can help businesses avoid inadvertently facilitating tax evasion.

Furthermore, simplifying complex tax laws and making them more accessible to taxpayers can also reduce instances of accidental non-compliance. Governments can also implement measures to make it easier for citizens to comply with tax laws and provide assistance to those who struggle to meet their tax obligations. By addressing the underlying causes of tax evasion and improving tax literacy, the incidence of tax evasion can be reduced.

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Tax exemptions

Personal Exemptions

Individuals can claim personal exemptions to reduce their taxable income. In some jurisdictions, such as the United States, taxpayers can claim a specified dollar amount as a personal exemption for themselves, their spouses, and eligible dependents. This amount changes annually and varies based on factors like income level and family size. Personal exemptions provide direct financial relief to individuals and families, ensuring that a portion of their income remains untaxed.

Dependency Exemptions

Taxpayers with dependents can often claim dependency exemptions, which further reduce their taxable income. This type of exemption recognizes the financial burden of supporting dependents and allows taxpayers to lower their tax liability accordingly. Dependency exemptions are typically granted for each qualifying dependent, such as children or other eligible family members living with the taxpayer.

Organizational Exemptions

Certain types of organizations may be granted tax-exempt status by jurisdictions. These often include charitable, religious, educational, and nonprofit organizations. For example, in the United States, organizations that qualify for tax exemption are exempt from Federal and state income taxes. Similarly, the United Kingdom exempts public charities from business rates, corporation tax, and certain other taxes. This recognition of the social value provided by these organizations ensures that they can operate without the burden of taxation, allowing them to focus their resources on their core missions.

Specific Tax Exemptions

Apart from general exemptions, some jurisdictions offer specific tax exemptions for certain industries or activities. For instance, many jurisdictions provide tax exemptions for retirement investment and pension activities, recognizing the importance of encouraging retirement savings. Additionally, resellers are often exempt from sales taxes on goods held for sale, and producers may be exempt from taxes on raw materials used in manufacturing. These exemptions aim to stimulate economic activity and provide targeted relief to specific sectors.

Exemptions and Tax Expenditures

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Tax treaties

The United States has income tax treaties with several foreign countries. These treaties are negotiated by the Office of Tax Policy, which also develops and implements tax policies and programs, reviews regulations, and provides economic and legal policy analysis for domestic and international tax policy decisions.

Under these tax treaties, residents (not necessarily citizens) of foreign countries may be eligible for reduced tax rates or exemptions from U.S. income taxes on certain types of income they receive from sources within the United States. Similarly, U.S. residents or citizens may be taxed at a reduced rate or be exempt from foreign taxes on certain types of income they receive from sources within those foreign countries. It is important to note that these reduced rates and exemptions can vary among countries and specific items of income.

If there is no applicable tax treaty between the United States and a particular country, or if the treaty does not cover a specific type of income, individuals must pay taxes according to the standard instructions provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, individuals should consult the tax authorities of their state of residence to understand if their income is taxable and whether any tax treaties apply.

The texts of most U.S. income tax treaties are made publicly available by the Department of the Treasury. These documents can be accessed on their website upon signature and before ratification and entry into force. The site also provides related documents, such as Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

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Tax law changes

Tax laws are ever-evolving, with annual changes and updates being made to various sections of the tax code. These changes can be attributed to factors such as inflation, legislative amendments, and economic shifts. Here are some key areas where tax law changes have been proposed or implemented:

  • Inflation Adjustments: Federal tax brackets and other amounts are typically adjusted annually to account for inflation. These adjustments ensure that tax obligations remain aligned with changes in the cost of living. For instance, the 2024 tax brackets underwent substantial increases, potentially resulting in lower overall tax payments for individuals whose wage increases did not keep pace with inflation.
  • Tax Credits and Deductions: Tax credits and deductions are often modified to provide tax breaks and influence policy outcomes. For example, the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) was temporarily expanded during the pandemic, offering larger credits to households with incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the 2025 tax law changes introduced a deduction for qualified overtime income of up to $12,500 for certain workers.
  • Energy Efficiency and EVs: The repeal of energy-efficient credits for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, charging infrastructure, and energy-efficient home improvements took effect in 2025. This change may impact individuals and businesses investing in these areas.
  • Retirement Plan Contributions: Retirement plan emergency withdrawals of up to $1,000 were permitted without penalty in 2024 for eligible expenses such as unexpected auto repairs or medical bills. However, it is important to note that retirement plan contribution limits were not impacted by the new tax laws in 2025.
  • Digital Platform Transactions: New tax laws may require individuals who sell items through digital platforms, such as Venmo, PayPal, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or Poshmark, to file a tax form if they receive more than $600 in income from these sources.
  • Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): The AMT was adjusted, including a reduction in income levels for exemption phase-out. These adjustments will be further refined for inflation in subsequent years.
  • Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT): The NIIT is calculated as a percentage of net investment income or the excess of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over a set threshold. While the thresholds do not adjust for inflation, the NIIT only applies if your MAGI is above the threshold.
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC): Changes to the CTC have been a topic of discussion, but specific details about the modifications have not been provided.
  • Cryptocurrency Transactions: Starting in 2025, crypto exchanges will be mandated to submit a new form, Form 1099-DA, for any sales of cryptocurrencies or other digital assets.
  • The "One Big Beautiful Bill": This legislation, enacted in 2025, made permanent several temporary tax law changes from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). It introduced lower individual tax rates, retained the larger standard deduction, and eliminated or limited certain itemized deductions.
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Frequently asked questions

The One Big Beautiful Bill is a comprehensive legislative package that was passed in July 2025, introducing a significant number of new tax laws. It builds upon the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) by making some of its temporary provisions permanent, such as lower tax brackets and a larger standard deduction.

The One Big Beautiful Bill includes a range of tax changes, such as repealing energy efficiency credits, extending the deduction for qualified business income, and limiting personal casualty losses. It also introduces a new form, Form 1099-DA, for reporting crypto and other digital asset sales.

Tax laws can change annually, and it is essential to stay updated. Official sources such as the IRS website, TurboTax, and H&R Block provide information on new tax laws and how they may impact your financial situation.

Yes, resources like the TurboTax Tax Reform Calculator can help you understand how new tax laws may affect your tax returns and finances. Additionally, consulting a tax advisor or wealth advisor can provide personalized guidance based on your unique financial situation.

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