The American Taxpayer Relief Act averts the United States’ descent over the “fiscal cliff” — a combination of higher taxes and forced spending cuts scheduled to go into effect in 2013. The act prevents income tax rate increases for about 98% of taxpayers and makes other changes affecting individuals and businesses. Here’s a brief summary of the most important provisions.

Individual tax provisions

• Makes permanent 2012 ordinary-income tax rates, ranging from 10% to 35%
• Increases the top marginal tax rate to 39.6% on taxable income in excess of the applicable threshold of $400,000 (singles), $425,000 (heads of households) or $450,000 (married filing jointly)
• Allows the scheduled 2013 return of the limits on certain itemized deductions and personal exemptions — setting limit thresholds of $250,000 (singles), $275,000 (heads of households) and $300,000 (married filing jointly)
• Makes permanent 2012 long-term capital gains rates of 0% and 15%
• Increases long-term capital gains rate to 20% for taxpayers with taxable income exceeding $400,000 (singles), $425,000 (heads of households) or $450,000 (married filing jointly)
• Makes permanent long-term capital gains treatment for qualified dividends
• Makes permanent (and retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012) alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief
• Extends the deduction for state and local sales tax in lieu of state and local income tax
• Extends various child- and education-related credits and deductions
• Extends the ability of taxpayers age 70½ or older to make a direct tax-free rollover from an IRA to charity
• Extends certain home and energy-related breaks
• Increases the top estate tax rate to 40%
• Maintains the estate tax exemption amount at $5 million, inflation-adjusted annually

Business tax provisions

Several valuable tax breaks for businesses have been extended, such as:

• Bonus depreciation
• Enhanced Section 179 expensing
• Accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold, retail and restaurant improvements
• The Work Opportunity credit
• The research and development credit
• Certain energy-related breaks

The impact on you

We’ve touched on only some of ATRA’s numerous provisions here. In addition, many breaks are subject to a variety of rules and limitations. So be sure to discuss them with your tax advisor to determine exactly how they’ll affect you. We’d be pleased to help.