This morning President Trump signed a budget bill averting yet another government shutdown. Tucked in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 are several extender provisions that expired but are now available retroactively through Dec. 31, 2017.
The most notable extenders include:
Exclusion for discharge of indebtedness on a principal residence. The provision extends the exclusion from gross income of a discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness through 2017. The provision also modifies the exclusion to apply to qualified principal residence indebtedness that is discharged pursuant to a binding written agreement entered into in 2017.
Premiums for mortgage insurance (PMI) deductible as mortgage interest. The provision extends the treatment of qualified mortgage insurance premiums as interest for purposes of the mortgage interest deduction through 2017. This deduction phases out ratably for taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $100,000 to $110,000.
Above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses. The provision extends the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses for higher education through 2017. The deduction is capped at $4,000 for an individual whose adjusted gross income (AGI) does not exceed $65,000 ($130,000 for joint filers) or $2,000 for an individual whose AGI does not exceed $80,000 ($160,000 for joint filers).
Extension of credit for non-business energy property. The provision extends through 2017 the credit for purchases of non-business energy property. The provision allows a credit of 10 percent of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy improvements, up to $500 (life-time).
If your return has already been filed, and you feel that one of these changes will affect your situation, please send us an email with any information. Your return may need to be amended. The charge for an amended return is $50, plus any additional forms that need to be included.