Why It Matters
The goal of the AMT is to ensure that everyone pays at least some income tax. This is why the AMT calculations effectively eliminate several types of deductions and credits, creating a tax liability for a person who would otherwise pay little or no tax.
The AMT system is complicated and controversial. Its elimination of many deductions and credits particularly affect people with large amounts of itemized deductions, people with many children or dependents, people who exercise incentive stock options, and those who pay high state and local taxes or high personal property taxes. Also, because the AMT thresholds have not been frequently adjusted for inflation, more and more middle-income taxpayers are subject to AMT.
The AMT is a good example of why taxpayers should take the time to plan for taxes and consult a tax professional. In some cases, those liable for AMT may be able to lower their total tax bills by claiming itemized deductions on Form 1040, even if their total itemized deductions are less than the standard deduction. This is because the AMT system does not allow the standard deduction, and if a taxpayer claims the standard agency bond on Form 1040, he or she cannot claim itemized deductions for the AMT, according to the IRS. This could result in a lower tax bill even though the taxpayer has claimed fewer deductions.
[InvestingAnswers Feature: The AMT Trap and How to Avoid It]
Source: Investing Answers
