21. Kiddie Tax Gets More Teeth
Under the old law, investment income earned by dependent children under the age of 19 (or 24 if a full time student) was generally taxed at the parents’ rate, so the tax rate would vary depending on the parents’ income. Starting in 2018, such income will be taxed at the same rates as trusts and estates … which will produce a much higher tax bill. The top 37% tax rate in 2018 kicks in at $600,000 for a married couple filing a joint return. That same rate kicks in at $12,500 for trusts and estates …. and, now, the kiddie tax, too.
