The 2012 IRS Indexed Figures (for the Adoption Credit, Adoption Credit through Section 125 Cafeteria Plans, Commuter Accounts, Health Savings Account and Long-Term Care) have been released and are as follows:
Dependent and/or Child Day Care Expenses
Just a reminder. Although the day care expense limit associated with a cafeteria plan is not indexed, the credit available through a participant’s tax filing was raised in 2003. The day care expenses credit must be filed on Form 2441, which should be attached to the 1040 tax filing form.
The cafeteria plan day care contribution limit remains at $5,000 for a married couple filing a joint return, or for a single parent filing as “Head of Household.” For a married couple filing separate returns, the limit is $2,500 each.
The limits for the day care expenses credit are $3,000 of expenses covering one child and $6,000 for families with two or more children. If one of the parents is going to school full time or is incapable of self-care, the non-working spouse would be “deemed” as earning $250 per month for one qualifying child and $500 for two or more qualifying children. This “deemed” earned income is to be used whether a person is using the employer’s cafeteria plan or taking the day care credit.
The day care credit is reduced, dollar for dollar, by contributions to or benefits received from an employer’s cafeteria plan. A participant may participate in their employer’s cafeteria plan and also take a portion of the day care expenses through the credit if they have sufficient expenses in excess of their cafeteria plan annual election, but within the tax credit limits.
Earned Income Tax Credit
By participating in a cafeteria plan, the participant will be lowering their income for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Check the new limits in IRS Publication 596 “Earned Income Credit” and for more information about this tax credit.
Social Security and Medicare Wage Base
For 2012, the Social Security wage base will increase to $110,100 from $106,800 in 2011. The tax rate for employee withholdings is 7.65% barring any last-minute legislation. The Social Security rate of 6.2% is applied to wages up to the maximum taxable amount for the year. The employer matching FICA rate remains at 7.65% of wages up to the maximum taxable amount. The Medicare portion of 1.45% is applied to all wages.
Indexed Compensation Levels
The indexed compensation levels for determining who is highly compensated or a key employee are as follows.
401(k) Plans
The maximum for elective deferrals will increase to $17,000 for 2012. And for those 50 or older, the catch-up contribution rate will remain the same as it was in 2011 at $5,500 for 2012.
Join the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) in their 1st Annual Health & Wellness Fair. This event should prove to be dynamic and interactive. You’ll be able to peruse a multitude of vendors with a wide variety of products and services that will help you look and Feel Fabulous in 2012 and beyond!
Congress has not acted to extend the monthly allowable transit benefit that was increased as a part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Transit Benefit extension was not included in the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 which extended the payroll tax cut for 2 months and was signed into law by the President.
