How may your taxes change underneath Biden's presidency? – Forbes guide

Editor's Note: Forbes may earn a commission on sales from affiliate links on this page. However, this does not affect the opinions or ratings of our editors.

Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden campaigned for a promise to raise taxes for wealthy Americans and businesses. His key tax proposals will increase taxes for those earning more than $ 400,000 a year and increase corporate tax rates from 21% to 28%.

And while his tax plan will have an impact on the bottom line of the richest Americans, low- and middle-income households can benefit from increased tax credits.

To understand how Biden's presidency could affect your taxes, use our calculator to determine how much you could pay under his tax plan.

Estimated gross annual income

What is your registration status?

More options

About your family

Add dependents and their ages

Child and dependent care expenses

Add dependents and their ages

Child and dependent care expenses

Add dependents and their ages

Child and dependent care expenses

Tax Contributions & Deductions

Under Biden's proposed tax plan, you'll pay $ 5,600 more than under the current federal tax plan under Trump

See more

Comparison of both tax results

European summer time. Federal taxes

European summer time. Federal refund

  • Your federal marginal tax rate remained at X%
  • Your effective tax rate is now x% (previously y%).

Trump wallpaperBiden wallpaperEmail capture

Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only and should not be used for tax preparation purposes. Your actual tax payment or refund may vary based on several factors. For the sake of simplicity, certain deductions and credits are omitted from this tax calculation. We recommend that you seek advice from a tax advisor to determine how changes in tax codes would affect your financial situation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Biden's tax plan

Will these changes occur in time for the 2021 tax season?

The changes won't come fast enough to affect the 2020 tax return (most 2020 taxes for Americans will be filed in Spring 2021). Former President Donald Trump ran on a platform that included major tax cuts, but he was in office for almost a year before signing his tax bill Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed.

With a slim majority of Senate Democrats, Biden's chance of passing an important tax bill has increased, but remains slim as it would require unanimous Democratic support and some Republican votes.

However, Biden has a potential trick up its sleeve: budget reconciliation. This is a special process that makes it easier for the Senate to pass budget laws (including changes to tax law) only requires a simple majority (51 votes) hand over an invoice. In late 2017, for example, Trump passed the law on tax cuts and jobs.

Will the federal tax brackets change if Biden's tax plan is regulated by law?

Yes, but only for the richest Americans. Individuals earning more than $ 400,000 a year will experience a significant change in Biden's tax schedule. According to the Tax Policy Center, if you earn $ 790,000 or more, expect an average payment of 16% of after-tax income. In addition, the tax rate for the top tax bracket will increase from 37% to 39.6%.

If you make more than $ 1,000,000 you will see an increase in the long run Tax rate for investment incomeThis is a special tax levied on assets that are held for more than a year. Finally, Biden suggests a tax cap of 28% Single printsand the elimination of the qualified trade tax deduction for those who earn more than $ 400,000.

Bloomberg notes that Democrats, who control both houses of Congress, will too Control of the tax writing committees in both chambersThis may allow Biden to pass important tax policy changes.

What happens to tax credits?

Biden has no plans to levy taxes on low to middle income taxpayers. However, this group can expect changes in some tax credits, meaning they may have more cash in their pockets. These include the Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and Earned Income Tax Credit. Biden also plans to introduce a retirement tax credit for those who are saving on a 401 (k) plan, a renter's tax credit, and reinstate the homebuyer tax credit.

What are the proposed changes to Child Tax Credit under Biden's Plan?

As part of his US $ 1.9 trillion rescue plan, Biden proposed a temporary extension of the child tax credit.

Biden is attempting to increase the qualified child tax credit from $ 2,000 to $ 3,000. Those who have children under the age of 6 will receive an additional $ 600. Biden also suggests a full refund of the balance.

Under applicable law, a taxpayer can claim a child tax credit of up to $ 2,000 for qualified children under the age of 17. This credit is a refundable credit of up to $ 1,400. If the tax credit is greater than the amount of tax owed, the taxpayer may expect your money back. This credit expires for anyone earning $ 200,000 or more ($ 400,000 for married couples filing together).

What are the Proposed Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Changes?

Biden proposed a temporary extension of the EITC as part of his American rescue plan with the aim of helping low-income workers. He would increase the EITC for an adult without children from about $ 530 to about $ 1,500. The income limit required to qualify would increase from around $ 16,000 to around $ 21,000. The EITC is one of the most popular tax credits in the United States 25 million eligible workers and families applied for the loan and the average claimed amount during the 2020 tax return season was $ 2,461.

What would change with the loan for children and those in need of care?

Biden's tax plan aims to increase eligible child and care expenses from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 ($ 16,000 for two or more dependents).

According to current law, a taxpayer can claim the credit for child and care needs for qualified expenses for care needs. Taxpayers can deduct $ 3,000 ($ 6,000 for two or more dependents) from the cost of dependent care paid on their federal income tax return.

The dependent must be under the age of 13, a spouse or other eligible person unable to support themselves. The tax credit allowed depends on the taxpayer's income.

Calculator methodology

The main purpose of this calculator is to compare Biden's top tax proposals with the current tax law to show the expected tax changes. It does not compare any other income, deduction, or credit that is expected to remain unchanged even if Biden passes a new tax law. This calculator and its inputs are based on information from the current tax law (the 2017 tax cuts and employment laws), the tax brackets forecast for 2020, and the core guidelines proposed by Biden as follows:

Biden's main tax proposals

  • Increase in tax rate from 37% to 39.6% for households earning $ 400,000 or more;
  • Child tax credit increased from $ 2,000 to $ 3,000 ($ 3,600 for those under 6 years of age);
  • Child and Care Loan Increase from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 per dependent ($ 6,000 to $ 16,000 for multiple dependents); and
  • For households earning more than $ 400,000, deductions are limited to 28%.

Limitations of this calculator

  1. The estimated taxes or planned refunds do not take into account EITC Tax Credit, additional Medicare taxes levied on high-income individuals, capital gains taxes, or self-employment taxes, which may affect your tax position.
  2. The child and care credit does not take into account relatives and spouses who are physically or mentally unable to look after themselves for more than 13 years.
  3. We have changed the tax brackets for 2020 to reflect Biden's tax proposals. For single people and heads of household, we've adjusted the 35% tax bracket to reflect the $ 400,000 income limit. For married couples filing together, we've adjusted the 32% and 35% tax brackets to reflect the upper income limit of $ 400,000. For all taxpayers, we've replaced the 37% with Biden's proposed 39.6% tax increase for income over $ 400,000.