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Pub 17 - Your Federal Income Tax

This is archived information that pertains only to the 1999 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

The explanations and examples in this publication reflect the interpretation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of tax laws enacted by Congress, Treasury regulations, and Court decisions.

However, the information given does not cover every situation and is not intended to replace the law or change its meaning.

This publication covers some subjects on which a court may have made a decision more favorable to taxpayers than the interpretation by the IRS. Until these differing interpretations are resolved by higher court decisions or in some other way, this publication will continue to present the interpretation by the IRS.

Introduction
 
 
Part 1 - The Income Tax Return
The five chapters in this part provide basic information on the tax system. They take you through the first steps of filling out a tax return-- such as deciding what your filing status is, how many exemptions you can take, and what form to file. They also discuss recordkeeping requirements, IRS e-file (electronic filing), certain penalties, and the two methods used to pay tax during the year: withholding and estimated tax.
 
Chapter 1 - Filing Information
Chapter 2 - Filing Status
Chapter 3 - Personal Exemptions and Dependents
Chapter 4 - Decedents
Chapter 5 - Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
 
Part 2 - Income
The eight chapters in this part discuss many kinds of income. They explain which income is and is not taxed. See Part Three for information on gains and losses you report on Schedule D (Form 1040) and for information on selling your home.
 
Chapter 6 - Wages, Salaries, and Other Earnings
Chapter 7 - Tip Income
Chapter 8 - Interest Income
Chapter 9 - Dividends and Other Corporate Distributions
Chapter 10 - Rental Income and Expenses
Chapter 11 - Retirement Plans, Pensions, and Annuities
Chapter 12 - Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
Chapter 13 - Other Income
 
Part 3 - Gains and Losses
The four chapters in this part discuss investment gains and losses, including how to figure your basis in property. A gain from selling or trading stocks, bonds, or other investment property may be taxed or it may be tax free, at least in part. A loss may or may not be deductible. These chapters also discuss gains from selling property you personally use -- including the special rules for selling your home. Nonbusiness casualty and theft losses are discussed in chapter 27 in Part Five.
 
Chapter 14 - Basis of Property
Chapter 15 - Sale of Property
Chapter 16 - Selling Your Home
Chapter 17 - Reporting Gains and Losses
 
Part 4 - Adjustments to Income
The three chapters in this part discuss three of the adjustments to income that you can deduct in figuring your adjusted gross income.
 
Chapter 18 - Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
Chapter 19 - Moving Expenses
Chapter 20 - Alimony
 
Part 5 - Standard Deduction and Itemized Deductions
After you have figured your adjusted gross income, you are ready to subtract the deductions used to figure taxable income. You can subtract either the standard deduction or itemized deductions. Itemized deductions are deductions for certain expenses that are listed on Schedule A (Form 1040). The ten chapters in this part discuss the standard deduction, each itemized deduction, and the limit on some of your itemized deductions if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain amounts. See chapter 21 for the factors to consider when deciding whether to subtract the standard deduction or itemized deductions.
 
Chapter 21 - Standard Deduction
Chapter 22 - Limit on Itemized Deductions
Chapter 23 - Medical and Dental Expenses
Chapter 24 - Taxes
Chapter 25 - Interest Expense
Chapter 26 - Contributions
Chapter 27 - Nonbusiness Casualty and Theft Losses
Chapter 28 - Car Expenses and Other Employee Business Expenses
Chapter 29 - Tax Benefits for Work-Related Education
Chapter 30 - Miscellaneous Deductions
 
Part 6 - Figuring Your Taxes and Credits
The eight chapters in this part explain how to figure your tax and how to figure the tax of certain children who have more than $1,400 of investment income. They also discuss tax credits that, unlike deductions are subtracted directly from your tax and reduce your tax, dollar for dollar. Chapter 37 discusses the earned income credit and how you may be able to get part of the credit paid to you in advance throughout the year.
 
Chapter 31 - How To Figure Your Tax
Chapter 32 - Tax on Investment Income of Certain Minor Children
Chapter 33 - Child and Dependent Care Credit
Chapter 34 - Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
Chapter 35 - Child Tax Credit
Chapter 36 - Education Credits
Chapter 37 - Earned Income Credit
Chapter 38 - Other Credits
Your Rights as a Taxpayer
How To Get More Information
 
Tax Tables
 

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