2001 Tax Help Archives  

What’s New for 2001?

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2001 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

For details on the changes for 2001 and 2002, see Pub. 553.


Tax Rates Reduced. Most of the tax rates have been reduced and are reflected in the Tax Table that begins on page 59 and the Tax Rate Schedules on page 71. In addition, a new 10% tax rate applies to certain dependents. Dependents may be able to use the Tax Computation Worksheet for Certain Dependents to figure their tax. This worksheet gives the benefit of a new 10% rate. See the instructions for line 40 that begin on page 33. Dependents cannot take the rate reduction credit mentioned below.

Rate Reduction Credit. You may be able to take a new credit of up to the amount shown below for your 2001 filing status. But you cannot take this credit if you received (before offset) an advance payment of your 2001 taxes that was equal to or more than the amount shown below. See the worksheet on page 36.

Single or married filing separately—$300

Head of household—$500

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)—$600

Advance Payment Not Taxable. Any amount you received as an advance payment of your 2001 taxes is not taxable and should not be reported on your return.

Larger Child Tax Credits. If you have at least one child who was under age 17 at the end of 2001, you may be able to take a credit on line 48 of up to $600 for each qualifying child. You may also be able to take the additional child tax credit on line 63 your credit on line 48 is less than $600 for each qualifying child. See the instructions for line 48 that begin on page 37 and the instructions for line 63 on page 51.

Student Loan Interest Deduction. If you paid interest on a qualified student loan, you may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest. See the instructions for line 24 that begin on page 28.

Third Party Designee. If you want to allow the IRS to discuss your 2001 tax return with a family member, friend, or any other person you choose, check the “Yes” box in the Third Party Designee area of your return and enter the requested information. See page 53 for details.

Schedule D Tax Computation Simplified. To make the tax computation easier for most people with capital gains, 14 lines have been removed from Part IV of Schedule D.

IRA Deduction. You may be able to take an IRA deduction if you were covered by a retirement plan and your modified adjusted gross income is less than $43,000 ($63,000 if married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)). See the instructions for line 23 that begin on page 27.

Education (Ed) IRAs. Ed IRAs are now called Coverdell education savings accounts (ESAs).

Earned Income Credit (EIC).You may be able to take this credit if you earned less than $32,121 (less than $10,710 if you do not have any qualifying children). See the instructions for lines 61a and 61b that begin on page 41.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).The AMT exemption amounts have been increased. See the instructions for line 41 that begin on page 34.

Standard Mileage Rates. The rate for business use of your vehicle is 34 1/2cents a mile. The rate for use of your vehicle to get medical care is 12 cents a mile.

Mailing Your Return.You may be mailing your return to a different address this year because the IRS has changed the filing location for several areas. If you received an envelope with your tax package, please use it. Otherwise, see Where Do You File? on the back cover.

Tax Relief for Victims of Terrorist Attacks. See Pub. 3920.

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