IRS Releases Inflation-Adjusted Tables For 2006.

Rev. Proc. 2005-70

                           Table of Contents

This revenue procedure sets forth inflation adjusted items for 2006.

SECTION 2. CHANGES

.01 The amount of tax imposed by § 4161(b)(2)(A) on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used in the manufacture of certain arrows is adjusted for inflation. (Section 3.29).

SECTION 3. 2006 ADJUSTED ITEMS

.01 Tax Rate Tables. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the tax rate tables under § 1 are as follows:

.03 Adoption Credit. For taxable years beginning in 2006, under § 23(a)(3) the maximum credit allowed for an adoption of a child with special needs is $10,960. For taxable years beginning in 2006, under § 23(b)(1) the maximum credit allowed with regard to other adoptions is the amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $10,960. The available adoption credit begins to phase out under § 23(b)(2)(A) for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $164,410 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $204,410. (See section 3.14 of this revenue procedure for the adjusted items relating to adoption assistance programs.)

.04 Child Tax Credit. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the value used in § 24(d)(1)(B)(i) in determining the amount of credit under § 24 that may be refundable is $11,300.

.05 Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits.

(1) For taxable years beginning in 2006, 100 percent of qualified tuition and related expenses not in excess of $1,100 and 50 percent of such expenses in excess of $1,100 are taken into account in determining the amount of the Hope Scholarship Credit under § 25A(b)(1).

(2) For taxable years beginning in 2006, a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income in excess of $45,000 ($90,000 for a joint return) is taken into account in determining the reduction under § 25A(d)(2)(A)(ii) in the amount of the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credits otherwise allowable under § 25A(a).

.06 Earned Income Credit.

(1) In general. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the following amounts are used to determine the earned income credit under § 32(b). The "earned income amount" is the amount of earned income at or above which the maximum amount of the earned income credit is allowed. The "threshold phaseout amount" is the amount of adjusted gross income (or, if greater, earned income) above which the maximum amount of the credit begins to phase out. The "completed phaseout amount" is the amount of adjusted gross income (or if greater, earned income) at or above which no credit is allowed.

          Number of Qualifying Children

(2) Excessive investment income. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the earned income tax credit is denied under § 32(i) if the aggregate amount of certain investment income exceeds $2,800.

.07 Low-Income Housing Credit. For calendar year 2006, the amounts used under § 42(h)(3)(C)(ii) to calculate the State housing credit ceiling for the low-income housing credit is the greater of (i) $1.90 multiplied by the State population, or (ii) $2,190,000.

.08 Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption for a Child Subject to the "Kiddie Tax." For taxable years beginning in 2006, for a child to whom the § 1(g) "kiddie tax" applies, the exemption amount under §§ 55 and 59(j) for purposes of the alternative minimum tax under § 55 may not exceed the sum of (i) such child's earned income for the taxable year, plus (ii) $6,050.

.09 Transportation Mainline Pipeline Construction Industry Optional Expense Substantiation Rules for Payments to Employees under Accountable Plans. For calendar year 2006, an eligible employer may pay certain welders and heavy equipment mechanics an amount of up to $14 per hour for rig-related expenses that is deemed substantiated under an accountable plan when paid in accordance with Rev. Proc. 2002-41, 2002-1 C.B. 1098. If the employer provides fuel or otherwise reimburses fuel expenses, up to $8 per hour is deemed substantiated when paid under Rev. Proc. 2002-41.

.10 Standard Deduction.

(1) In general. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the standard deduction amounts under § 63(c)(2) are as follows:

 Filing Status            Standard Deduction

(3) Aged and blind. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the additional standard deduction amounts under § 63(f) for the aged and for the blind are $1,000 for each. These amounts are increased to $1,250 if the individual is also unmarried and not a surviving spouse.

.11 Overall Limitation on Itemized Deductions. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the "applicable amount" of adjusted gross income under § 68(b), above which the amount of otherwise allowable itemized deductions is reduced under § 68, is $150,500 (or $75,250 for a separate return filed by a married individual).

.12 Qualified Transportation Fringe. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the monthly limitation under § 132(f)(2)(A) (regarding the aggregate fringe benefit exclusion amount for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle and any transit pass) is $105. The monthly limitation under § 132(f)(2)(B) (regarding the fringe benefit exclusion amount for qualified parking) is $205.

.13 Income from United States Savings Bonds for Taxpayers Who Pay Qualified Higher Education Expenses. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the exclusion under § 135 (regarding income from United States savings bonds for taxpayers who pay qualified higher education expenses) begins to phase out for modified adjusted gross income above $94,700 for joint returns and $63,100 for other returns. This exclusion completely phases out for modified adjusted gross income of $124,700 or more for joint returns and $78,100 or more for other returns.

.14 Adoption Assistance Programs. For taxable years beginning in 2006, under § 137(a)(2) the maximum amount that can be excluded from an employee's gross income in connection with the adoption by the employee of a child with special needs is $10,960. For taxable years beginning in 2006, under § 137(b)(1) the maximum amount that can be excluded from an employee's gross income for the amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for qualified adoption expenses furnished pursuant to an adoption assistance program in connection with other adoptions by the employee is $10,960. The amount excludable from an employee's gross income begins to phase out under § 137(b)(2)(A) for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $164,410 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $204,410. (See section 3.03 of this revenue procedure for the adjusted items relating to the adoption credit.)

.15 Private Activity Bonds Volume Cap. For calendar year 2006, the amounts used under § 146(d)(1) to calculate the State ceiling for the volume cap for private activity bonds is the greater of (i) $80 multiplied by the State population, or (ii) $246,610,000.

.16 Safe Harbor Rules for Broker Commissions on Guaranteed Investment Contracts or Investments Purchased for a Yield Restricted Defeasance Escrow. For calendar year 2006, under § 1.148- 5(e)(2)(iii)(B)(1), a broker's commission or similar fee with respect to the acquisition of a guaranteed investment contract or investments purchased for a yield restricted defeasance escrow is reasonable to the extent that (i) the amount of the fee that the issuer treats as a qualified administrative cost does not exceed the lesser of (A) $32,000, or (B) 0.2 percent of the computational base (as defined in § 1.148-5(e)(2)(iii)(B)(2)) or, if more, $3,000; and (ii) the issuer does not treat more than $90,000 in brokers' commissions or similar fees as qualified administrative costs with respect to all guaranteed investment contracts and investments for yield restricted defeasance escrows purchased with gross proceeds of the issue.

.17 Personal Exemption.

(1) Exemption amount. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the personal exemption amount under § 151(d) is $3,300.

(2) Phase out. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the personal exemption amount begins to phase out at, and is completely phased out after, the following adjusted gross income amounts:

.19 Eligible Long-Term Care Premiums. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the limitations under § 213(d)(10) (regarding eligible long-term care premiums includible in the term "medical care") are as follows:

 Attained Age Before the Close

(1) Self-only coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the term "high deductible health plan" as defined in § 220(c)(2)(A) means, for self-only coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $1,800 and not more than $2,700, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits does not exceed $3,650.

(2) Family coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the term "high deductible health plan" means, for family coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $3,650 and not more than $5,450, and under which the annual out-of- pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits does not exceed $6,650.

.21 Interest on Education Loans. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the $2,500 maximum deduction for interest paid on qualified education loans under § 221 is reduced under § 221(b)(2)(B) when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $50,000 ($105,000 for joint returns), and is completely eliminated when modified adjusted gross income is $65,000 ($135,000 for joint returns).

.22 Health Savings Accounts.

(1) Monthly contribution limitation. For calendar year 2006, the monthly limitation on deductions under § 223(b)(2)(A) for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible plan as of the first day of such month is 1/12 of the lesser of (i) the annual deductible, or (ii) $2,700. For calendar year 2006, the monthly limitation on deductions under § 223(b)(2)(B) for an individual with family coverage under a high deductible plan as of the first day of such month is 1/12 of the lesser of (i) the annual deductible, or (ii) $5,450.

(2) High deductible health plan. For calendar year 2006, a high deductible health plan is defined under § 223(c)(2)(A) as a health plan with an annual deductible that is not less than $1,050 for self-only coverage or $2,100 for family coverage, and the annual out-of pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments, and other amounts, but not premiums) do not exceed $5,250 for self-only coverage or $10,500 for family coverage.

.23 Treatment of Dues Paid to Agricultural or Horticultural Organizations. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the limitation under § 512(d)(1) (regarding the exemption of annual dues required to be paid by a member to an agricultural or horticultural organization) is $131.

.24 Insubstantial Benefit Limitations for Contributions Associated with Charitable Fund-Raising Campaigns.

(1) Low cost article. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the unrelated business income of certain exempt organizations under § 513(h)(2) does not include a "low cost article" of $8.60 or less.

(2) Other insubstantial benefits. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the $5, $25, and $50 guidelines in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 90-12, 1990-1 C.B. 471 (as amplified and modified), for disregarding the value of insubstantial benefits received by a donor in return for a fully deductible charitable contribution under § 170, are $8.60, $43, and $86, respectively.

.25 Funeral Trusts. For a contract entered into during calendar year 2006 for a "qualified funeral trust," as defined in § 685, the trust may not accept aggregate contributions by or for the benefit of an individual in excess of $8,500.

.26 Expatriation to Avoid Tax. For calendar year 2006, an individual with "average annual net income tax" of more than $131,000 for the 5 taxable years ending before the date of the loss of United States citizenship under § 877(a)(2)(A) is subject to tax under § 877(b).

.27 Valuation of Qualified Real Property in Decedent's Gross Estate. For an estate of a decedent dying in calendar year 2006, if the executor elects to use the special use valuation method under § 2032A for qualified real property, the aggregate decrease in the value of qualified real property resulting from electing to use § 2032A that is taken into account for purposes of the estate tax may not exceed $900,000.

.28 Annual Exclusion for Gifts.

(1) For calendar year 2006, the first $12,000 of gifts to any person (other than gifts of future interests in property) are not included in the total amount of taxable gifts under § 2503 made during that year.

(2) For calendar year 2006, the first $120,000 of gifts to a spouse who is not a citizen of the United States (other than gifts of future interests in property) are not included in the total amount of taxable gifts under §§ 2503 and 2523(i)(2) made during that year.

.29 Tax on Arrow Shafts. For calendar year 2006, the tax imposed under § 4161(b)(2)(A) on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used in the manufacture of certain arrows is $0.40 per shaft.

.30 Passenger Air Transportation Excise Tax. For calendar year 2006, the tax under § 4261(b) on the amount paid for each domestic segment of taxable transportation by air is $3.30. For calendar year 2006, the tax under § 4261(c) on any amount paid (whether within or without the United States) for any transportation of any person by air, if such transportation begins or ends in the United States, generally is $14.50. However, for a domestic segment beginning or ending in Alaska or Hawaii as described in § 4261(c)(3), the tax only applies to departures and is at the rate of $7.30.

.31 Reporting Exception for Certain Exempt Organizations with Nondeductible Lobbying Expenditures. For taxable years beginning in 2006, the annual per person, family, or entity dues limitation to qualify for the reporting exception under § 6033(e)(3) (and section 5.05 of Rev. Proc. 98-19, 1998-1 C.B. 547), regarding certain exempt organizations with nondeductible lobbying expenditures, is $91 or less.

.32 Notice of Large Gifts Received from Foreign Persons. For taxable years beginning in 2006, recipients of gifts from certain foreign persons may be required to report these gifts under § 6039F if the aggregate value of gifts received in a taxable year exceeds $12,760.

.33 Persons Against Which a Federal Tax Lien Is Not Valid. For calendar year 2006, a federal tax lien is not valid against (i) certain purchasers under § 6323(b)(4) who purchased personal property in a casual sale for less than $1,240, or (ii) a mechanic's lienor under § 6323(b)(7) that repaired or improved certain residential property if the contract price with the owner is not more than $6,210.

.34 Property Exempt from Levy. For calendar year 2006, the value of property exempt from levy under § 6334(a)(2) (fuel, provisions, furniture, and other household personal effects, as well as arms for personal use, livestock, and poultry) may not exceed $7,430. The value of property exempt from levy under § 6334(a)(3) (books and tools necessary for the trade, business, or profession of the taxpayer) may not exceed $3,710.

.35 Interest on a Certain Portion of the Estate Tax Payable in Installments. For an estate of a decedent dying in calendar year 2006, the dollar amount used to determine the "2-percent portion" (for purposes of calculating interest under § 6601(j)) of the estate tax extended as provided in § 6166 is $1,200,000.

.36 Attorney Fee Awards. For fees incurred in calendar year 2006, the attorney fee award limitation under § 7430(c)(1)(B)(iii) is $160 per hour.

.37 Periodic Payments Received under Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts or under Certain Life Insurance Contracts. For calendar year 2006, the stated dollar amount of the per diem limitation under § 7702B(d)(4) (regarding periodic payments received under a qualified long-term care insurance contract or periodic payments received under a life insurance contract that are treated as paid by reason of the death of a chronically ill individual) is $250.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

.01 General Rule. Except as provided in section 4.02, this revenue procedure applies to taxable years beginning in 2006.

.02 Calendar Year Rule. This revenue procedure applies to transactions or events occurring in calendar year 2006 for purposes of sections 3.07 (low-income housing credit), 3.09 (pipeline construction industry optional expense substantiation rules), 3.15 (private activity bond volume cap), 3.16 (safe harbor rules for broker commissions on guaranteed investment contracts or investments purchased for a yield restricted defeasance escrow), 3.22 (health savings accounts), 3.25 (funeral trusts), 3.26 (expatriation to avoid tax), 3.27 (valuation of qualified real property in decedent's gross estate), 3.28 (annual exclusion for gifts), 3.29 (tax on arrow shafts), 3.30 (passenger air transportation excise tax), 3.33 (persons against which a federal tax lien is not valid), 3.34 (property exempt from levy), 3.35 (interest on a certain portion of the estate tax payable in installments), 3.36 (attorney fee awards), and 3.37 (periodic payments received under qualified long-term care insurance contracts or under certain life insurance contracts).

SECTION 5. DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this revenue procedure is Marnette M. Myers of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting). For further information regarding this revenue procedure, contact Ms. Myers on (202) 622-4920 (not a toll-free call).