ANALYSIS: My Tax Reform Impact

Just for the sake of comparison, to see what the potential impact would be to our personal Federal tax returns, I did a quick analysis of the major points from tax reform against my 2016 filing (married filing jointly).

The issues with direct impact to our tax returns are:

• Repeal of the State & Local (SALT) Deduction
• Property Tax Deduction Limit at $10K
• Mortgage Interest Deduction - capped at property values of $500k
• Repeal of Personal Exemptions
• Doubling of Standard Deduction

With tax reform, when it comes to reducing our Adjusted Gross Income, we have the option of choosing the new Standard Deduction in the range of $24k or Itemizing. If we itemize, we are losing out on nearly $25k in deductions compared to what we could be getting with the current tax law. This is mostly related to the loss of the SALT deduction and the removal of Personal Exemptions. So previously where we most certainly would have itemized, we are now on the cusp of choosing the Standard Deduction over the Itemized Deduction. It's close.

This brings us to our taxable income. The change in the tax brackets put another wrench into the computation. Where we previously would have been in the 28% bracket, we could potentially be in either the 24% or 25% bracket, depending on whose rate passes (between House or Senate) or some agreed upon number. So the reduction in tax rate is helpful. What will really determine the end result is what the tax table will determine as the subtraction factor.

What do I mean? If you make over $100k, there is a multiplier and then a subtraction. So for example, if you make $100k (married filing jointly), your tax is $21,037 [($100,000 x 28%) - $6,963]. The subtraction factor is the $6,963.

If there are no changes to the subtraction factor, then our resulting tax liability could be in the ballpark of what the liability is previous to tax reform. If they make some changes to this subtraction factor, then there could be potential for greater or lesser tax due. So the impact of tax reform to my personal tax return could be minimal FOR NOW, but annoying all the same. There is plenty of potential future impact, especially in the purchase of a new home (mortgage interest, property tax) or even just borrowing against my equity, not to mention the tuition expenses that I'll have later in life for my children (potentially non-deductible now - but my hope is for tax reform again in the future to reverse this if it pushes through now).

For many others, it could be a bigger headache and a much bigger impact.

Take heed! This is only for the Federal income tax portion of the tax puzzle. We have yet to see how the states react to any Federal tax reform. If they conform to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) or not will determine impact to our SALT liabilities. Remember, the Federal government could potentially take away from each State's own revenue. This could potentially be another detriment or benefit depending on which way each local government responds to the changes.

If you haven't already read up on it, I suggest you do. And I also advise speaking to your Tax Accountant and/or Financial Adviser to discuss your impact. Here's a few articles to read in the meantime:

- OPINION: Tax Cuts And Jobs Act - Detrimental to the Middle Class
- How your tax bracket could change under Trump's tax plan, in two charts

- 9 Sticking Points The House And Senate Have To Work Out In Their Tax Bills

- Seven Things States Should Monitor in the Federal Tax Bill

- Important Differences Between the House and Senate Tax Reform Bills Heading into Conference

- Macro-Market Research: Federal Tax Reform Has Significant Implications for State and Local Government Finances

The "A" Team

I've never had such a mix of emotions in one day more than today. I knew it was going to be a bittersweet experience leaving a company that I've worked for nearly 6 years but I didn't think it would be like this.

I explained to someone today that leaving my previous roles felt different. I was either looking for something better without a care as to whom I left behind, or to move up the corporate ladder with no real ties or anything to ground me, or I was not really an impact player or important to a team; I was another employee ID in the system. Those departures were easy and less emotional.

Leaving my team here has been gut wrenching because I've grown with them. I've developed relationships that I hope and believe will truly stand the test of time and last my lifetime. We've had some ups and downs, celebrations and WTF moments, laughter and tears (but none more than today). We've grown as a team and as individuals supported by each other, giving guidance, taking insights, feeding passions, and opening doors.

Happily, I leave this door open behind me for others to follow or peer into. And I'll never close it because although I walk through it alone today, I hope to share the experiences on the other side of the threshold and/or to be joined by many in the not so distant future. This is my open door policy, and I hope to smile at those who enter rather than cry on my way out.

Another Deadline in the Books

It's been years since I've been in public accounting with the Big 4 at PricewaterhouseCoopers. And I certainly don't miss all the long hours working on corporate tax returns for multiple clients at a time. But I completely understand what you tax accountants have been going through even though I'm on the private side now. Believe me, my wife is still in the business, and I can feel her pain. 

The careers we chose is not easy. We battle time, constant change, different personalities, a variety of demands, little rewards, limited sleep, unhealthy eating. We find little time for our spouses, pets, families, or socializing. And in the end, we only have the end goal of "pushing a button" (on 9/15 and 10/15) to satisfy the government's requirement to file what clients are unable to do on their own.

It's a thankless job, but someone has to do it. And that's us.