Who has to pay the AMT?

Answer

There are two tax systems — the regular tax system and the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). You must pay whichever tax is larger. However, you have to meet the AMT thresholds before you’re subject to the AMT.

Under the AMT system, you can’t take certain adjustments and deductions. So, you could owe more under the AMT than under the regular tax system. The AMT system doesn’t have personal or dependent exemptions. Instead, there’s a single exemption amount based on filing status. The exemption phases out for higher income taxpayers. In addition, the only itemized deductions for AMT are these:

Medical and dental expenses exceeding 7.5% of your regular tax adjusted gross income (AGI)
Charitable contributions
AMT investment interest to the extent of AMT investment income
Qualified housing interest (home mortgage interest with restrictions)
Casualty losses
Miscellaneous deductions not subject to the 2% of AGI limitation

The IRS has an AMT assistant. This will help you determine whether you’re subject to AMT.