Your Guide to the AMT Tax

Everything you need to know about the alternative minimum tax, plus strategies to help you avoid it.

The alternative minimum tax (AMT) was designed to keep wealthy taxpayers from using loopholes to avoid paying taxes. But because it's not regularly updated for inflation, more middle-class taxpayers are getting hit with the AMT.

These FAQs provide the latest information on the AMT and help at-risk taxpayers indentify strategies to lower or avoid the AMT.

UNDERSTANDING THE AMT

What Is the Alternative Minimum Tax?

Find out how 155 taxpayers caused Congress to create a separate income tax system that affects millions of Americans today.

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Why the the Middle Class Pays the AMT

The AMT is not supposed to target moderate-income earners, and yet each year, more middle-class taxpayers owe this tax. Find out why.

How Can I Avoid the AMT?

Kiplinger's walks taxpayers through Form 6251 line by line, offering tax-planning strategies that could help fend off the alternative minimum tax.

AMT UPDATES

AMT Exemption for 2007

In December 2007, Congress passed temporary legislation to prevent more middle-class Americans from paying the AMT. Find a concise overview of the latest changes here.