For 2024 it is difficult to track of what’s new and changed from last year, and there are lots of tax law changes and updates for 2024 that you need to know.

To help, we put together a list of the most important tax law changes for 2024.  Pay attention to these changes because they can hurt or help your bottom line. Use this information now so you can hold on to more of your hard-earned money when it’s time to file your 2024 federal income tax return (in early 2025).

Retirement plan changes

Among the changes that take effect this year are the following.

• People under age 59½ can take more penalty-free early withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s. Up to $10,000 for domestic abuse victims and $1,000 for emergencies can be taken without paying the 10% additional tax. Regular income tax would still be due.
• Leftover funds in 529 education accounts can be rolled over tax-free to a Roth IRA. There is a $ 35,000-lifetime cap. Yearly rollover amounts can’t exceed the annual pay-in limit for Roth IRAs, which is $7,000 for 2024. And the 529 account must have been open for more than 15 years.

Roth 401(k) owners no longer need to take required minimum distributions.

• The qualified charitable distribution cap is indexed for inflation so that IRA owners 70½ and older can transfer up to $105,000 in 2024 from their IRAs directly to charity without having to pay tax on the withdrawal.

Additionally, key dollar limits on workplace retirement plans and IRAs increase in 2024. The maximum 401(k) contribution is $23,000. People born before 1975 can contribute an extra $7,500. These limits also apply to 403(b)s and 457 plans.

SIMPLEs have a $16,000 cap, plus $3,500 for individuals age 50 and older.

The 2024 contribution cap for traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs is $7,000, plus $1,000 as an additional catch-up contribution for individuals age 50 and older.

The income ceilings on Roth IRA pay-ins are higher for 2024. Contributions phase out at adjusted gross incomes of $230,000 to $240,000 for joint filers and $146,000 to $161,000 for single filers.

2024 deduction phaseouts for traditional IRAs range from adjusted gross incomes of $123,000 to $143,000 for joint filers covered by 401(k)s and $77,000 to $87,000 for single filers and heads of household. If only one spouse is covered by the plan, the phaseout range for deducting pay-ins for the uncovered spouse is $230,000 to $240,000.

Tax credits and deductions 2024

EV tax credit

Eligible buyers of qualifying EVs can opt to monetize up to the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. starting in 2024, by transferring it to the dealer at the time of purchase, thus lowering the amount the buyer pays for the car. Buyers can otherwise elect to claim the break on their federal tax return that they will file in the subsequent year.

IRS guidance requires auto dealers to register on the IRS’s online tool, IRS Energy Credits Online, to receive advance credit payments from eligible EV sales. Buyers who opt for the advance credit to lower the cost of the car will have to repay it when filing their Form 1040 if their modified AGI exceeds the limit for taking the credit.

Adoption tax credit

The adoption credit is taken on up to $16,810 of qualified expenses in 2024. The full credit is available for a special-needs adoption even if it costs less.

HSAs

There are record-high HSA contribution limits for 2024:

• Individuals can contribute up to $4,150 to their HSA accounts for 2024.
• Families can contribute up to $8,300.

Gift and estate tax exclusion

The lifetime estate and gift tax exemption for 2024 is $13,610,000.

More estate tax liability qualifies for an installment payment tax break. If one or more closely held businesses make up greater than 35% of a 2024 estate, as much as $740,000 of tax can be deferred, and the IRS will charge only 2% interest.

The annual gift tax exclusion for 2024 is $18,000 per donee. That means in 2024, you can gift up to $18,000 ($36,000 if your spouse agrees) to each child, grandchild or any other person without having to file a gift tax return or tap your lifetime estate and gift tax exemption. Annual gifts over the exclusion amount will trigger filing of a gift tax return for 2024.

Business tax changes

Depreciation

First-year bonus depreciation isn’t as valuable in 2024. Last year, businesses could deduct 80% of the cost of new and used qualifying business assets with lives of 20 years or less. This year, the 80% write-off decreases to 60%.

• Note that the amount of business assets expensed can’t exceed the business’s taxable income. Bonus depreciation doesn’t have this rule.

Pass-through income

A key dollar threshold on the 20% deduction for pass-through income rises in 2024. Self-employeds and owners of LLCs, S corporations and other pass-throughs can deduct 20% of their qualified business income, subject to limitations.

Mileage rate

The 2024 standard mileage rate for business driving is 67 cents per mile. The mileage allowance for medical travel and military moves is 21 cents per mile in 2024. The charitable driving rate is fixed by law and stays put at 14 cents a mile.