To fund the government through the end of its 2020 fiscal year and provide funding for various projects and purposes, Congress passed a massive spending measure just before adjourning for the Christmas holiday and it was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2019. Titled the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865), this new law makes an estimated $426 billion in tax cuts for both individuals and businesses. These changes require individuals to reexamine their tax returns for 2018, consider which new rules apply for 2019, and plan ahead for 2020 and beyond. Changes impacting businesses will be discussed in an upcoming column.

Extended Provisions

A number of tax rules for individuals expired at the end of 2017. They have been extended retroactively to 2018; they apply as well for 2019 and 2020.