The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law on August 16, 2022, includes health-care and
energy-related provisions, a new corporate alternative minimum tax, and an excise tax on
certain corporate stock buybacks. Additional funding is also provided to the IRS. Some significant
provisions in the Act are discussed below.
Medicare
The legislation authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate Medicare
prices for certain high-priced, single-source drugs. However, only 10 of the most expensive
drugs will be chosen initially, and the negotiated prices will not take effect until 2026. For each
of the following years, more negotiated drugs will be added.
Starting in 2025, a $2,000 annual cap (adjusted for inflation) will apply to out-of-pocket costs for
Medicare Part D prescription drugs.
Starting in 2023, deductibles will not apply to covered insulin products under Medicare Part D or
under Part B for insulin furnished through durable medical equipment. Also, the applicable
copayment amount for covered insulin products will be capped at $35 for a one-month supply.
Health Insurance
Starting in 2023, a high-deductible health plan can provide that the deductible does not apply to
selected insulin products.
Affordable Care Act subsidies (scheduled to expire at the end of 2022) that improved
affordability and reduced health insurance premiums have been extended through 2025.
Indexing of percentage contribution rates used in determining a taxpayer’s required share of
premiums is delayed until after 2025, preventing more significant premium increases.
Additionally, those with household incomes higher than 400% of the federal poverty line remain
eligible for the premium tax credit through 2025.
Energy-Related Tax Credits
Many current energy-related tax credits have been modified and extended, and a few new
credits have been added. Many of the credits are available to businesses, and others are
available to individuals. The following two credits are substantial revisions and extensions of an
existing tax credit for electric vehicles.
Starting in 2023, a tax credit of up to $7,500 is available for the purchase of new clean electric
vehicles meeting certain requirements. The credit is not available for vehicles with a
manufacturer’s suggested retail price higher than $80,000 for sports utility vehicles and pickups,
$55,000 for other vehicles. The credit is not available if the modified adjusted gross income
(MAGI) of the purchaser exceeds $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers and surviving spouses,
$225,000 for heads of household). Starting in 2024, an individual can elect to transfer the credit
to the dealer as payment for the vehicle.
Similarly, a tax credit of up to $4,000 is available for the purchase of certain previously owned
clean electric vehicles from a dealer. The credit is not available for vehicles with a sales price
exceeding $25,000. The credit is not available if the purchaser’s MAGI exceeds $75,000
($150,000 for joint filers and surviving spouses, $75,000 for heads of household). An individual
can elect to transfer the credit to the dealer as payment for the vehicle.
Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, a new 15% alternative minimum tax
(AMT) will apply to corporations (other than an S corporation, regulated investment company,
or a real estate investment trust) with an average annual adjusted financial statement income in
excess of $1 billion.
Adjusted financial statement income means the net income or loss of the taxpayer set forth in
the corporation’s financial statement (often referred to as book income), with certain
adjustments. If regular tax exceeds the tentative AMT, the excess amount can be carried
forward as a credit against the AMT in future years.
Excise Tax on Repurchase of Stock
For corporate stock repurchases after December 31, 2022, a new 1% excise tax will be imposed
on the value of a covered corporation’s stock repurchases during the taxable year.
A covered corporation means any domestic corporation whose stock is traded on an established
securities market. However, the excise tax does not apply: (1) to a repurchase that is part of a
nontaxable reorganization, (2) with respect to certain contributions of stock to an employer-
sponsored retirement plan or employee stock ownership plan, (3) if the total value of stock
repurchased during the year does not exceed $1 million, (4) to a repurchase by a securities
dealer in the ordinary course of business, (5) to repurchases by a regulated investment company
or a real estate investment trust, or (6) to the extent the repurchase is treated as a dividend for
income tax purposes.
Increased Funding for the IRS
Substantial additional funds are provided to the IRS to help fund operations and business
systems modernization and to improve enforcement of tax laws.
