
TurboTax Tip: Your AGI can directly impact the deductions and credits you’re eligible to take, potentially reducing your taxable income and the amount of taxes you owe. contributions to certain retirement accounts (such as a traditional IRA).alimony payments made to a former spouse (for agreements prior to 2019).
self-employed health insurance premiums. half of the self-employment taxes you pay. The types of adjustments that you can deduct are subject to change each year, but a number of them consistently show up on tax returns year after year. Your AGI is calculated before you take the standard or itemized deductions -which you report in later sections of your tax return.Īdjustments to income are specific deductions that directly reduce your total income to arrive at your AGI. It is equal to the total income you report that’s subject to income tax-such as earnings from your job, self-employment, dividends and interest from a bank account-minus specific deductions, or “adjustments” that you’re eligible to take. The AGI calculation is relatively straightforward. However, your AGI is also worthy of your attention, since it can directly impact the deductions and credits you’re eligible for-which can wind up reducing the amount of taxable income you report on the return. When preparing your tax return, you probably pay more attention to your taxable income than your adjusted gross income (AGI). If your state has an income tax, your AGI can affect those taxes, too, since many states use your federal AGI as the starting point for calculating your state taxable income. Income adjustments can include contributions to eligible retirement accounts, student loan interest you paid, alimony payments to a former spouse (for agreements prior to 2019), self-employed health insurance premiums, and half of the self-employment taxes you pay. Your adjusted gross income (AGI) is equal to the total income you report minus specific deductions, or adjustments, that you’re eligible to take.