IP 94(2.4)

Q & A: The Connecticut Alternative Minimum Tax

This publication has been cited in IP 99(3); and superseded by IP 2001(9)

PURPOSE: The Connecticut alternative minimum tax is a tax imposed on certain individuals, estates and trusts in addition to the regular Connecticut income tax. This publication is intended to answer some of the most common questions concerning the application and calculation of this tax.

BACKGROUND: Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-700a provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1993, certain taxpayers are subject to the Connecticut alternative minimum tax.

WHO IS SUBJECT TO THE CONNECTICUT ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX?

You are subject to the Connecticut alternative minimum tax and are required to file Form CT-6251, Connecticut Alternative Minimum Tax Return - Individuals, if for the taxable year:

• you were a Connecticut resident or part-year resident and had a federal alternative minimum tax liability; or
• you were a Connecticut nonresident with a federal alternative minimum tax liability and you had Connecticut-source income.

If you meet one of the requirements above, you must file Form CT-6251, even if you do not have to pay the Connecticut alternative minimum tax. Certain individuals may be required to file federal Form 6251, Alternative Minimum Tax— Individuals, even though they do not have to pay the federal alternative minimum tax. These individuals are not subject to the Connecticut alternative minimum tax and are not required to file Form CT-6251. If you have questions about the federal alternative minimum tax, please call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040.

WHEN IS A TRUST OR ESTATE SUBJECT TO THE CONNECTICUT ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX?

Any trust or estate liable for the federal alternative minimum tax must complete and attach Schedule I, Connecticut Alternative Minimum Tax Computation of Trust or Estate, to Form CT-1041, Connecticut Income Tax Return for Trusts and Estates. (The rules in this informational publication apply primarily to individuals. Guidance for trusts and estates can be found in the instructions to Form CT-1041 and Schedule I of that form.)

HOW IS THE CONNECTICUT ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX COMPUTED?

Using Form CT-6251, compute the tax in the following manner:

STEP 1: Calculate your adjusted federal alternative minimum taxable income by making certain Connecticut modifications to your federal alternative minimum taxable income (as reported on Line 21 of federal Form 6251). Use your adjusted federal alternative minimum taxable income to recalculate your allowable exemption and the tentative minimum tax. The result is your adjusted federal tentative minimum tax.

STEP 2: The Connecticut minimum tax is the lesser of:

1. 19% of the adjusted federal tentative minimum tax; or
2. 5% of the adjusted federal alternative minimum taxable income.

STEP 3: Nonresidents and part-year residents only will allocate the Connecticut minimum tax based upon the percentage of income from Connecticut sources.

STEP 4: Subtract your Connecticut income tax from the apportioned Connecticut minimum tax. The difference (if greater than zero) is your net Connecticut minimum tax.

STEP 5: Residents and part-year residents only who paid minimum taxes to a qualifying jurisdiction on the income that is taxed by both Connecticut and that jurisdiction will calculate their allowable credit and subtract it from the net Connecticut minimum tax. The result is the Connecticut alternative minimum tax.

If you are subject to the Connecticut alternative minimum tax (as explained earlier in this publication), you must complete Form CT-6251 and attach it to your Form CT-1040 or Form CT-1040NR/PY even if your Connecticut alternative minimum tax is zero.

HOW IS THE CREDIT FOR MINIMUM TAXES PAID TO A QUALIFYING JURISDICTION CALCULATED?

Use Schedule A, Form CT-6251 to calculate your allowable credit for alternative minimum taxes paid to a qualifying jurisdiction. Connecticut residents and part-year residents are entitled to a credit on Form CT-6251 for alternative minimum taxes paid to a qualifying jurisdiction on income taxed by the qualifying jurisdiction during the period of Connecticut residency. (Credit for regular income tax paid to qualifying jurisdictions may only be claimed on Form CT-1040 or Form CT-1040NR/PY.) Qualifying jurisdiction means another state of the United States, or a political subdivision of a state, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province (including a political subdivision of a Canadian province). No credit shall be allowed for alternative minimum tax paid to the United States or any foreign country, including Canada.

DOES THE STATE ALLOW CREDIT FOR PRIOR YEAR MINIMUM TAX?

You may be able to take a credit against your regular Connecticut income tax for Connecticut alternative minimum tax paid in a prior year. Complete Form CT-8801, Credit for Prior Year’s Connecticut Minimum Tax For Individuals, Trusts and Estates.

HOW IS THE CREDIT FOR PRIOR YEAR’S CONNECTICUT MINIMUM TAX CALCULATED?

Your credit for 1997 is calculated by subtracting the part of your 1996 Connecticut alternative minimum tax that was attributable to adjustments and items of tax preference (i.e., exclusion items), specified in Internal Revenue Code §53 (d), from your net Connecticut alternative minimum tax paid in 1996 and adding the result to the amount of credit carried forward from the prior year.

EXAMPLE: If your 1997 regular Connecticut income tax is $5,000 and your 1997 Connecticut minimum tax is $3,500, your allowable credit is limited to $1,500 ($5,000 - $3,500 = $1,500). If your credit for the prior year's alternative minimum tax is $2,000, you can only use $1,500 of that credit in 1997. ($500 is carried forward.)

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE UNUSED PORTION OF THE CREDIT?

Any unused portion of the credit may be carried forward to reduce your regular Connecticut income tax in future years. You may carry the credit forward until it is completely used.

If you are entitled to any additional credit in a subsequent year, you may add that credit to any balance being carried forward from earlier years.

EFFECT OF THIS DOCUMENT: An Informational Publication (IP) is a document that addresses frequently-asked questions about a current Department position, policy or practice, usually in a less technical, question-and-answer format.

EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS: IP 94(2.4) modifies and supersedes IP 94(2.3) which may no longer be relied upon on or after this date.

RELATED FORMS AND PUBLICATIONS:

Request the most current editions of the following forms and publications:

• Form CT-6251, Connecticut Alternative Minimum Tax Return - Individuals
• Form CT-1041, Connecticut Income Tax Return for Trusts and Estates
• Form CT-8801, Credit for Prior Year's Connecticut Minimum Tax For Individuals, Trusts and Estates
• IP 93(6.4), A Guide to Calculating Your Annualized Estimated Income Tax Installments and Worksheet CT-1040AES

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: If you have questions about Connecticut taxes, please call the Department of Revenue Services during business hours, Monday through Friday:

• 860-297-5962 (Hartford calling area or from out-of-state); or
• 1-800-382-9463 (toll-free from within Connecticut)

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD/TT) users only, please call 860-297-4911 during business hours. 

IP 94(2.4)
Income tax
Issued: 1/29/98
Replaces IP94(2 3), issued 1/23/97