The AMT Hits at $133,300 for Couples in 2026

Alternative Minimum Tax exemptions phase out quickly, catching high earners by surprise

The Details

Many taxpayers discover AMT liability only after exercising stock options, when it's too late to plan. The 26% and 28% AMT rates can exceed your regular tax rate once state taxes are considered.

What this means for you

Retirement decisions compound — getting one of these details wrong can cost tens of thousands of dollars over a retirement. The good news: most of these mistakes are completely avoidable if you understand how the rule actually works.

Next step

If you want to see how this applies to your specific situation, take the free Retire Ready Score — a 2-minute assessment that scores your current plan across income, taxes, healthcare, and protection.