How Well Do You Know the 2026 Tax Changes? Test Your OBBBA Knowledge

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This quiz uses scenario-based questions grounded in established psychological frameworks. While no online quiz replaces professional assessment, our methodology provides meaningful insights for self-discovery.

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The quiz takes approximately 3-5 minutes to complete. It consists of 10 carefully designed questions. Answer honestly with your gut reaction for the most accurate result.

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Question 1

Your accountant says the 2026 standard deduction "finally got permanent." A coworker asks what that means for a married couple filing jointly. What do you tell them?

Accepted Answer

It's now $32,200 — locked in permanently under OBBBA, no more sunset threat, It's around $25,000 — Congress raised it a bit, It stayed the same as 2025, just indexed for inflation, The TCJA amounts were made permanent, but I don't remember the exact number

Question 2

Your 68-year-old neighbor mentions she heard there's a new "senior bonus" deduction for 2026. She asks how it works. What do you tell her?

Accepted Answer

She can deduct an extra $6,000 above the standard deduction if her income is under $75,000 (single) — it phases out above that, It's a $6,000 credit applied directly against her tax bill, I think there's something new for seniors but I'm not sure of the details, There's an extra deduction for 65+ filers that phases out around a certain income threshold

Question 3

A friend with two kids asks how the 2026 Child Tax Credit changed under OBBBA. What's the accurate answer?

Accepted Answer

The CTC increased to $2,200 per child under 17, with the refundable portion rising to $1,800, and it now adjusts for inflation going forward, The CTC stayed at $2,000 — nothing changed there, Congress doubled the CTC to $4,000 per child, There was some increase to the CTC amount and the refundable portion went up too

Question 4

Your brother lives in New Jersey and pays $18,000 a year in property taxes. He asks whether the SALT cap change helps him. What's the right answer for 2026?

Accepted Answer

The SALT cap increased significantly in 2026, so his full property tax likely qualifies, Yes — the SALT cap jumped to $40,400 in 2026 (up from $10,000), so he can deduct his full $18,000 if he itemizes, No — the SALT cap is still $10,000, nothing changed, Yes — the cap was completely eliminated so he can deduct everything unlimited

Question 5

At what age must most retirement account holders now begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) under SECURE 2.0 rules still in effect for 2026?

Accepted Answer

Age 73 — SECURE 2.0 raised it from 72 to 73, with age 75 coming in 2033, Age 70½ — that's the original rule and it hasn't changed, I know it went up recently — 72 or 73 — but I'm not certain of the exact current age, Age 75 — that's the current RMD start age

Question 6

A colleague earned $250,000 last year and wants to do a backdoor Roth IRA conversion. She asks if OBBBA changed the rules. What do you tell her?

Accepted Answer

Roth conversions now have an income limit of $150,000 under the new law, I believe the backdoor Roth is still allowed, though I'm not 100% sure what OBBBA changed, OBBBA left backdoor Roth conversions completely intact — no income limits, no restrictions, still fully legal for 2026, OBBBA eliminated the backdoor Roth for high earners above $200,000

Question 7

Your uncle passed away with a $12 million estate. His estate attorney mentions the new federal estate tax exemption. What is the correct 2026 exemption per individual?

Accepted Answer

$15 million per individual ($30 million for a married couple with portability) — permanently set under OBBBA, $13.6 million — the 2024 level that was extended, It increased to somewhere around $15 million under the new law, $5.49 million — the pre-TCJA amount that reverted after the sunset

Question 8

Your friend maxes out a Health Savings Account every year. She asks what's new with HSA tax advantages in 2026. Which answer best captures the HSA's core tax benefit?

Accepted Answer

HSA contributions became taxable for high earners under OBBBA, HSAs now have a one-time $10,000 bonus contribution allowed for 2026, The triple tax benefit of HSAs is still intact and contribution limits were increased with inflation adjustments, HSA contributions are triple tax-advantaged: deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses — this structure was preserved and strengthened under OBBBA

Question 9

A financial planner mentions the 0% capital gains rate for 2026. Your friend asks what income level qualifies for that 0% rate for a single filer. What's your best answer?

Accepted Answer

There is no 0% capital gains rate — all gains are taxed at 15% minimum, Up to $100,000 in taxable income qualifies for the 0% rate in 2026, There's a 0% rate for lower-income filers but I don't know the exact threshold off the top of my head, Up to roughly $48,350 in taxable income for single filers — the 0% long-term capital gains rate applies at the bottom two brackets

Question 10

Your mom is 66 and asks whether she must itemize to claim the new $6,000 senior bonus deduction. What's the correct answer?

Accepted Answer

No — the senior bonus deduction is an above-the-line deduction available whether she takes the standard deduction or itemizes, Yes — she must itemize and also file Schedule A to claim any senior-specific deductions, Yes — the $6,000 senior deduction is only available to itemizers who also claim medical expenses, I think it works on top of the standard deduction but I'm not certain

How Well Do You Know the 2026 Tax Changes? Test Your OBBBA Knowledge

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