AMT Patch

We include an AMT patch by default in the full expiration scenario because we want to isolate the effects of the Bush tax cuts on the ordinary tax. AMT parameters, unlike most parameters in the tax code, are not indexed to rise automatically with inflation. Congress has dealt with this by passing temporary 'patches' on a year-to-year basis. We consider the AMT patch to be a separate issue from the rest of the Bush tax cuts, and assume that Congress will pass one even if they allow the Bush tax cuts to expire. To see what would happen if Congress does not pass an AMT patch, uncheck this box - this will set AMT parameters at their year 2000 levels.