Will you trigger the alternative minimum tax when you calculate your 2000 
tax return? Here's a method to estimate your risk of owing AMT:




1.  ADD UP YOUR ''PREFERENCE ITEMS'' Certain deductions and credits that 
you claim on your regular tax return are disallowed on the AMT. The major ones 
include:

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
The difference between the price you paid                   $__________
for the stock and the market value at the
time you bought it

STATE & LOCAL TAXES PAID
Remember to include the tax you paid on capital gains       $__________

MISCELLANEOUS DEDUCTIONS
i.e., investment and legal fees, unreimbursed employee      $__________
expenses

INTEREST ON PRIVATE-PURPOSE MUNI BONDS                      $__________

ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION, BUSINESS CREDITS
For proprietors, partners, and Subchapter S shareholders    $__________

PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
($2,800 per family member)                                  $__________

TOTAL *                                                     $__________





2.  COMPARE YOUR PREFERENCE ITEMS
If they exceed the ''trigger points'' on this table, you're likely to be 
subject to AMT:



AMT TRIGGER POINTS

 INCOME        COUPLE        SINGLE

$100,000       30,770        28,518
 200,000       33,284        31,075
 300,000       39,170        57,035
 400,000       80,600        98,465
 500,000      122,030       139,893






3.  DODGE THE AMT OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT?

-- If you're just over the AMT line, you might escape the levy by 
putting off deductions (postpone paying state taxes and legal and investment 
expenses) or accelerating income into 2000.

-- If you're deep in AMT territory, pile as much income into 2000 as you 
can. It'll be taxed at a lower rate (28% top rate vs. 39.6% top rate) than if 
you claim it in a year when you don't owe AMT.


* Other preference items may apply in your situation

DATA: ERNST & YOUNG; BW