Are you ever able to tell if a client has AMT or not just by looking at their regular tax calculation?

Answer 1

Yes. There are always signals on the tax return. You just need to memorize the form 6251.

line 2 unusual amount of medical deduction (like 90%-80% of itemized amount)

line 3 unusual large amount of taxes (especially state taxes like 90%-80% of itemized amount)

line 4 unusual amount of points due to refi (most of idiot tax pro will miss this. No software pick this up.)

line 5 unusual large amount of misc. deduction (mostly it's the 2106 unreimbursed business expenses.)

line 13 the ISO

And any other unusual item that I pickup on the way. I almost always give the clients the approximate figure prior to input.

Answer 2

No. You have to go through the entire AMT calculation worksheet. There are some red flags that will tip you off that maybe you will be hit by the AMT, but there are no guarantees until you fill out the worksheet.