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Year-End Tax Strategies for Smart Savings

As the year draws to a close and the festive season kicks in, it’s crucial to leverage year-end tax strategies to optimize your 2025 tax filings. These proactive measures can help enhance your financial health. Here’s a comprehensive guide to last-minute tax considerations:

Not Required to File a 2025 Return? - If your income situation exempts you from filing a 2025 return, consider generating some tax-free income. Selling appreciated stock or taking tax-free IRA distributions (if you're over 59½) could be beneficial. Also, remember that not filing means potentially missing out on refundable tax credits.

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Lower than Usual Income this Year? If 2025 marks a dip in your income, consider converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. A reduced tax rate makes converting more financially advantageous. Similarly, devalued stocks in your retirement account may also be suitable for conversion to a Roth.

Children Enrolled in College? Take advantage of education credits like the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning. By prepaying 2026 tuition within the first three months of the year, you can maximize 2025 credits, particularly useful for new college students.

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Sold Your Home in 2025? Verify if you qualify for the home sale gain exclusion, which can exempt up to $250,000 ($500,000 for joint filers) from taxes. If certain criteria aren't met, you might still be eligible for a partial exclusion.

Utilizing Employer Health Accounts - Adjust your contributions to a Health Flexible Spending Account if needed. For 2025, the limit is $3,300, with a carryover option of $660, which must be used by March 2026.

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Unlocking Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Benefits - Late eligibility for an HSA shouldn’t deter you from making a full-year contribution. This remains deductible even if eligibility was gained as late as December.

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Maximize Retirement Contributions - Contributions to retirement plans, such as a 401(k) or IRA, present tax-advantaged saving opportunities that shouldn’t be missed. Ensure contributions are maximized before year-end to exploit employer matching benefits and potential tax deductions.

Spousal IRA Contributions, - Non-working spouses can utilize the working partner's income for IRA contributions, often overlooked yet significantly beneficial.

Catch-Up Contributions for 60-64-Year-Olds - New catch-up contribution limits for 2025 enhance retirement savings up to 150% of standard limits, aiding pre-retirement financial boosting.

Deferred Bonuses and RMDs - Strategic deferrals of bonuses and Required Minimum Distributions can offer tax advantages, particularly if 2025 is your first RMD year.

Capitalizing on Capital Gains and Losses - Evaluate your portfolio for underperforming stocks to offset gains. Consider selling appreciated stocks if your income falls beneath the 15% capital gains tax bracket.

SALT Deductions and Prepayments - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raises the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000, up from $10,000. Strategic tax and property tax prepayments enhance current year deductibility.

Charitable Contributions as Strategy - Boost 2025 deductions by advancing 2026 giving or utilize Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs for potential deduction and AGI benefits.

Gift Tax Exclusion - 2025 permits up to $19,000 in gifts to individuals tax-free. Utilize this to its full extent by year-end.

Avoiding Underpayment Penalties - Review your tax liability to avoid penalties by meeting safe harbor provisions through timely withholdings.

Claims for Losses and Credits - Disaster-related losses or energy efficiency improvements can yield substantial credits. Ensure timely claims to capitalize on federal provisions.

Reach out to our office at TaxDrx to ensure you're capitalizing on these opportunities. Our mission is to alleviate your tax-related concerns, providing a worry-free path forward.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
Choose from our locations and meet with one of our qualified staff members. If you prefer to secure a Virtual Meeting via Zoom or Phone, please contact our offices at 877.908.1040
Schedule Here
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