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Maximize Your 2025 Tax Strategies Before Year-End

As the year draws to a close along with the holiday season, it's crucial to focus on beneficial tax moves that can impact your 2025 tax return. Here are some strategic opportunities to consider:

Making Smart Income Moves - If you anticipate not needing to file a return for 2025 due to low income, explore options for tax-free income, such as selling appreciated stock or taking tax-free IRA distributions if you qualify. Don't overlook the potential refundable tax credits that may benefit you.Image 3

Optimize Low Income Situations - If 2025 brings unusually low income, consider converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA at favorable tax rates. Check your portfolio for under-performing stocks as an opportunity for conversion.

Education Credits for College-Age Children - Ensure you're maximizing the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning credits by prepaying eligible tuition for early 2026. This strategy is particularly beneficial if your child is beginning college.

Home Sale Tax Benefits - For home sales meeting ownership and occupancy tests, gains can be excluded up to $250,000 ($500,000 for joint filers). A partial exclusion may apply in certain cases, such as employment-related moves.

Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) - Plan your contributions wisely for 2025, with an increase opportunity to $3,300, and consider the carryover limits into 2026 to maximize tax benefits.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) - Late year eligibility for HSA contributions means you can maximize deductible contributions, with potential tax advantages on earnings and distributions.Image 2

Retirement Contributions - Ensure you capitalize on retirement contribution limits before year-end. This includes employer-matched 401(k) plans and utilizing tax deductions on traditional IRA contributions.

Spousal IRA Contributions - If one spouse does not work, contributions can still be made for the non-working spouse based on the working spouse’s income.

Age-Based Retirement Contribution Catch-Ups - If you’re aged 60-64, take advantage of increased catch-up contributions in 2025, designed to boost retirement savings effectively.

Handling Year-End Bonuses - Strategically defer bonus payments to 2026 if projected tax scenarios make this beneficial.

Prepare for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) - If you’re aged 73, remember the RMD rules and plan whether to distribute by year-end or defer to avoid dual distributions in 2026.

Offsetting Capital Gains with Losses - Evaluate your stock portfolio for losses that can offset gains, being mindful of wash sale rules.

Planning Charitable Contributions - Consider bunching donations to maximize deductions if employing an alternate-year itemization strategy. Converting traditional IRA distributions to Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can provide additional tax benefits.Image 1

Medical and Dental Deductions - Accelerate expenses to deduct amounts exceeding the 7.5% AGI threshold through strategic prepayments.

Gift Tax Exclusions - Utilize the $19,000 annual gift tax exclusion effectively by distributing gifts before the year ends to avoid tax implications in 2026.

Filling Tax Withholding Gaps - Evaluate and adjust year-end withholding to prevent underpayment penalties and balance any significant out-of-the-ordinary income changes.

Disaster Loss Claims - Ensure disaster losses are addressed on the return that offers the best tax result, and consider the timing of such claims for greater refunds.

Energy and Environmental Credits - Take advantage of home energy improvements and solar credits before they expire in 2025. These credits are designed to encourage eco-friendly modifications with significant financial incentives.

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