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Optimize Your 2025 Tax Strategy Before Year-End

As the year draws to a close and the festive season is in full swing, it's crucial to prioritize tax planning before getting swept up in holiday celebrations. Taking strategic actions now can lead to significant savings on your 2025 tax return. Here are some vital last-minute strategies to consider:

Examine Non-Filing Opportunities - You may find that you don't need to file a 2025 tax return due to your income and tax circumstances. Even so, it might be beneficial to explore ways to accrue tax-free income. For example, consider selling appreciated stock or take a tax-free IRA distribution if you're eligible. Also, remember that opting not to file might mean missing out on substantial refundable tax credits.

Take Advantage of Low Income - If your income has significantly decreased this year, consider converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. A lower tax bracket can make this conversion financially advantageous, especially if the value of your stocks has declined.

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Maximize Education Credits - If you are eligible for education tax credits, check your eligible tuition and expenses for 2025. Prepaying tuition for 2026 academic periods starting in the early months of the year could increase your credits for 2025.

Home Sale Gains - Meeting the ownership and occupancy tests can allow for exclusion on gains from selling your primary residence. If you don't meet these criteria, you might still qualify for a partial exclusion due to circumstances like employment relocation or health issues.

Employer Health FSAs - Consider adjusting contributions to your Health Flexible Spending Account, especially if your 2026 expenses seem likely to exceed your 2025 contributions. The maximum for 2025 is $3,300, with a $660 carryover to 2026.

Health Savings Account Contributions - Late eligibility for HSA contributions in 2025 allows you to contribute a full year’s amount, potentially leading to sizeable tax deductions.

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Boost Retirement Contributions - Maximize your retirement plan contributions before the year ends. This not only secures tax-advantaged savings but also leverages employer matching if available. Catch-up contributions for those aged 60 to 64 will increase starting in 2025, especially for 401(k) and SIMPLE plans.

Consider Bonus Deferrals - If you're expecting a job-related bonus, investigate deferring this income into the next tax year based on your income projection and tax strategy.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) - Anyone aged 73 or older is required to withdraw a minimum amount annually from retirement accounts. If this is your first year for an RMD, remember you have until early next year to meet the requirement. Avoid penalties by ensuring withdrawals align with necessary schedules.

Prudent Stock Portfolio Management - Assess stocks that have decreased in value to strategically sell and offset capital gains, potentially reducing tax liabilities. For stocks that have appreciated, consider liquidation if you're within the 0% long-term capital gain threshold.

State Taxes Prepayment - With the impending increase in the SALT deduction cap in 2025, consider prepaying state income or real estate taxes by the end of 2025 to maximize deductions.

Charitable Giving Strategies - Optimize your deductions by making expected 2026 charitable donations in 2025. Though this might not benefit itemizers annually, it can enhance itemized deductions by leveraging the upcoming change on deduction floors.

Qualified Charitable Distributions - If you’re over 70½, take advantage of donating from your IRA directly to charity, as these transfers are income-tax-free and can fulfill RMD requirements to reduce taxable income and possibly Social Security taxation.

Managing Medical Expenses - Consider paying any outstanding medical bills this year to exceed the 7.5% AGI threshold for medical deductions. Evaluate advancing next year's expenses to further increase deductions.

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Annual Gift Tax Exclusion - Utilize the $19,000 annual gift exclusion per individual without incurring gift taxes. Doubling with a spouse offers even greater tax-free gifting opportunities.

Addressing Tax Underpayments - Reassess your 2025 tax payments to mitigate underpayment penalties, adjusting withholding to meet safe harbor provisions.

Disaster Loss Claims - Ensure wise election of casualty loss claims between the current and prior-year taxes to maximize beneficial refunds.

Energy Tax Credits - Leverage remaining opportunities for energy-efficient home or solar credits before the year's end, ensuring installations are complete and paid by December 31, 2025.

For personalized, expert tax guidance tailored to your unique situation, contact GeneralCents Accounting at our Scottsdale, Denver, or Albuquerque offices. Our team is here to help you make the most of these opportunities by providing clear, strategic insight without the corporate jargon.

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