Year End Tax Savings & Deductions

Year-end is right around the corner so let’s talk about some things that we can do toward the end of the year to save on our taxes and maximize our deductions.

• Make HSA contributions – A Health Savings Account (HSA) is for people who may be eligible to put away $6900* each year. And if you are 55 years old, or older, can you can put away an additional $1,000. This is a tax deduction for your business if you are self employed, or if you are an employee that is eligible for an HSA, it could be a tax personal tax deduction as well.

• If employed, be sure to fund IRA retirement accounts. Retirement accounts such as an IRA allow you to put away as much as $5,500*, if you are under 50 years old. You can put away as much as $6,500* if you are 50 years old or older. This is allowed if you or your spouse earns at least $5,500*. If you earn nothing and your spouse earns $15,000* you would both be eligible to put up to $6,500* each into an IRA account. You may also choose to contribute to a Roth IRA. This will not help you with current taxes, but it will save you future taxes because any money left in a Roth IRA is tax-free after 5 years.

• If you are employed, set up a Keogh Plan or 401K, fund them to maximize tax savings. You can also put money into a Simple IRA, SEP IRA, or a Solo 401K, which is a retirement account for an owner or owner’s spouse. Keogh’s let you put away up to 25% of your earnings while 401k’s allow up to $55,000* depending on your age and income. SEP IRA’s let you put away up to $55,000* while Simple IRA’s allow you to put away as much as $12,500* if under 50 or $15,500* if 50 or older. Don’t forget that many employers match retirement plan contributions up to certain limits and the IRS offers a tax credit for new savers.

• Don’t hold off on Energy Saving Home Improvements*. Energy saving home improvements such as exterior doors, windows, air conditioners, water heaters, and solar devices allow you an opportunity to save on federal taxes, and some states may offer state tax credits as well. A tax credit is a reduction on your taxes, while a deduction reduces your taxable income. Typically, $1 in tax credit may be equivalent of $3 in tax deductions. It is far better to receive a tax credit than a tax deduction.

• Use IRA’s to make charitable contributions – You are allowed to take money out of your IRA for a charitable contribution, which means you effectively get a tax free withdrawal from your IRA if the amount of the charitable contribution, is the amount of your IRA distribution. You can donate up to $100,000 and get a tax deduction for the contribution, and not pay taxes on the distribution.

• Wrap up your divorce. Any alimony payments after 2018 will not be tax deductible. Try to complete your divorce by the end of the year, in order to get a tax deduction for the alimony payment.

Call today, don’t delay! See how this affects you. We can be reached at 602-264-9331 and on all social media under azmoneyguy.

*These are available for 2018, be sure to check with your tax professional for current amounts.

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