With the end of the year approaching, now is the time to look for opportunities to save on income taxes. Here are some items you should look for:
- Determine whether bunching deductions into 2019 or 2020 will enable you to itemize.
- Maximize the $15,000 per donee annual gift tax exclusion if estate taxes are a concern
- Maximize contributions to retirement plans
- Maximize contributions to Health Savings Accounts
- Look to offset realized capital gains with any losses you may have
- Don’t forget you can claim an extra $3,000 per year in losses over gains
- Estimate income & deductions year-to-date. Consider if accelerating or delaying income can lower your tax bill
- Roth conversions must be completed by December 31st, 2019
- If you’re over 70 & 1/2 and have not taken you required minimum distribution from an IRA, consider making a Qualified Charitable Contribution from your IRA in the amount of your RMD to a qualified charity to avoid taxation of the RMD altogether
- If you’ll be paying private school tuition (not daycare expenses) or college tuition in 2020, consider making a contribution to your state’s 529 college savings plan in 2019, if the state allows a deduction for 529 plan contributions
- SC allows up to $10,000 of state tax deductions each year, a $700 estimated yearly tax savings
