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Maximize Year-End Tax Savings: Strategic Moves for 2025

As the calendar edges closer to year-end and the holiday frenzy begins, it's a prudent moment to strategically plan your tax-saving maneuvers for the 2025 filing season. Before the festivities take center stage, consider the tax planning opportunities that could enhance your financial outcome. Below are some key considerations to keep in your strategy toolkit:

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Exempt from Filing in 2025? - Should your income and tax profile indicate no need to file for 2025, this presents an excellent chance to generate additional tax-free income. For example, by liquidating appreciated stock when taxes aren't a factor or opting for a tax-free IRA distribution if you're 59½ or older (or younger under specific exceptions), you optimize your position.

Remember, even if a tax return isn't required, failing to file could mean missing out on substantial refundable tax credits.

Income Below Average? If this year's income tapers unexpectedly, you may benefit from converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, leveraging a lower tax rate. Moreover, consider conversion if your retirement account stocks have underperformed.

Children in College? If eligible for the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning credits, ensure your 2025 tuition payments maximize these benefits. By prepaying 2026 tuition for terms beginning in early 2026, you may elevate your 2025 credits, particularly advantageous for freshmen with partial-year expenses.

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Real Estate Transactions? - Selling your primary residence might allow gain exclusions of up to $250,000 ($500,000 jointly) if you meet specific criteria. If immediate residency requirements aren't fully met, partial exclusions might be feasible, such as for employment relocations.

Updating Health Accounts? - Evaluate your health and savings account contributions. If underfunded this year, adjust your health flexible spending for 2025, with a $3,300 cap. For health savings accounts, make full contributions even if eligibility started late in the year.

Plan for Retirement? Maximize your retirement contributions before year-end to capture the tax-advantaged benefits. Remember to align your contributions with employer-matching programs for maximum benefit.

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Spousal IRA Opportunities? Couples with non-working spouses can benefit from spousal IRA contributions based on the working partner's income, extending the tax advantage strategically as one enters retirement.

Bonus Considerations? If an end-of-year bonus is anticipated, consider negotiating a deferment if aligning timing with expected lower income years provides a strategic tax advantage.

Mandatory Distribution Obligations? Those turning 73 should prepare for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from qualified plans to avoid penalties, planning for potential first-year double distributions.

Capital Gains and Loss Strategy? Assess your portfolio for underperformers to offset capital gains, understanding the tax implications and wash sale regulations.

State and Property Tax Prepayments? With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's SALT cap adjustments for 2025, consider strategic tax prepayments to maximize itemized deductions.

Charitable Gift Adjustments? Consider accelerating charitable contributions to pre-2026 levels to avoid forthcoming deduction floors, optimizing itemized deductions in fluctuating years.

Qualifying Charitable Distribution (QCD)? Leverage QCDs from IRAs if over age 70½ to manage taxable income effectively—excluding it from AGI without direct deduction claims.

Medical or Dental Expense Deductibility? Reflect on pre-year-end payments for outstanding medical bills if exceeding 7.5% of AGI to optimize health-related deductions.

Gift Tax Planning? Utilize the $19,000 gift exclusion cap per recipient before year-end to manage estate strategies effectively.

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Underpayment Considerations? Guard against underpayment penalties by ensuring adequate withholding or estimated payments as the year winds down, recognized favourably during the fourth quarter.

Disaster Loss Claims? For 2025's federally declared disasters, timely and strategic loss claim positioning between current and prior years can fast-track refunds and maximize tax relief.

Energy Credits Still Live? As the OBBBA revises energy credits, mindful timing of home improvement projects can capitalize on still-available credits before year's end.

Still have questions? Reach out to our office for tailored analysis and advice on how to position yourself for a compliant and advantageous 2025 tax season.

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