Are You Ready to Reap Tax Savings?

The 2017 tax reform known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) created more than 100 new provisions that could save you money when you file next year. To make the most of these opportunities, you’ll need to be prepared with some year-end tax planning.

Take a second look at itemizing

If you have traditionally itemized deductions, it might save you money to simply claim the standard deduction for 2018. Under the TCJA, the standard deduction almost doubles to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married couples. The act also suspends personal exemptions and eliminates or limits many popular itemized deductions.

For example, the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes is capped at $10,000 — combined. This limit could make it difficult for some taxpayers to add up more in itemized deductions than they would get with the standard deduction. However, as always, everyone’s tax situation is individual. Other factors, such as the amount of medical expenses, could also affect the decision.

If you have a choice, get that medical procedure before 2018 ends

In 2017 and 2018, the deductibility threshold for unreimbursed medical expenses is 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) for all taxpayers. But in 2019, the threshold returns to 10%, making it harder to qualify for the deduction. That’s a strong incentive for taxpayers to move medical procedures into 2018 if they have a choice.

Qualified medical expenses are broadly defined as the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. Examples include payments to physicians, dentists and other medical practitioners, as well as equipment (including glasses, contacts and hearing aids), supplies, diagnostic devices and prescription drugs. Travel expenses related to medical care are also deductible.

Realize the value of losses

The strategy of “loss harvesting” to reduce capital gains tax remains advisable for 2018, particularly for high-income taxpayers. It involves selling underperforming investments to realize losses that can offset taxable gains realized during the year. As a bonus, if the losses exceed gains, up to $3,000 of the excess losses generally can be used to offset ordinary income, which is taxed at a higher rate than capital gains. And any excess beyond that is carried forward.

You might also consider selling depreciated assets and contributing the proceeds to charity. The loss can be harvested (assuming the asset has been held for more than one year); plus, you’ll receive a charitable contribution deduction for the cash donation.

Defer income

Employees have limited options for deferring wages and salaries, but if you’re self-employed you can push income into 2019 by, for example, delaying invoices until late December so payment doesn’t arrive until January.

Regardless of your employment situation, you can also defer income by waiting until 2019 to take capital gains. A caveat, though — deferring income is wise only if you expect to be in the same or a lower tax bracket next year. If not, the taxes will be greater next year than this year.

Bunch charitable contributions

You can claim deductions for charitable contributions only if you itemize the deductions. For that reason, it’s been estimated that the number of households claiming charitable deductions will decline under the new tax law. But those with philanthropic inclinations can reap tax benefits by donating strategically.

For example, if you contribute to a donor-advised fund (DAF), you can get an immediate tax deduction. By making multiple contributions to a DAF in a single year, you can get past the standard deduction threshold and take an itemized deduction. You can direct the fund administrator to distribute the funds annually in equal increments, so your favorite charities receive a steady stream of donations regardless of whether you itemize every year. And contributing appreciated assets to a DAF (or directly to a charity) can help avoid long-term capital gains taxes (subject to certain limitations) in addition to securing a deduction for the assets’ fair market value.

If you’re not using a DAF, you can take a similar “bunching” approach to your donations to accumulate enough charitable itemized deductions to push them over the standard deduction for some years. For example, if you typically contribute to a not-for-profit at the end of the year, you can instead bunch donations in alternative years (January and December of 2019 and January and December of 2021). Or you can make several years’ worth of donations in one year. You give the same aggregate amounts as in the past and preserve the charitable deduction.

Accelerate deductions

Deduction acceleration has the same goal as charitable contribution bunching: boosting the amount of deductions over the standard deduction to make itemizing worthwhile and increase the total write-off. You could accelerate deductions by prepaying state income tax or property tax bills for 2019 before year end. (Of course, this could bring the total state and local tax deduction over the $10,000 limit, meaning the sacrifice of the excess portion for tax purposes.)

However, if you’re in danger of falling prey to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), think twice before pursuing this strategy. Certain deductions allowed for the regular income tax — including those for state and local taxes — aren’t allowed for AMT purposes.

Contribute to retirement accounts

As in previous years, you can shrink your taxes by adding to tax-deferred retirement accounts. Consider the benefit of making allowable contributions to your IRAs and 401(k) plans. Also, keep in mind that, because the deadline for certain retirement account contributions is after the end of the year, there may be an opportunity for tax planning into the new year.

There’s still time

There’s much to consider under the new tax law, but one thing is certain: It’s not too late to take advantage of year-end tax planning opportunities. Weaver can help you determine the right strategies for your situation — contact us now to start taking advantage of potential tax savings.