How can we assist you? Book an appointment with us today!

Maximize Your Year-End Tax Savings: 2025 Guide for Individuals

As the year draws to a close and the holiday season kicks off, it’s vital for individuals, especially high net-worth clients working with firms like Tangible Accounting, to evaluate strategic year-end tax strategies. Engaging in proactive planning now can offer substantial benefits on your 2025 tax return. With this guide, we aim to highlight key tax-saving opportunities that are designed to empower your financial decisions.

Explore Income Streams Without Filing in 2025 - Should your income for 2025 fall below the filing threshold, consider drawing extra revenue, provided it's tax-free. For instance, leverage selling appreciated stock or opting for a tax-free IRA withdrawal if you're 59½ or older—or if you're eligible for early withdrawal exceptions.

Even if filing isn't compulsory, doing so might still net you substantial refundable credits. Engaging with an expert, like Jaron J. Fulse of Tangible Accounting, can ensure you don’t miss out.

Capitalize on Low Income with a Roth ConversionImage 2
During years of reduced income, converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA can be advantageous. A lower tax rate applied during the conversion period translates to significant savings. Additionally, converting depreciated retirement account stocks can further enhance your tax strategy.

Maximize Education Credits for College Expenses - For families financing higher education, leveraging the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits can reduce tax liabilities significantly. Prepaying 2026 tuition in 2025, provided it stems from an academic session starting within the first quarter of 2026, can enhance your current year credits.

Home Sale Gains and Meeting Exclusions - Selling your principal residence might yield a generous tax exclusion. Provided ownership and occupancy criteria are met, single filers can exclude up to $250,000 (doubled for married filers). If these benchmarks aren’t fully met, reduced exclusions might be available under certain conditions, such as employment changes or health issues.

Optimize Employer Health FSA ContributionsImage 1
Ensure your 2025 health-related expenses align with your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions. Consider allocating more pre-tax dollars to your FSA for 2026, bearing in mind the $3,300 cap, with the ability to carry forward $660 into the subsequent year.

Maximize HSA Contributions & Retirement Funding - Deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions are still achievable even if eligibility was gained late in the year. Also, contributing maximally to retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs can be particularly beneficial, especially with any employer matches. Avoid leaving potential tax-deductible spaces in these accounts unfilled.

Seize Catch-up Contributions if Aged 60-64 - Begin preparing for the enhanced catch-up contributions available from 2025. The adjustment means individuals in this age group can contribute significantly more to their retirement plans than in previous years, supporting a robust retirement nest egg.

Strategize Bonus Timing and Withholding Adjustments - Consider deferring year-end bonuses to 2026 if a lower income year is anticipated. Properly adjusting your tax withholding strategies can mitigate penalties associated with underpayment.

Utilize Charitable Giving Options - Charitable donations can offer dual benefits of contributing to social good while reducing tax payable. For clients aged 70½ or older, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs represent a tax-efficient giving strategy without increasing taxable income.

Address Capital Losses and Gains ProactivelyImage 3
Review your investment portfolio to exploit any opportunity to offset taxable gains with realized capital losses. Be cautious of wash sale rules when attempting to repurchase the same assets.

For tailored advice aligned with your unique financial landscape, reach out to Tangible Accounting. Jaron J. Fulse and his team offer expert guidance, ensuring you maximize your tax outcomes.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Affiliations