Year-end tax tips

With the end of the year quickly approaching, I decided to take a look around to see what kind of tax info I could find. While it may seem too soon to think of April 15th; like the holidays, not waiting until the last minute can prove an effective strategy for getting the most out of your taxes this year.

So when making your holiday plans, squeeze in time to give your taxes a once over. See how they measure up to our checklist below, and your pocketbook may thank you later.

I know that this post doesn’t really fit into my usual format but after getting screwed by the IRS for so many years I thought I would go ahead share this info with my readers. Hopefully you can use these tips to be more informed about your tax situation.

Year-End Tax Tips

1. Compare standard versus itemized deductions - Put the amount of your 2004 standard deduction next to your itemized deduction and see how the two compare. If your itemized deductions exceed the amount of your standard deduction, you will save tax dollars by itemizing. If your itemized deductions are close to your standard, then consider shifting some of them from one year to the next. For example, if you can’t itemize in 2004 but can in 2005, consider making your annual charitable donation in January instead of December.
2. Make flexible spending work for you - If you don’t rack up enough medical expenses in 2004 to meet the amount you set aside in your flexible spending account, you’ll lose the money. If you’ve got extra, it’s a good idea to start making a few last-minute appointments, and be sure to save your receipts for medications.
3. Keep track of medical costs - Keep track of your unreimbursed medical expenses all year long. You can deduct those only if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. If you think you’re close to the 7.5% requirement but not quite there, you may consider having an elective or necessary procedure before year-end.
4. Get serious about retirement - One way to effectively lower your taxable income for the year is to contribute to or open a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), deductible IRA, SIMPLE IRA or SEP. Make contributions for 2004 up until December 31st for 401(k)s and 403(b)s. With some other plans, you have until April 15th to make those donations. Check with a tax professional to determine which move is best for you.
5. Adopt a charitable attitude - Donating clothing and household goods to charities before January 1, 2005, is not just a good deed; it’s also deductible on your 2004 return. Be sure to get a receipt from the organization you’re donating to, and keep in mind that the deduction is limited to the item’s current fair market value (what you could sell it for at a garage sale). So do a good deed, and let it work for you.
6. Save with the sales tax deduction - If you itemize deductions on your return, you can choose either to deduct your state income tax or the sum of your sales tax for tax years 2004 and 2005. For those living in states that don’t impose an income tax, the choice is clear. For everyone else, number crunching will point the way to the most advantageous option. Since the change went into effect only in October, the IRS has provided a sales tax table you can use to estimate your tax for 2004 prior to October. Next year, though, save those receipts.
7. Put off the wedding - If you’re planning on getting married toward the end of the year, it may be wise to wait until next year. The so-called “marriage penalty” occurs when you pay more tax on a joint return than you would have had you remained single and filed two separate returns. Couples whose taxable income puts them in a marginal tax rate above 11 percent can pay a higher rate. Plus, deductions and credits can be reduced or eliminated when the incomes are combined.
8. Sell off stock - If you have a large net capital gain so far this year, you might want to consider selling some stock to generate a loss before year-end. Doing so could reduce the amount of tax you pay this year. However, remember that if you do sell stock to generate a loss, you are prohibited from purchasing substantially similar stock within 30 days before or after the sale that generated the loss.
9. Give the gift of cash - If you’re planning on giving large cash gifts this holiday season, it’s best to know the rules. If you’re married you can gift up to $22,000 to one individual free of gift tax. If you’re single but the person to whom you’re giving the cash gift is married, you can gift each person up to $11,000 tax free. A married couple can gift another couple up to $44,000 with gift tax consequences. Keep in mind that a gift of future interest (contribution to a trust that cannot be accessed by the beneficiary until some date in the future) does not qualify the $11,000 annual gift tax exclusion.
10. Don’t let extra money sit around - If you have a large amount of cash to invest and want to shift some of your income to 2005, consider investing in a short-term CD or a Treasury bill that matures in 2005.
11. Strategies for the self-employed - If you’re self-employed and use the cash method of accounting, you can decrease your 2004 taxable income by delaying your December billings until January, setting up a qualified self-employed retirement plan (SEP) and deducting contributions you make on your 2004 return, and buying supplies and equipment this year instead of next.

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