Raleigh NC Financial Advisor: Tax Tune-Up
While you may feel relieved after completing your 2022 taxes and enjoy the break from filing for a while, it's wise to start planning ahead to minimize your 2023 tax bill. Now is an excellent time to establish your tax-planning strategy. By beginning early, you can reap the benefits when it comes time to file next April.
W-4 Withholdings
After starting a new job, many people complete their W-4 form and forget about it. However, it may be beneficial to reevaluate your withholdings now.
Your employer uses the W-4 form to determine the amount of federal tax to deduct from your paycheck. This is based on your earnings and the tax choices you have made. However, changes in your income or tax situation could result in under or over withholding.
Here are a few reasons why updating your W-4 might be necessary:
Adding a dependent: If you've had a change in dependents and plan to claim the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents, adjusting your withholdings can ensure accurate deductions.
Additional work: If you have multiple jobs or freelance income, strategizing your withholdings becomes crucial. Simply filling out a second W-4 the same way as the first might lead to incorrect tax withholding. Alternatively, if you receive a 1099-NEC form, taxes may not be automatically deducted, requiring you to make quarterly estimated tax payments.
Itemizing deductions: If you plan to itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction, updating your W-4 to reflect your intended deductions can reduce your total tax withholding.
It's also essential to assess your 2022 tax situation. If you owed a significant amount or received a substantial refund, consulting with a tax professional can help determine if adjustments to your W-4 are necessary for this year.
If updates are needed, reach out to your employer's human resources department for guidance on submitting a new form and when the changes will take effect.
Tax Losses to Harvest
Evaluate your taxable accounts and decide if it's worth selling any positions at a loss for potential benefits. Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy that helps offset gains with losses, thereby reducing the amount of taxes you owe. By utilizing this strategy, you can potentially lower your tax liability by up to $3,000 per year. The exact amount of reduction depends on how you file your taxes.
While implementing tax-loss harvesting, it's crucial to maintain your desired investment portfolio allocation even as you sell positions. One way to accomplish this is by selling an investment at a lower price. Then, you can proceed to buy a similar investment, although it may not be exactly the same.
It's important to be aware of the wash-sale rule. It prevents investors from claiming the tax benefits of selling at a loss and repurchasing the same, or substantially identical, investment within a 61-day window. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to ensure you adhere to tax regulations and optimize the strategy.
Reconsider Itemizing
If you've experienced significant expenses this year, such as purchasing a house or incurring substantial medical costs, it may be beneficial to consider itemizing your deductions. Itemizing is advantageous when your deductions are higher than the standard deduction. The standard deduction for singles in 2023 is $13,850, while for married couples it is $27,700.
There are five main types of deductions that you can itemize. These include medical expenses, home mortgage interest, state and local taxes, charitable contributions, and losses from disasters. However, each category is subject to specific limitations. For instance, medical expenses can only be itemized if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
If you plan to itemize, it is a good idea to begin organizing your records. You should also keep track of the expenses that you want to include. This proactive approach to itemizing can also help you make informed financial decisions for the remainder of the year.
For instance, if you know you will itemize but usually take the standard deduction, it may be beneficial to "bunch" several years' worth of charitable donations into the current tax year. This strategy, known as tax-smart charitable giving, can be explored further for maximizing tax benefits.
By planning ahead and considering itemizing deductions, you can effectively manage your finances and potentially optimize your tax situation.
Boost Pre-Tax Contributions
Contributing to retirement plans, IRAs, and HSAs can reduce your taxable income by the same amount as your pre-tax contributions. If your budget allows and it aligns with your overall financial goals, consider increasing your contributions to the following:
Employer-sponsored plans: For the 2023 tax year, participants in 401(k) and 403(b) plans can generally contribute up to $22,500 (with a contribution deadline of December 31). Individuals aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions of up to $7,500.1.
IRAs: You have until the federal tax filing deadline in April 2024 to contribute to a traditional IRA for the 2023 tax year. The contribution limit is $6,500, and for individuals aged 50 or older, it is $7,500. While only traditional (not Roth) IRA contributions provide current-year tax benefits, Roth contributions can offer valuable future tax advantages.
HSAs: If you have a high-deductible health plan, you may qualify to save in a health savings account (HSA), enabling you to save for current and future medical expenses. In 2023, individuals can generally save up to $3,850 per year, while the contribution limit for family coverage is $7,750. An HSA allows funds to roll over each year, potentially growing over time, unlike an FSA which does not. After reaching age 65, HSA funds can even be used for nonmedical expenses.
Not only can these contributions potentially result in tax savings for the current tax year, but they also serve as investments in your future financial security.
Plan for RMDs
The SECURE 2.0 Act brought about changes regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs) from certain retirement accounts. Effective January 1, 2023, the age for starting RMDs increased from 72 to 73. It's important to note that if you turned 72 in 2022 or earlier, you still need to continue taking RMDs as scheduled. However, if you're turning 72 in 2023 or later, you now have an additional year to postpone the mandatory withdrawal.
Withdrawals from traditional 401(k)s and IRAs are subject to taxation. But there are planning strategies available to mitigate the tax impact. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid penalties for failing to take RMDs.
Beginning in 2023, failing to withdraw your required minimum distribution (RMD) will result in a reduced penalty. The penalty will now be 25% of the amount not withdrawn, down from the previous 50% penalty. If an IRA owner who failed to take an RMD withdraws the amount and submits a corrected tax return promptly, the penalty is further reduced to 10%.
Stay updated on changes, explore tax planning options to optimize retirement account withdrawals, and follow RMD requirements.
Consider a ROTH Conversion
Given the ongoing market volatility and the possibility of future tax increases, it's worth considering a Roth conversion, which involves transferring funds from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
By converting to a Roth IRA, you can potentially benefit from the advantages it offers, such as no required minimum distributions (RMDs) and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. You must pay taxes on the converted amount.
It is advisable to handle the tax now. Tax rates may increase. Additionally, lower stock prices can mitigate the tax impact on the converted funds.
If you are a high earner, you may also want to explore the option of a backdoor Roth IRA. This method involves making nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA and subsequently converting those funds into a Roth IRA. It differs from a standard Roth conversion, which involves transferring tax-deductible contributions from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
Considering a Roth conversion or exploring the backdoor Roth IRA strategy can provide you with opportunities to optimize your retirement savings and potentially reduce future tax burdens. It's advisable to consult with a financial professional to assess your specific circumstances and determine the most suitable approach.
Bottom Line
Getting help from a tax expert or financial advisor is a wise decision. They can assist you in creating a personalized financial plan that suits your specific needs. This is important because everyone's tax situation varies. Plan carefully in the summer to feel confident during tax time, knowing you've prepared well.
Sources:
https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/tax-strategies
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/year-end-tax-planning-tips-2015-03-12/
Disclosures:
This site may contain links to articles or other information that may be on a third-party website. Advisory Services Network, LLC is not responsible for and does not control, adopt, or endorse any content contained on any third-party website.
This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only. Please consult your investment professional, legal or tax advisor for specific information pertaining to your situation.
These are the views of the author, not the named Representative or Advisory Services Network, LLC, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named Representative nor Advisory Services Network, LLC gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information.
Advisory Services Network, LLC does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state laws are complex and constantly changing. You should always consult your own legal or tax professional for information concerning your individual situation.