Are your finances ready for the end of the year? December brings many deadlines and lists; there are gifts to buy, holidays to plan, and vacations to organize. While financial planning should occur year-round, it often becomes top of mind as the year draws to a close. Even though the holiday season is a busy time, it\u2019s important to take care of financial matters now to save you time and money in the long run. Addressing the following 6 opportunities can help you start 2020 on the right financial foot.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
1. Check Your Tax Withholding<\/b><\/p>\n
In order to avoid a large tax bill or even a penalty for underpaying, you may need to review your tax withholding for the year. This is especially relevant since the IRS changed the tax withholding tables in 2018. Though withholding issues can affect anyone, they are most likely to affect those with less predictable incomes, such as business owners or salespeople who work on commission. If this applies to you, the income estimates you made earlier in the year may not be accurate. In the last months of the year, you can use the IRS\u2019s withholding estimator<\/a> to help ensure that no major tax issues come up in April.<\/p>\n 2. Consider Year End Gifting\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Gifting allows you to give up to $15,000 per person, per year to an individual (usually a child or grandchild) without any tax consequences. For larger estates, gifting can minimize the amount of the estate subject to estate taxes. Though the estate tax now applies only to assets above $11.4 million, the limit is set to revert to $5 million in 2026 unless Congress extends it. The gifting limit also applies to contributions made to 529 plans.<\/p>\n 3. Plan Charitable Contributions<\/b><\/p>\n The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has changed how many people approach their charitable gifting. The increased standard deduction means fewer people benefit from itemizing deductions. With these changes have come some new strategies for handling charitable gifting. According to a recent study by Psychological Science, the happiness of giving a gift actually outlasts the happiness of receiving gifts. If you\u2019re looking to donate to charity this year, you\u2019ll need to make your donation by December 31st in order to receive a donation receipt for this year.<\/p>\n 4. Take Your Required Minimum Distribution<\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019re over 70 \u00bd and have a traditional IRA, the IRS requires that you take a distribution of a certain amount each year, also known as the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). The amount of the RMD will vary and is based on multiple factors, including your age and the value of your IRA at the end of the previous year. If you don\u2019t take your RMD by year end, you\u2019ll end up with a penalty. If you don\u2019t need the funds, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). A QCD, also known as a charitable IRA rollover, turns your RMD into a charitable gift. You won\u2019t pay taxes on a QCD, but you also can\u2019t get a tax deduction.<\/p>\n 5. Consider Refinancing Loans<\/b><\/p>\n The trade war and the Federal Reserve\u2019s rate cuts mean you may be able to receive a lower interest rate if you choose to refinance. If you\u2019re considering refinancing your mortgage or student loans, doing so before the end of the year may help you get a lower interest rate, which can save you money. But, there are a few things to consider to make sure you\u2019re actually saving money. Before refinancing a mortgage, consider how close you are to paying off the loan. The ratio of principal to interest in the monthly payment of a mortgage varies. Over time, the percentage of the monthly payment that goes towards interest will decrease and the percentage that goes towards the principal will increase. This means that refinancing a mortgage rarely makes sense if you\u2019ve already repaid the majority of the mortgage. For student loans, refinancing may mean a shorter loan period and losing options that come with federal loans, such as loan deferment.<\/p>\n 6. Use Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to review how much you have remaining in your FSA, since some or all of the funds in an employer sponsored FSA may not roll over to the next year. For a medical FSA, at the start of the year, you make an assumption about how much you\u2019ll need for the year. Many people choose to overestimate, which may leave them with extra funds in the account at the end of the year. It depends on the plan, but most plans only allow you to roll over $500. If you have more than $500, you may want to buy any medicine or make any medical appointments prior to the end of the year. Dependent care FSAs typically don\u2019t allow any rollover, though this is often less of an issue, since you can often plan childcare costs more accurately ahead of time. You can also save yourself some time, and potentially some money, by noting your current year\u2019s FSA surplus or deficit and taking that into account for the next year.<\/p>\n The end of the year is a busy time. Prioritize your financial needs to help save money, avoid penalties, and start off the new year with your finances in the best possible shape. For further advice on year-end financial planning opportunities, contact us today.<\/p>\n PS: With the coming new decade around the corner, I have some year-end news to share regarding my partnership with Loring Ward and their recent merger with Buckingham Strategic Partners<\/a>. You will see a new name and logo on some of our materials with\u201cBuckingham Strategic Partners\u201d instead of \u201cLoring Ward\u201d. The changes are primarily cosmetic. We look forward to pursuing your financial goals into the new decade with the same passion and strategic planning. Here\u2019s to a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year.<\/p>\n Sources:<\/b><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.morganstanley.com\/articles\/fall-planning-for-your-finances<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.kiplinger.com\/article\/retirement\/T064-C032-S014-year-end-checklist-to-beat-financial-deadlines.html<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.bnymellonwealth.com\/articles\/strategy\/take-advantage-of-year-end-planning-opportunities.jsp<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.georgewealthgroup.com\/article\/2471-year-end-financial-planning-checklist<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/kristinmckenna\/2019\/09\/25\/its-time-for-year-end-financial-planning\/#24105d507783<\/p>\n The Joy of Giving Lasts Longer Than the Joy of Getting<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n