Even though 2010 is almost here, you still have time to take advantage of some 2009 tax planning strategies. Here are some suggestions to consider before ringing in the New Year.
- Should you take losses or pull in capital gains? It depends on your likely tax bracket…Take a look at your 2008 tax return. The IRS will allow taxpayers to deduct a maximum of $3000 in investment losses against ordinary income. Many investors had a lot more than $3000 in realized losses in 2008 and, as a result, have a carry forward of the unused losses to 2009. The opportunity now is that the IRS allows an unlimited amount of realized investment gains to be offset by realized investment losses. So if you held on to an investment that has recovered much of its value this year, now may be a good time to sell. If you don’t have any losses from 2008 to use consider selling something at a loss now. Like we said above, the IRS allows $3000 of realized investment losses to be used as a deduction against ordinary income. If you are in a higher tax bracket, that can be a valuable tax savings.
- If you are in the 10 and 15 percent tax brackets you can realize capital gains on investments held for more than a year at a zero percent tax rate in 2009.
- Watch out for the social security bubble – Up to 85% of your benefits could be subject to income taxation depending on other sources of income.
- Taxpayers normally subject to required minimum distributions from tax deferred accounts have been granted a waiver for 2009. It may make sense, however, to take some amount from those accounts depending on tax bracket. Also, remember that you have sixty days from the distribution date to rollover into an IRA if you change your mind.
- Look at making a Roth conversion. Because of the tax-free nature of the withdrawals, you need to consider your current tax bracket vs. your future tax bracket.
- Consider donating appreciated stock rather than writing a check.
- Make your property tax and estimated state income tax payments by December 31 if you want the write off for federal tax purposes. Make sure that you consider the implications for alternative minimum tax.
- Weigh 2009 and 2010 together. For example, you might want to wait until January to make property tax and state estimated tax payments if you think you will be in a higher tax bracket in 2010.
- If you are in the position to do so, you can gift to as many individuals as you wish up to $13,000 as the allowed gift tax exclusion. If you are married, your spouse can gift $13,000 to those same individuals.
- The Hope Education Credit was renamed the “American Opportunity Tax Credit” for 2009. This maximum credit for the first four years of postsecondary education is now increased to $2500. This includes course materials costs in addition to tuition and fees.
