Dec. 1: It’s here. The last month of the year, meaning the last 31 days to make tax moves that could shave some off your 2024 tax bill, as well as set up 2025 as another saving, and easy, tax year. You could make things even easier on yourself if you opt next filing season to turn over your taxes to a professional. The key is picking the perfect tax pro for your filing (and more) needs. And you need to start your search now, as the good tax pros’ client lists fill up fast. If you can hire one soon, there’s a December bonus. You might get some year-end tax tips!
Dec. 4: In the meantime, check out these 10 tax moves to make in December. They could be the perfect tax present to give yourself.
Dec. 10: Do you work as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers are part of your compensation? I hope you get all the tips you deserve for doing your job well. Remember, though, that those tips are taxable income.
Whether you're dining at your favorite eatery or getting food delivered to your home, if a tip isn't included on your restaurant or delivery bill, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.
And if you got at least $20 in gratuities in November for your extraordinary services as a food server or hair stylist or parking valet or whatever job where tipping is common, you must report that amount by today. Use Form 4070 to let your employer know the total tips you took in last month.
Dec. 13: It’s the holiday season, full of joy and peace and goodwill toward all. So what the heck is a Friday the 13th doing in December? Don’t worry, at least not about tax fears and superstitions. Check out the tax truth about these 13 tax misperceptions. They’ll help get you through today and help you be a fearless taxpayer year-round.
Dec. 15: Christmas is just 10 days away! If you're still shopping for gifts, you're probably searching for the perfect present online. But beware and be wary. Internet crooks also are logged on, looking to steal your money and identity. Many of the holiday scams use the same techniques as tax scammers employ. Any personal information they get now can be used at tax time to file a fake return in your name and claim a fraudulent refund. So be careful out there, now and next filing season, and, well, unfortunately all the time.
Dec. 19: Are you taking on multiple gig jobs to make some extra holiday cash to pay for all those online orders? Those added side hustles mean you're an independent contractor. And that means you're responsible for paying income taxes due on the money, as well as any self-employment tax. In most cases, that means paying estimated tax on these end-of-year earnings by Jan. 15, 2025, to avoid a possible penalty for not paying as you earned the money.
Dec. 23: It's Christmas Week! That means holiday treats, final decorations — or first, if you wait until the very end to get a tree — and frantic last-minute shopping! Rather than worry about how you'll get the perfect gift under the tree on time, consider instead giving some easy tax-favored presents. Open a Roth IRA for your child or grandchild who earned some money this year. Or pay tuition by Dec. 31 for classes that will start in the first quarter of 2025.
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve!
No taxes tonight. It's early to bed for kiddies of all ages. Santa's on his way!
Click image to watch NORAD track Santa's Christmas Eve delivery route. Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! My gift to you is another day without tax thoughts.
Just enjoy the holiday and your family and friends.
Dec. 26: Happy Boxing Day. This unofficial holiday on St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by additional giving.
If you donate to your favorite charity on this Boxing Day or any other day by Dec. 31, on your 2023 taxes you'll have to itemize your gifts on Schedule A to claim them. If you don’t have enough expenses to exceed your standard deduction amount this tax year, consider delaying your charitable contributions until early January as part of a tax deduction bunching strategy.
Dec. 31: This is it. The drop-dead deadline to make most 2024 tax moves. A quick and easy action today is to zero out your medical flexible spending account (FSA) by buying over-the-counter medications for which the funds can be used. This is especially important if your employer doesn't offer a grace period to use the money or let you roll some FSA money over into 2025. Without those alternatives, you'll lose any FSA funds you don't use.
Done? Great! Make sure the champagne is chilling and settle in for your New Year's Eve party or a cozy night at home with your friends and loved ones. Either way, cheers and Auld Lang Syne as the ball drops at midnight.
Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.
Also don't forget that if you're a homeowner that does not have enough deductions to itemize, your standard deduction may be even higher with the additional standard deduction for real estate taxes paid ($500 single and $1,000 MFJ).
Posted by: Shane Eloe | Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Wes,
You've got to itemize to deduct charitable gifts. That means you must have IRS-approved expenses that exceed the standard amount for your filing status. If you're a single filer, that $5,700; married couple's standard deduction is twice that.
Once you're over that threshold, then everything else is gravy. Unless, of course, you make so much that your itemized deductions are reduced somewhat.
More on deduction options/choices in this tax tip: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/standard-or-itemized-tax-deduction.aspx
Thanks for reading!
Kay
Posted by: Kay | Friday, January 22, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Kay - how much do you have to give in order for it to be worthy of the deduction?
Posted by: Wes Masters | Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:31 PM