Last-Minute Tax Strategy: Accelerating Deductions

Dec 1, 2025 | Tax & Accounting

Have you been claiming the standard deduction the last few years? If so, you may want to rethink that for 2025. The expanded state and local tax (SALT) deduction may cause your total itemized deductions to exceed the standard deduction and itemizing to make sense.

In that case, you might benefit from accelerating more SALT expenses and other itemized deductions into 2025. Examples include qualified medical and dental expenses (to the extent that they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income), home mortgage interest (generally on up to $750,000 of home mortgage debt on a principal residence and a second residence) and charitable contributions. Contact the office to discuss whether this strategy may be right for you.

Recent Posts

Get Ahead of Taxable Benefits

Get Ahead of Taxable Benefits

Oct 4, 2026 | ,

As year end approaches, businesses have plenty of tax and payroll tasks competing for attention. One easy-to-overlook area is employee and owner benefits. Identifying taxable benefits before the final payroll runs of 2026 can help prevent reporting errors, payroll tax...

Could You Owe the NIIT?

Could You Owe the NIIT?

Oct 3, 2026 | ,

Selling a highly appreciated investment late in the year could trigger an additional tax cost: the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT). If you’re considering a significant transaction before January 1, first estimate the potential tax impact and evaluate planning...

Tax-Smart Building Improvements

Tax-Smart Building Improvements

Oct 2, 2026 | ,

If your business is planning improvements to a building before year end, careful planning may allow you to maximize your 2026 tax deduction. A special safe harbor can allow qualifying small businesses to deduct such expenditures currently — but only if expenses don’t...

Charitable Givers Get a New Tax Break

Charitable Givers Get a New Tax Break

Oct 1, 2026 |

Beginning in 2026, taxpayers who take the standard deduction may deduct up to $1,000 of qualifying charitable contributions, or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Only cash contributions qualify, such as gifts made by check, debit or credit card, payment...