Year-End Tax Planning Tips

Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays, time off, and family should be celebratory, not burdensome. But if you approach taxes with an eye toward reducing your liability for next year, the concept becomes more amenable. And indeed, there are numerous tax-savings strategies that you can implement that could potentially reduce your tax obligations. Let’s take a look.

Turn Losses into Gains

If you anticipate that your investments will yield short- or long-term capital gains, you can offset these with realized capital losses, according to the IRS.

For assets that you hold less than a year, the gains (short-term) are taxed at ordinary rates from 10% to 37%, which you can offset with short-term losses. Similarly, for assets that you hold longer than a year (long-term), the gains are taxed at a top rate of 20%, which you can reduce by long-term capital losses.11 If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 in capital losses against your ordinary income on that year’s tax return, while carrying forward unused losses, if any, to future years.

Accordingly, you might consider avoiding short-term gains, since these are taxed at higher rates. If you are anticipating a short-term gain, either offset them with short-term losses, or else consider holding onto the assets for at least a year, when they become long-term assets.

Review your portfolio and estimate your gains and losses. Most capital gains and losses are triggered when you sell the asset, offering you control over the event. However, others — mutual funds, for instance — are difficult to predict as they are comprised of numerous assets. Assess those assets that have performed well and those that have incurred losses. If there are under-performers that can cover your gains, it will help minimize your capital gains tax.

Also, it is advantages to elect losses before gains, as you can carryover unused losses to future years. Capital gains are taxed in the year in which they are realized.

Avoid the Net Investment Income Tax

The IRS assesses a 3.8% tax on unearned income for high-income taxpayers, which applies to single taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income of $200,000 or more and for those who are married and filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income of $250,000 or more. This increases the top rate on most long-term capital gains to 23.8%, which applies to interest, dividends, royalties, and rents, among other items (collectively called “net investment income”).

Assets that do not fall under this net investment income classification and thereby avoid the 3.8% additional tax include distributions from IRAs or qualified retirement plans, annuity payouts, and income from tax-exempt municipal bonds. Consider these distinctions to avoid additional tax liability.

Looking Forward

As the tax laws change frequently, consult a tax or financial professional to assess ways that you can manage your tax burden.

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.

This material was prepared by LPL Financial, LLC.

1 According to IRS Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses, you can offset long-term gains with net short-term capital losses, too, in certain instances. See https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-550.

Disclosure:

This material has been given an ‘Approved As Is’ status by Advertising Review. For advisors who want to sue and/or customize pre-approved materials, they must first review the Communications with the Public chapter of the Advisor Compliance Manual. Specifically the sections on Commonly Used Disclosures and Pre-Approved Communications. There, they will find instructions on how to use the correct Broker-Dealer disclosure, use pre-approved materials, and how to meet their Books and Records Requirements.

Tracking #1-05080982

Exp. 11/2022

Work with Certified Industry Professional

Jerrí Hewett Miller CFP®, RICP, BFA

 

As Seen In


As Seen In

Are you seeking the confidence to move forward?

Schedule some time with us to talk and see if we’re a good fit for each other.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member of the FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through IFG Advisory, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisor. IFG Advisory, Integrated Financial Group, and Wealth Horizon, Inc. are separate entities from LPL Financial.

FIVE STAR Wealth Manager Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2014-2019 Five Star Wealth Managers.

Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors and Firms represent less than 1% of financial advisors in the U.S. As of January 2018, of the 848 considered for the Women’s Choice Award, 145 were named Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisors/Firms. The Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisor program was created by WomenCertified Inc., the Voice of Women, in an effort to help women make smart financial choices. The program is based on 17 objective criteria associated with providing quality service to women clients such as credentials, experience and a favorable regulatory history, among other factors. The inclusion of a financial advisor within the Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisor network should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial advisor by WomenCertified or its partners and affiliates and is no guarantee as to future investment success.

The LPL Financial Registered Representative associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of the following states:
 AL, CO, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, OH, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA.