5 Ways To Build A Better Tax Plan

You just finished your taxes, but it’s not too early to make plans for next year.

It’s important that as you build your plan, you think about some strategies to reduce or defer your taxes now or in the future. Here are some strategies to consider helping your financial plan become more tax-efficient:

  1. Tax harvesting

Usually, this strategy is implemented near the end of the calendar year, but it can be done at any time. With tax-loss harvesting, you sell off holdings that have a loss position to offset the gains you’ve experienced from other sales.

The asset you sold is then replaced with a similar investment to maintain the portfolio’s asset allocation and expected risk and return levels. It won’t restore your losses, but it can help ease the pain

2. Using long-term gains and the 0% tax rate

For those who fall within the 15% tax bracket, your long-term gains are tax-free. Make it a habit to project your taxes and to look for tax opportunities every year as part of your plan.

3. Making IRA contributions

You have until the upcoming April’s Tax Day to make a Roth or traditional IRA contribution for that tax year, but why put it off? In fact, you could even use your income tax refund to fund it. Remember, a Roth creates tax-free income in the future.

4. Using the “backdoor” Roth

Some people make too much money to contribute to a Roth IRA or to take a deduction on a traditional IRA. But you still can make a contribution to a traditional IRA without the deduction and later convert it to a Roth.

There’s no tax due, except on growth in the account that you earn between the time of the contribution and the conversion. If you hold money in a traditional IRA for a short time only, the growth – and the resulting tax – should be small.

5. Exploring financial vehicles that can defer taxes on dividends, interest and capital gains

Tax deferral allows you to employ the triple compounding effect: It pays interest on the principle, interest on the interest and interest on the taxes that you would have paid if you were in an investment that was taxed annually.

This year – or any year for that matter – don’t wait until the end of the year to think about the moves that could save you on your tax return.

Get together with your financial or tax professional now to discuss a plan that will help you pursue your goals.

Important Disclosures: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in all market environments.

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.

Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax deductible in the contribution year, with current income tax due at withdrawal. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax in addition to current income tax. The Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Withdrawals from the account may be tax free, as long as they are considered qualified. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Future tax laws can change at any time and may impact the benefits of Roth IRAs. Their tax treatment may change. Traditional IRA account owners should consider the tax ramifications, age and income restrictions in regards to executing a conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The converted amount is generally subject to income taxation.

The article was prepared by The Kiplinger Washington Editors.

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