The 2024/25 tax season is fast approaching and, therefore, every household in the US should deploy to leverage on saving tax legally. The following are the top ten tips for American to consider in order to remain helping in legal taxation ways.
1. Retirement Contributions
One of the most effective ways to reduce ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (AGI) and, therefore, tax liability is through retirement contribution.
401 K contributions: the contribution limit in 2024 is $23,000 hence one needs to ensure her does not fall below the maximum amount.
IRA Contributions: the total contribution limit to IRAs is $7,000 hence one needs to consider using the full amount of a traditional one to get the immediate tax deduction.
Catch-Ups Contributions: $7,500 for age 50 and above to your 401 K and $1,000 to your IRA.
2. Tax Credits
Tax credits are more valuable than deductions since they lower the tax due.
EITC: available for low to moderate-income earners saving you possibly thousands of money.
Child Tax Credit: $3,600 per child under 6, CTC, and $3,000 for child between 6 to 17.
Education Credits: The American Opportunity Tax Credit for a student is $2,500, whereas Lifetime Learning Credit worth $2,000.
3. Deductions
Deduction significantly helps in reducing the taxable income plus other eligible deduction can exceed the cut off mark to deduct one’s ADMI-T.
Mortgage Interest: the interest to be deducted on the mortgage worth 10s thousand.
State and Local Taxes-SALT: deducting 10s thousand property tax income and annual tax.
Charitable Donations: Deduct both cash and non-cash donations, and save receipts and appraisals for non-cash contributions.
4. Consider Health Savings Accounts
HSAs have a triple tax benefit: contribution can be deducted, earnings can grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free if used for eligible medical expenses.
Contribution Limits: In 2024, it’s $3,850 for individual and $7,750 for family.
Catch-Up Contributions: For those 55 and older, the individual limit is extendable by another $1,000.
Qualified Medical Expenses: Similarly to the medical expenses box, list expenses that can be bought using HSA money.
5. Review Investment Strategies
Tax-efficient investing can have a significant impact on your taxable income.
Long-Term Capital Gains: Any investment held for more than a year is taxed differently.
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Offset your other taxes with the money you lose.
Roth IRA Conversions: Conversions means converting your traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs.
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6.Use Flexible Spending Accounts
FSAs permit you to utilize pretax dollars for healthcare and dependent care expenditures. Contributions lessen your taxable income.
Healthcare FSA: Contribute up to $3,050 to cover medical, dental, and vision.
Dependent Care FSA: Contribute up to $5,000 for child care or elder care.
Plan Contributions: Put these amounts, and the use-it-or-lose-it rule, when planning your contributions.
7. Use Education Savings Plans
529 plans offer tax-free growth on contributions used for qualified education expenses.
State Tax Deductions: Some locales offer state tax deductions.
Qualified Expenses: Allocations include tuition, fees, books, and some room and board.
Tax-Free Withdrawals: Note that withdrawals must be used for qualified expenses to be oxygen-free.
8. Home Office Deduction
Running a business from your home entitles you to the home office deduction.
Exclusive Use: The only approach is to use space exclusively for business purposes.
Regular Use: The second approach is to use the area on a regular basis for business activities.
Simplified Method: $5 per square foot may be deducted, with a maximum of 300 square feet, totaling $1,500.
9. Monitor Your Tax Bracket
Understanding your tax bracket will help you control your taxable income.
Defer income: Defer income to the next year to stay within a lower tax bracket.
Accelerate Deductions: pay all deductible expenditures before year-end to reduce your taxable income.
Tax Bracket Planning: Review your income and deductions on a regular basis to optimize your saving tax.
10. Seek Professional Advice
Tax laws are complicated and are constantly being changed. Consult a tax professional to determine if you have all of your deductions and credits.
Stay Updated: Stay current on changes to tax laws.
Personalized Advice: Get advice tailored to your financial situation.
Audit Support: If the IRS audits you, your professional can assist you and provide peace of mind.
Bonus Tip for Saving Tax:
Tax software is used to prepare tax returns, calculates tax and other deductions or credits.
User Friendly: Many tax processors are straightforward in design, providing a step-by-step process.
Error Check: In addition, it prevents mistakes and guarantees that you receive all of your money back.
Affordable prices: Furthermore, most aren’t costly and even offer support.
Consider using the methods listed above to increase your credits and lower deductions for the 2024/25 tax saving year. Planning is key, start as soon as possible to guarantee you benefit most from these opportunities.
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