Tax Tips, Rates and Brackets To Help Maximize Your Return

With year-end just around the corner, it is time for taxpayers to start taking some year-end actions with their finances to get the best outcome on theirtaxes. Thanks to the folks over at Turbo Tax, the leading online tax preparation and submission software, and my own experience here are some of the top tips to ensure you minimize your tax bill or maximize your refund.

1. Sell losing investments – With most investors seeing red across their portfolio’s this year, selling a few loser stocks for a net capital loss is a good way to get a $3,000 (or $1500 for single filers) offset against other sources of gain or income. The one silver lining from all the capital (stock) losses investors have suffered this year, is that they can carry unused capital losses forward for as long as they live. This means you can recoup some of those losses against future capital gains and tax returns. (See more on Capital Gains/Losses tax management)

2. Donate to Charity – Donating clothes, toys, household goods and other items to charity before Dec. 31 may help taxpayers who itemize claim bigger refunds while helping someone else. Using tax return software like Turbo Tax helps taxpayers accurately value donations in accordance with IRS guidelines so there’s no need to guess at an item’s fair market value.

3. Prepay some bills: Taxpayers can prepay a few of their bills due next year in the current year, and get to write them off on this year’s tax return. This includes mortgage payments and predictable medical expenses, like braces for the kids.

4. Maximize your 401k contributions: Increasing contributions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan not only gives taxpayers a boost for the future, it save taxes by lowering their taxable income. And that could help taxpayers take some other deductions based on their taxable income.

5. Second Chance Rebates – Some taxpayers who did not qualify for an economic stimulus payment are getting a second chance. Taxpayers may be eligible for a second-chance rebate if they:

- Filed a 2007 tax return, but didn’t qualify for a rebate, or qualified for less than the full amount due to their income, dependents or filing status.

- Had a financial or other life change in 2008 (got married, had a baby, increased or decreased income) that would qualify them for a rebate

6. Deduct job search expenses: Taxpayers who are unemployed or just looking to change jobs can deduct their job search expenses. The rules, however, require that their job search be in the same line of work they are currently in. Job search expenses can include travel, lodging, phone calls, resume preparation, and career counseling. These can be deducted even if they don’t get a job offer. However, if this is a first job, no job search expenses are deductible.

7. Tax relief for foreclosures: Recent legislation provides tax relief to people with a home loan that was reduced, restructured or foreclosed. Taxpayers that qualify may not have to pay taxes on the amount of debt that was forgiven by their bank.

8. Open or contribute to an IRA: Qualifying taxpayers have until April 15th to open or make contributions to an IRA or retirement account. Making a deductible contribution before the due date may help lower your tax bill.

9. New Home Buyer Credit: If you are buying a home for the first time, you could be eligible for the new homebuyer’s tax credit. See this post – 2010 New Homebuyer Credit Extension – for more on this credit.

Key Tax Changes you can benefit from:

[Update: See this post for 2009 vs. 2010 Federal Income Tax Bracket Tables and Standard Deduction Changes]

More Related posts:

1. 2011 Income Tax Brackets – New Provisions and Expiring Bush Tax Cuts Plus Higher Capital Gains, Dividend and Estate Tax Rates
2. Tax Tips and Choosing an IRS Regulated Tax Return Preparer Subject to New Oversight, Testing and Continuing Education Requirements
3. Tax Considerations in a Rising Government Spending and Tax Rates Environment
4. 2009 Tax Return Forms and IRS Schedules for Claiming Stimulus Tax Breaks Like the Home Buyer Credit, New Car Deduction and Energy Efficiency Credits
5. >Last Minute Tax Tips and TurboTax Premier Giveaway

Liked what you read? Then subscribe (free) to get the latest articles delivered via RSS or Email