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+ | When the calendar shifts into the closing quarter taxpayers race to finish the tax year with a clean slate and a favorable balance sheet. | ||
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+ | The final three months—October, | ||
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+ | Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or a household with a mortgage and a growing list of expenses the proper steps can trim thousands from what you owe. | ||
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+ | Below are practical, time‑sensitive strategies to maximize deductions before the year ends. | ||
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+ | 1. Compile a " | ||
+ | Start by pulling together every receipt, invoice, and expense record from the past year. | ||
+ | Identify categories that are often overlooked: | ||
+ | Office supplies and equipment | ||
+ | Home‑office expenses (if you qualify) | ||
+ | Health‑related costs (medical, dental, and vision) | ||
+ | Vehicle expenses (business mileage or actual costs) | ||
+ | Professional development (courses, conferences, | ||
+ | Charitable contributions | ||
+ | The key is to capture everything before the December 31st deadline even minor expenses can accumulate when paired with other deductions. | ||
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+ | 2. Accelerate Capital Expenditures | ||
+ | If your business has a capital budget, you might buy equipment, software, or machinery before year‑end Section 179 lets you deduct the entire cost—up to the limit—of qualifying property in the year it’s placed in service for many small businesses, this can mean a sizable deduction that would otherwise be spread over several years under depreciation. | ||
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+ | If your planned purchase exceeds the Section 179 limit or you’re a larger entity, you can still benefit from bonus depreciation, | ||
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+ | 3. Make Retirement Plan Contributions | ||
+ | Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and employer‑sponsored plans such as 401(k)s, SEP‑IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs all offer tax‑deferred growth and deduction potential. Drop a contribution before the April 15th deadline to lower your taxable income for 2024. | ||
+ | Traditional IRA: Contributions are deductible up to $7,000 (or $6,500 if you’re under 50) in 2024, contingent on your income and employer plan participation | ||
+ | 401(k) or similar employer plan: Contributions limited to $23,000 in 2024, with an extra $7,500 catch‑up for those 50+ | ||
+ | SEP‑IRA or SIMPLE IRA: These are especially useful for self‑employed individuals and small business owners looking to contribute a larger percentage of income | ||
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+ | Remember, contributions made by December 31st count for the 2024 tax year, so don’t wait until the last minute to hit your goal. | ||
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+ | 4. Optimize the Home‑Office Deduction | ||
+ | If you qualify for the home‑office deduction—i.e., | ||
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+ | Key points: | ||
+ | Deduct utilities, rent or mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, and a portion of your internet bill | ||
+ | Keep detailed logs of business use versus personal use to back up your claim | ||
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+ | 5. Capture Tax‑Loss Harvesting | ||
+ | If you hold investments that have declined in value, the final quarter is the perfect time to consider a tax‑loss harvesting strategy. By selling a losing investment, you can offset capital gains realized elsewhere in your portfolio, reducing your overall tax liability. Be mindful of the " | ||
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+ | 6. Charitable Giving: Cash and Non‑Cash Contributions | ||
+ | Charity can be one of the most powerful deduction tools. Contributions of cash, stocks, or other appreciated assets are often deductible at fair market value, which can reduce the cost basis for the donor. | ||
+ | If you donate appreciated securities, you can avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation while still receiving a deduction at full market value | ||
+ | Non‑cash gifts such as clothing, furniture, or vehicles must be valued by a qualified appraiser if they exceed $500 in value | ||
+ | Keep a written acknowledgment from the charity, and don’t forget to retain the receipt for each contribution | ||
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+ | 7. Take Advantage of " | ||
+ | The holiday season can create legitimate business expenses that many overlook: | ||
+ | Gifts for employees or clients (up to $25 per person each year) | ||
+ | Marketing and promotional materials dispatched during the holidays | ||
+ | Travel and lodging for business trips taken over Christmas or New Year’s | ||
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+ | Be sure to distinguish between personal gifts and business gifts, and keep receipts that clearly show the business purpose. | ||
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+ | 8. Inspect Medical and Dental Expenses | ||
+ | If you’re close to reaching the threshold for medical expense deductions—currently 7.5% of adjusted gross income—then the last quarter may be the sweet spot to front‑load expenses. Pay for a deductible health plan, dental work, or even elective procedures before year‑end. Save all receipts, as you’ll need them to verify the deduction. | ||
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+ | 9. Pay Taxes Ahead of Schedule | ||
+ | If you anticipate owing taxes and want to avoid interest or penalties, consider making a prepayment of estimated tax. The IRS allows you to make a payment by December 31st that will count for the current year. This can be especially useful if you have a large deduction that brings your tax liability below zero; you can use the overpayment to offset the next year’s tax. | ||
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+ | 10. Monitor Tax Law Updates | ||
+ | Tax law is dynamic, and last‑quarter changes can affect deductions. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) may still have provisions expiring by 2025 Stay informed about any extensions or modifications by checking IRS updates or consulting a tax professional. | ||
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+ | 11. File Correctly and Organize | ||
+ | Finally, no deduction is worth your time if you can’t document it. File the correct forms—Schedule C, | ||
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+ | To sum up, the final quarter offers a strategic window to reap the benefits of diverse deductions By speeding capital expenditures, | ||
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