Your Year-End Tax Planning Checklist Starts Here

Selected theme: Year-End Tax Planning Checklist. Take a deep breath—this is where clarity replaces chaos. We’ll walk through practical, human, and proven steps to finish strong, reduce stress, and keep more of what you earned. Subscribe for reminders and a printable checklist, and share your wins with our community.

Deadlines and Documents You Can’t Miss

December 31 is the finish line for many powerful moves—charitable gifts, certain retirement deferrals, and loss harvesting decisions. Mark January 15 for estimated taxes, and January statements for reconciliation. Comment with the deadline you almost forgot, and we’ll help you set a reminder.

Deadlines and Documents You Can’t Miss

Build a simple digital vault for pay stubs, charitable letters, brokerage summaries, health receipts, and tuition records. Mia in our community swapped a shoebox for a shared folder and saved hours at filing time. Try it today and tell us what system you prefer.

Bunch deductions strategically

If you’re near the standard deduction threshold, consider bunching medical expenses, property taxes (subject to SALT limits), and charitable giving into one year to itemize. Tell us whether you plan to bunch this year or next—we’ll share community tips.

Capture often-missed credits

Scan for the Saver’s Credit on retirement contributions, clean energy and efficiency credits for qualifying home upgrades, and education credits when tuition is billed late in the year. Post which credit you’ll pursue so others can compare notes and avoid missing out.

Track substantiation in real time

Create a single log for receipts, donation acknowledgments, miles driven for medical or charitable purposes, and energy improvement invoices. Upload confirmations the moment you receive them. Comment with your favorite tracking app to help others lock down clean documentation.

Top off your employer plan

Review your 401(k) or 403(b) deferrals and consider a final paycheck push. For 2024, many workers can defer up to $23,000, with an additional catch-up for those 50+. Share whether you’re increasing pre-tax or Roth contributions and why.

IRA moves and Roth considerations

Plan your IRA contributions and evaluate whether a Roth conversion aligns with your goals and tax bracket before year-end. Coordinate with withholding and estimated taxes. Ask the community how they timed conversions within their Year-End Tax Planning Checklist.

Realized losses can offset realized gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year, with excess carried forward. Prioritize fundamentals before tax outcomes. Tell us how you decide which lots to sell, and what rules keep you disciplined.

Small Business and Side Hustle Essentials

On a cash basis, you can accelerate necessary expenses or defer certain income with care. Stock supplies, schedule maintenance, or invoice strategically when appropriate. Share which timing move helps your business most and what you’ll change next year.

Small Business and Side Hustle Essentials

Project your year-to-date profit and revisit quarterly estimates. Know safe-harbor rules based on last year’s tax to avoid penalties. Post your favorite estimation method so others can compare models and refine their Year-End Tax Planning Checklist math.

Charitable Giving With Heart and Strategy

Gifting long-term appreciated securities may avoid capital gains and provide a deduction if you itemize. Coordinate transfers early to meet deadlines. Share whether you prefer donating cash or stock and why—it helps others choose confidently.

Charitable Giving With Heart and Strategy

Front-load multiple years of giving into a donor-advised fund for one larger deduction now, then grant over time. This pairs well with deduction bunching. Tell us your DAF strategy, and we’ll compile community examples for inspiration.