Prepare for Tax Season: Key Changes and Strategies

As the annual tax season approaches, it's crucial for taxpayers to meticulously organize their records to streamline the filing process, whether your tax appointment is in-person, virtual, or over the phone. The ease of this daunting task hinges on your record-keeping habits over the past year. Regardless of your organization level, thorough preparation yields more time to:

  • Analyze all potential legal deductions,

  • Assess optimal income reporting methods suited to your personal circumstances,

  • Understand current tax law modifications influencing your financial status, and

  • Discuss strategic tax-planning options to potentially reduce future liabilities.

What's New in 2025? Several pertinent adjustments stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), introducing pivotal updates:

  • No Tax on Tips: You may deduct up to $25,000 for qualified cash tips in typical tip-generating roles, with a phase-out threshold for AGI over $150,000 (singles) and $300,000 (joint filers).

  • Overtime Pay Deduction: Similar phase-out conditions apply to a deduction of up to $25,000 (joint filers) for eligible overtime pay.
    Example:
    Overtime Rate: $30.00
    Regular Rate: $20.00
    Deductible Per Hour: $10.00

  • Vehicle Loan Interest Deduction: Deductible interest for loans towards new personal-use vehicles, with phase-outs starting at $100,000 AGI for singles.

  • SALT Deduction Increase: The deduction cap for state and local taxes has expanded to $40,000, downscaling for MAGI above $500,000.

  • Enhanced Retirement Catch-Up: New limits for catch-up contributions apply for individuals aged 60-63, boosting retirement savings potential.

  • Child and Adoption Credits: Enhanced credit values under OBBBA, with specific criteria for eligibility and phase-out limits.

  • Section 179 Expensing & Bonus Depreciation: Expanded limits for immediate asset expensing, with bonus depreciation set permanently at 100% starting post-January 19, 2025.

  • Research Expenditures: Domestically incurred expenses are immediately deductible starting 2025, fostering innovation within U.S. borders.

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Effective Tax Strategies – The tax legislation provides multiple approaches for managing income and deductions. Your election can significantly impact current and future returns:

  • Property Sales: Opt to recognize entire sale gains in the sale year or defer gain realization across payment periods.

  • Depreciation: Decide between multi-year property depreciation or one-time full deduction, depending on circumstances.

Embark on your tax filing preparations early in January. Efficiently organizing records such as income categories and expense reports into file storage solutions or digital copies if advised by your office is crucial. Organization fosters convenience and ensures comprehensive reporting.

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  • Distinguish records into distinct expense categories, such as medical expenses, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions. Completing any supplied organizer or questionnaire accurately will enhance the efficiency of your appointment.

  • Highlight any foreign investments as they come with rigorous reporting standards enforced by severe penalties for non-compliance.

  • Be particularly vigilant with digital asset transactions, now reportable on Form 1099-DA, reflecting the IRS's increased scrutiny.

  • Ensure all supporting documents, particularly those required for health-related claims such as Forms 1095-A, B, and C, are available.

  • Maintain last year's income statements distinctly for precise return preparation.

Pursuing Detail Accuracy – Revisiting personal details and amendments is essential for return precision. For changes in personal status such as marital updates, incorporating respective legal documentation is critical.

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Recording dependents requires accuracy due to stringent IRS verification on Social Security numbers. Evaluate financial support levels against dependency qualification tests if you're unsure about specific dependents.

  • Noteworthy Transactions, like stock sales or foreign investments, necessitate full documentation, ensuring informed tax reporting. Utilize professional advice on transactions involving significant assets for any specialized requirements.

  • Enhance your tax outcome through meticulous planning and communication with your tax advisor regarding atypical transactions from the past year. Early consultation minimizes oversight, ensuring beneficial tax strategizing.

  • Please reach out for any clarification in assembling tax-related data, ensuring a seamless and beneficial filing process.

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