Last-Minute Tax Strategies to Reduce What You Owe

Are you preparing your taxes and preliminarily seeing that you owe this year? While that can be frustrating, there is still time to reduce your taxes if you qualify. The main ways are through contributions and losses—contributions to a traditional IRA or HSA and realizing losses from a brokerage account. Contributions need to be made by April 15th, and losses have closed out in past years but can roll over.

Traditional IRA
For 2024, the maximum IRA contribution is:

• $7,000 for those under 50
• $8,000 for those 50 or older

This can be directly deducted from your income. However, certain exceptions may limit the full deduction, such as if you or your spouse have a 401(k) through work or if your income exceeds certain thresholds. At a glance, here is whether it’s possible to contribute to get that deduction.

HSA Contribution
Contributing to a "prior year" HSA is another option for people who have a high-deductible healthcare plan (HDHP). Those plans have access to an HSA, and contributions can be tax-deductible. If you are unsure whether you have the right type of plan, ask your benefits specialist.

• $4,150 for an individual plan
• $8,300 for a family plan
• Additional $1,000 for those over age 55

If both spouses have a family HSA, their max contribution can be $8,300 combined. Lastly, if your employer contributes to these plans, their contributions will count toward your total contribution.
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Capital Losses
You can deduct up to $3,000 from your ordinary income if you sold positions in your brokerage accounts in the previous year. These losses can roll over from year to year. Be sure to keep records of these transactions and consult a tax professional for personalized guidance.

​If you have talked to your tax preparer and are ready to fund an account, we are here to help. With an array of investment options and guidance tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance, we will ensure your account fits into your broader financial plan.

Reference
1. Publication 590-A (2024), Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)

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