After each tax season we always feel relieved, as the pressure builds slowly but surely, much like the frog in the boiling water. This story has a better ending.
Taxes are done!
Here are a few tips that are hot of the presses and good reminders for NEXT years taxes!
HSA’s are Great, as is all pre-tax medical savings plans
If you can do an HSA, do one. If you are not sure, reach out to your employer and find out if you qualify, they will know in very short order. Don’t worry about using all of your HSA during the year, you will eventually need the funds for medical expenses.
We prefer HSA to the FSA’s or other plans that may expire annually. However, all pre-tax plans for medical expenses are great. When using the FSA or other “use it or lose it” type of plan, just make sure you do use it and do not let those hard earned dollars expire as the calendar turns to a new year.
Max that 401k
Now is a great time to make sure you are maxing your retirement plan. Do it evenly if possible! In a perfect scenario you likely want to run out of contributions in late November or early December. There are situations such as retirement, job change or other that may make it more appealing to fund early.
Do not overfund your 401k. This can be done via a job change or plan change. We have a more comprehensive article coming soon, but be reminded we do not want to over fund our 401k plans.
New plans can be aggressively invested. As the amount grows, the portfolio should be slowed down and be better diversified for the long term.
You Owed a bunch
If you owed a large amount of money and this is occurring repeatedly, it may be time to adjust your exemptions on for your employers W-4 records of your personal exemptions. Determine what your exemptions are currently and make an adjustment down in number. After your next paycheck, extrapolate the adjustment and see if that will cover your liability. Reach out to us if you need help!
Extension Filers
If you filed and extension, keep your feet moving, especially if you had large transactions or other items that may throw you into an “owed” mode. The longer you wait the more the penalties will be if you are caught by surprise.
Relax and enjoy the rest of the week and the full speed ahead into Summer !
You deserve it!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP