This article is original content written by Thomas Scanlon, CPA, CFP® of Manchester, CT.
Half of the year is almost over. Don’t wait until the end of the year to do your planning. It’s time for your Mid-Year Tax Review.
1) Review your withholding. Review your prior year income tax return for the income tax paid. Check your year-to-date paystub to see if your withholding is tracking where it needs to be. If you need to adjust your federal withholding, file Form W-4 with your employer. You should also review your state income tax withholding. If you are employed in Connecticut and want to adjust your Connecticut withholding, complete an updated CT-W-4 and submit this to your employer.
2) Review your estimated tax payments. The self-employed, retirees or investors with passive income through interest, dividends, capital gains or rents may not have any income tax withheld and need to pay estimated taxes. The second quarter estimated tax is due on June 15th. The final two payments are due on September 15th and January 15. The payment is made on Form 1040-ES. Connecticut estimated tax payments are made on Form CT-1040-ES.
3) Maximize your contributions to your 401(k) plan. Employees whose employer offers a 401(k) plan can put away up to $19,800 per year into the plan. Taxpayers over age 50 can put an additional $6,500 in a so-called “Catch – Up” contribution.
4) Maximize your contributions to a Roth IRA. Taxpayers that are eligible can put $6,000 into a Roth IRA. Taxpayers over age 50 can make an additional $1,000 contribution. Unlike a regular IRA, the contribution is not tax deductible. If however the account is open for 5 years and the distributions occur after age 59 1/2, then all of the distributions are tax-free.
5) Consider a Roth Conversion. This is when assets are removed from a regular IRA, taxed, and then converted into a Roth IRA. Younger taxpayers or investors with cash outside of the IRA to pay the tax should consider this strategy.
6) Review your capital gains and losses. The long-term capital gains rate is stated at 15%. Higher income taxpayers pay 20%. Long-term capital gains are defined as capital assets sold that have been held longer than a year. Short term capital gains are assets held less than a year. These are subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates.
7) Take your Required Minimum Distribution (“RMD”). Taxpayers over age 72 must begin to take their RMD from their IRA’s and other tax deferred accounts.
8) Consider gifts to family members. Individuals can make gifts up to $15,000 per year to an unlimited number of people without having to file gift tax returns or pay any gift tax. The person making the gift does not get an income tax deduction. They do however get these assets out of their estate. Parents can help children and grandchildren by making these gifts.
9) Step up your donations to charity. Charitable donations are allowed as an itemized deduction. Many charitable organizations are hurting. Help the charity, take a tax deduction and feel good about yourself.
ACTION ITEM: Take these 9 Easy Steps for your Mid-Year Tax Review. The year-end will be here before you know it.
Tom Scanlon has over thirty years experience in public accounting with an extensive background in the areas of financial, tax, and estate planning. He prides himself on providing in-depth and customized solutions to privately held businesses and their owners. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner®. Tom is a frequent speaker for area organizations and has recently been quoted on CNBC, Fox 61 News and AARP's blog. Tom also has been a guest columnist for numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Money Magazine, The Hartford Courant, The Hartford Business Journal, and The New Haven Register. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Financial Planning Association. Active in the community, Tom supports a variety of not-for-profit organizations.
