Uncertainty has been a daily companion for the better part of two years for many in today’s society. In the context of tax laws, this is especially true as tax legislation remains on the current administration’s agenda. There is growing consensus that tax rates will rise in the future. Although the questions remain to what extent and when new legislation may be passed, there are effective tax strategies available for your unique situation, which can be implemented today with proper, qualified, professional guidance.
On the Income Side:
For High-Net-Worth Individuals/Investors
- Consider Loss Harvesting – Maximum deductible net capital loss remains $3,000 per year after offsetting capital gains.
- Be Wary of Wash Sales – When repurchasing the same stock within 30 days of sale across all of your holding’s losses are limited.
- Recognize Capital Gains – Look at unrealized gains before year-end to capture the appreciation in a potentially lower tax year.
- Qualified Small Business Stock Exclusion – Currently, if certain parameters are met, capital gains can be excluded from income under §1202.
- Be Aware of the Preferred Long Term Capital Gain Tax Rates of 0%, 15% and 20% – You can pay lower, preferred tax rates at certain income levels.
- Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) Remains – At this time, the 3.8% NIIT is here to stay for taxpayers above the AGI threshold.
- Opportunity Zone Investments – While the basis adjustment is no longer available for new investments, Qualified Opportunity Fund investments can still provide current tax deferral of gains and exclusion of future appreciation if holding periods are met.
For Executives/Wage Or Self-Employed Earners
- Defer (Until 2023) or Accept (in 2022) Bonuses - Accelerate or reduce taxable income to maximize tax efficiency.
- Maximize Retirement Contributions –
- Review your limitations before year-end.
- Establish and anticipate how to fund self-employed retirement plans.
- Maximize Flexible and Dependent Care Spending Accounts for 2023
- Maximize Health Savings Accounts Contributions – If you have a qualified high-deductible health plan.
- Remember to Catch-up Contributions – For those over 50 (retirement) or 55 (FSA/HSA).
- Revisit Withhholding Elections Before Year-End – Ensure you are sufficiently withheld at the federal and state tax level including other pre-tax elections for 401(k) plans and parking/transportation expenses.
- Monitor Your Self-Employed Income and Plan for Big Ticket Purchases – With 100% bonus depreciation and bigger expense limitations for M&E and capital expenditures, look at your year-end income and factor in QBI deductions as you review future income prospects. Bonus depreciation will start to phase out in 2023 with an 80% deduction in 2023 and less in later years.
For Retirees and Retirement Planning
- Contribute and Maximize Your Deductible and Nondeductible IRAs – Don’t forget about the $1,000 catch-up for those eligible.
- Contribution and Maximize Non-IRA Plans - Don't forget the 2022 catch-up contributions for 401(k), 403(b), and 457 retirements plans allow a taxpayer an additional contribution amount of up to $6,500 (limited to $3,000 for SIMPLE plans) to be made on top of the annual elective salary deferral limit.
- Take Your RMD – The mandatory requirements are back in 2022 for those over 72 years of age unless already started.
- Consider Qualified Charitable Distributions – With RMDs back and large standard deductions, you can reduce your AGI up to $100K.
- Revisit Inherited IRA Distribution Requirements – While the IRS has provided relief that no excise tax/penalty will be assessed in the 2021 or 2022 taxable year if required minimum distributions were not made for IRA’s inherited (from someone other than surviving spouses or minor children) from a decedent who was already receiving RMD’s, annual RMD’s will be required to be taken in 2023 with a full distribution being required by the end of the 10th calendar year following the decedent’s death.
- Consider Roth Conversions – If you are in a lower tax bracket today than you anticipate in the future, it may be time to convert.
2022 Year-End Tax Planning Resources
Withum’s Year-End Tax Planning Resource Center is a one-stop-shop for annual tax planning tips for individuals and businesses, legislative and regulatory changes, COVID impacts and other tax-saving opportunities.
On the Deduction Side:
Adjustments and Itemized Deduction Considerations
Medical
- The 7.5% of AGI floor is permanent for deducting medical expenses. Some over-the-counter medical expenses and menstrual care products are qualified medical expenses for FSAs, HSAs, and medical deductions.
State Taxes
- The $10,000 SALT cap remains, but there are workarounds with PTETs.
Charitable
- Above the line $300 or $600 charitable deductions are no longer available in 2022
- Be aware of AGI limitations on cash contributions in 2022 – 60% of AGI for individuals and 30% AGI limitation for capital gain property
- Contribute to donor-advised funds – defer the donation decision to a particular organization while receiving benefit for the donation today (Great for appreciated securities)
- Don’t forget about qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) in 2022
Other
- Disaster Loss – These must occur in a federally-declared disaster area, so review the outstanding insurance claims to enable a deduction.
- Bunch Your Deductions – Apply bunching strategy on medical, charitable, and mortgage expenses in one year or the other, especially if you are close to the itemizing threshold.
- Itemize on Federal to Receive State Benefit – Often itemizing at the federal level produces a similar benefit on your state filing.
- Receive State Benefit for Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Subject to 2% Floor – While miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to 2% floor are still disallowed at the federal level, few states still permit the deductions when itemizing.
Gift, Estates and the Family Legacy
- Make All Annual Exclusion Gifts – $16,000 per donee annual exclusion gifts ($17,000 per donee in 2023)
- Superfund the 529 Plan – Up to $80,000 per donee.
- Bonus – These plans may provide a state level tax deduction depending on account owner and state rules
- Prepay Tuition and Medical Expenses – These remove assets from your estate and are not taxable gifts and do not reduce the annual exclusion limits.
Authors: Ted Nappi, Partner and Market Leader, Private Client Services | [email protected] and Justin Lynch | [email protected]
Contact Us
For more information on this topic, reach out to Withum’s Private Client Services Team to discuss your specific situation as year-end approaches.
Disclaimer:No action should be taken without advice from a member of Withum’s Tax Services Team because tax law changes frequently, which can have a significant impact on this guide and your specific planning possibilities.
