It’s that time of year again, but don’t wait for tax time to save money. You can do it year round by keeping in mind your qualified deductions. One of the best tax tips to save money is with good organization and planning. Keep records and notes on what you can write off so you are prepared to file at the end of the year. Here are some tax tips homeowners and residents of Charleston, SC should keep in mind this year:
DISASTER RELIEF
It was a stormy year for the Charleston area. Flooding and damage from Hurricane Matthew affected lot of homeowners. Did you know that homeowner losses that are not covered by insurance can be deducted on your taxes? If you went through a natural disaster and suffered a loss on your home that led to receiving federal aid, then you may be able to deduct costs that were not covered under your insurance. Likewise, if you experienced a wildfire, flood, hurricane, tornado or anything similar that created major property loss, you’ll want to consider ALL write-off options with a tax professional.
MOVED TO CHARLESTON?
Did you move to Charleston for a job? Then you can deduct moving costs for that new job. The new job has to be at least 50 miles from your previous home. If you used your vehicle as transportation for the move, you could deduct mileage costs, parking and tolls. Be sure to calculate the costs of your move and save.
GREEN ENERGY
If you installed alternative energy in your southern abode, you can deduct some of the cost through a renewable energy tax credit. You’ll receive a 30% rebate on money spent on green items like solar, geothermal and wind. There is no cap.
MORTGAGE INTEREST
Homeowners can also deduct some of their mortgage interest, as well as property taxes, for year-end savings.
HOME OFFICE/SELF-EMPLOYED
If you are self-employed and have a home office in your Charleston house, you can get a tax deduction on a portion of your utilities, rent/office, as well as other items such as career memberships, education and subscriptions. Save your receipts for all your qualified business deductions and make sure to write it all off when filing your taxes. The self-employed may apply for tax deductions that regular business employees can’t. They can deduct items like part of the rent and utilities as well as equipment, work trucks, cars, vans and more.
DON’T WAIT FOR THE BIG REFUND; MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK NOW
If you normally get a big refund, it may mean you are having too much tax taken out of your regular paycheck. It’s like giving the Federal government a free loan! An important tax tip is to adjust your W4 with your employer to get more of your money upfront. Then utilize it immediately and invest it better. There are many online withholding calculators you can use to run different numbers and figure out what works best for your situation.
FUND YOUR 401K
You can lower your taxes by reducing the actual income that is taxable. One of the best and most productive ways to do this is to invest in your employer’s 401K plan. There are limitations on the amounts you can invest. In 2016, if you are under 50 years old, you can contribute up to $18,000. Employees that are 50 or older may contribute an additional $6000, for a total of up to $24,000. This extra amount allows a graceful catch-up period to improve retirement outcome. 401K deductions are taken out of your paycheck before taxes, but you will pay a tax later when it becomes your retirement income.
IRAs
Another tax tip is to fund a Roth IRA or Roth 401K. These make good investments if you are worried about your taxes increasing over time and having to pay them on retirement income. You don’t get an upfront tax break with a Roth contribution, but when you start tapping into your retirement later, Uncle Sam can’t tax that income because he already did.
NO RETIREMENT PLAN OR SELF-EMPLOYED?
Perhaps you have no retirement plan through work or you are self-employed. No problem. You can fund your own retirement plans with an IRA or a Roth IRA as well. People under 50 can contribute $5500; over 50 can pay in $6500 a year. For help getting started, contact a financial planner. Financial experts like Dave Ramsey keep a directory of endorsed local providers that can teach you more about retirement planning and investing. He also has ELPs for taxes as well. You can also learn more about retirement resources through AARP.
FLEX PLANS AND HEALTHCARE
If your employer offers a health flex plan or medical reimbursement account, you can save up to 35% on taxes. You can use the pretax dollars in the account towards medical costs, prescriptions, coinsurance, copays and more — up to $2500.
CHILDCARE COSTS
Paying childcare costs with a childcare reimbursement account offered through your job can save you about one-third of the cost. You will not have an income tax or social security deduction on that portion of your salary. Don’t wait to deduct those bills later. Set up an account and receive the full benefits your company offers you.
CHARITY
You can claim any charity money donated to a tax-deductible charity as a deduction. Transportation to charitable events is also deductible. Track mileage and deduct it come tax time. You’ll feel good about giving back, and the government will give you a break for doing your part.
WRAP-UP
Always consider your expenses, lifestyle and costs when approaching your taxes. Many Americans leave hundreds of dollars on the table that they could claim in deductions when filing. Don’t make the same mistake. Follow these tax tips to save yourself money this year.
*Note: for information only. Not to be regarded as legal advice.
