Year-End Tax Planning For Individuals - Accelerating Income

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ABA Tax Accounting | Tax Services | St. Paul, MN Accounting Firm

Federal, State, Local and International Taxes -Tax planning is always a good idea, but with the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire and tax rates set to rise to pre-2010 levels, it's more important than ever. With that in mind, accelerating income is one tax planning strategies you can use this year to help you cut your tax bill in 2013.
ACCELERATING INCOMEIn most years, taxpayers adopt a strategy of deferring income, but with the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire on December 31, 2012, income tax rates and capital gains taxes set to rise, and a 0.9 percent Hospital Insurance (HI) tax applicable to earnings of self-employed individuals or employee wages in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 if filing jointly) effective January 1, 2013, it might make more sense to accelerate income into 2012 instead of deferring it to 2013. Here are some of the ways you can do this:

• Sell any investments on which you have a gain this year and take advantage of the zero percent long-term capital gains tax rate if you're in the 10% or 15% tax bracket, or a 15% tax rate for higher tax brackets.
• If you are expecting a bonus at year-end, try to get it before December 31. However, keep in mind that contractual bonuses are different, in that they are typically not paid out until the first quarter of the following year. Therefore, any taxes owed on a contractual bonus would not be due until you file a tax return for tax year 2013.
• If your company grants stock options, you may want to exercise the option or sell stock acquired by exercise of an option this year if you think your tax bracket will be higher in 2013. Exercise of the option is often but not always a taxable event; sale of the stock is almost always a taxable event.
• If you're self employed, send invoices or bills to clients or customers this year in order to be paid in full by the end of December.
• Caution: Keep an eye on the estimated tax requirements.

CALL US FIRST – This is just one of the year-end planning tax moves that could make a substantial difference in your tax bill for 2012. But the best advice we can give you is to give us a call. We'll sit down with you, discuss your specific tax and financial needs, and develop a plan that works for your business.ABA Tax AccountingAmare Berhie, Senior Tax Accountantamare@abataxaccounting.com612-282-3200866-936-0430 Toll Freehttp://www.abataxaccounting.comwww.abataxaccounting.wordpress.com