Maximizing Strategic Year-End Tax Planning — As the year ends, taxpayers have an important chance to review their finances and make moves that can lower their 2025 tax bill. With the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit increasing from $10,000 to $40,000, more people may benefit from prepaying state taxes before year-end—especially those who itemize deductions.
If your income has increased in 2025, confirm your estimated payments and withholdings match your expected liability. Adjusting year-end withholdings can help avoid penalties since these are treated as paid evenly throughout the year. It’s also a good time to maximize retirement contributions—401(k) and 403(b) limits are $23,500, plus catch-up options for those 50 and older. Taxpayers not covered by employer plans should review IRA or Roth IRA opportunities.
With the higher SALT limit, charitable gifts are more likely to provide a tax benefit. Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA to give directly to charity while lowering taxable income. Those turning 73 in 2025 must take required minimum distributions to avoid penalties, and families can make tax-free gifts up to $19,000 per person ($38,000 per couple) before year-end.
Year-end planning isn’t just about closing out this year—it’s about setting up for success in the next. Reviewing your goals and acting strategically now can help maximize savings and position you for a strong start in 2026.
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Maximizing Strategic Year-End Tax Planning — As the year ends, taxpayers have an important chance to review their finances and make moves that can lower their 2025 tax bill. With the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit increasing from $10,000 to $40,000, more people may benefit from prepaying state taxes before year-end—especially those who itemize deductions.
If your income has increased in 2025, confirm your estimated payments and withholdings match your expected liability. Adjusting year-end withholdings can help avoid penalties since these are treated as paid evenly throughout the year. It’s also a good time to maximize retirement contributions—401(k) and 403(b) limits are $23,500, plus catch-up options for those 50 and older. Taxpayers not covered by employer plans should review IRA or Roth IRA opportunities.
With the higher SALT limit, charitable gifts are more likely to provide a tax benefit. Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA to give directly to charity while lowering taxable income. Those turning 73 in 2025 must take required minimum distributions to avoid penalties, and families can make tax-free gifts up to $19,000 per person ($38,000 per couple) before year-end.
Year-end planning isn’t just about closing out this year—it’s about setting up for success in the next. Reviewing your goals and acting strategically now can help maximize savings and position you for a strong start in 2026.
Understanding the true value of a business is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of ownership. Business valuations provide clarity, whether you’re planning for the future, managing estate considerations, or preparing for a transition. Our team helps business owners uncover their company’s worth, turning financial data and industry insights into actionable strategies for growth and success.
What is a Business Valuation?
A business valuation is a comprehensive analysis that estimates the value of your business. This process involves a detailed review of financial statements or tax returns, interviews with owners and management, and comparisons to published data for similar companies. The result is either a full valuation report for external purposes, like estate or gift tax reporting, or a concise calculation of value for internal planning.
Why Are Business Valuations Important?
Business owners are often surprised by the results of a valuation. This insight is essential for several reasons. Valuations are frequently required for reporting compliance, such as estate and gift tax returns or annual reporting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). They also play a crucial role in strategic planning, aiding in estate tax planning, gift planning, and exit planning.
What Are the Benefits?
For business owners, valuations extend beyond compliance; they provide an opportunity to gain clarity and take control. Understanding the current value of their business enables owners to plan a successful exit strategy, including setting realistic expectations for its price and identifying ways to enhance its value. Valuations also reveal areas for improvement, such as addressing risks or seizing opportunities to boost profitability. Moreover, having an accurate valuation ensures readiness for the future, whether it involves retirement, succession planning, or preparing for a sale.
Our Approach
Each valuation engagement begins with getting to know the client. We look into financials, operations, and market comparisons to create a report that meets your needs. Whether you need a full valuation for reporting or a concise calculation for planning, our team delivers actionable insights with clarity and precision. Our mission is to help clients make informed decisions based on reliable data. Listen to our full podcast episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your platform of choice to dive deeper into this topic.
It Depends
Maximizing Strategic Year-End Tax Planning — As the year ends, taxpayers have an important chance to review their finances and make moves that can lower their 2025 tax bill. With the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit increasing from $10,000 to $40,000, more people may benefit from prepaying state taxes before year-end—especially those who itemize deductions.
If your income has increased in 2025, confirm your estimated payments and withholdings match your expected liability. Adjusting year-end withholdings can help avoid penalties since these are treated as paid evenly throughout the year. It’s also a good time to maximize retirement contributions—401(k) and 403(b) limits are $23,500, plus catch-up options for those 50 and older. Taxpayers not covered by employer plans should review IRA or Roth IRA opportunities.
With the higher SALT limit, charitable gifts are more likely to provide a tax benefit. Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA to give directly to charity while lowering taxable income. Those turning 73 in 2025 must take required minimum distributions to avoid penalties, and families can make tax-free gifts up to $19,000 per person ($38,000 per couple) before year-end.
Year-end planning isn’t just about closing out this year—it’s about setting up for success in the next. Reviewing your goals and acting strategically now can help maximize savings and position you for a strong start in 2026.
