With several provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) taking effect in 2026, year-end planning may present new opportunities and considerations for taxpayers. It’s important to assess personal finances before the end of the year to determine if action is needed. This may include reviewing portfolios, funding retirement accounts and making gifts to family members or charities.
Review this checklist for strategies to minimize taxes and other potential benefits.
This resource can help uncover opportunities to improve your financial plan for the coming year. Explore our year-end planning checklist.
See more: Year-End Planning Begins With Projecting Income
Here are a few highlights from each area:
Keep investments on track
- Adjust or rebalance portfolios to make sure asset allocation reflects current risk profile
- Be aware of mutual fund distribution dates before making purchases
Identify opportunities to minimize taxes
- Estimate your projected income for the year to determine your marginal tax bracket
- If a low tax bracket applies, consider accelerating income before the end of the year; if a high tax bracket applies, consider deferring income into next year if possible
- Maximize new tax deductions if possible, including the expanded deduction for state and local taxes (SALT), tips, overtime and the deduction for seniors
Focus on retirement planning priorities
- Maximize retirement savings including catch-up contributions if age 50 or older and the additional catch-up contribution for those ages 60 through 63
- Remember to take required minimum distributions (RMDs), including those on inherited retirement accounts
- If concerned about higher taxes in the future, consider a Roth IRA conversion
Understand options for charitable giving
- Make charitable gifts before year-end to lower taxable income (if itemizing deductions)
- If over age 701⁄2 donate to charities from your IRA using a qualified charitable distribution (QCD)
- Lump several years of charitable gifts into one year using a donor-advised fund to itemize deductions
Create a legacy for family members
- Utilize the annual gift tax exclusion before year-end ($19,000 per individual or $38,000 for married couples electing to split gifts)
- Make sure important documents (e.g., wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives) are in place and up to date
- Make gifts into 529 college savings plans
Consult with an advisor
It is important to discuss tax, charitable giving, retirement and estate planning strategies with a tax and financial advisor to determine if they are appropriate for your overall financial plan.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
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