1040

Year-end tax planning is always complicated by the uncertainty that the following year may bring. Even with the election behind us, 2012 is one of the most challenging in recent memory for year-end tax planning. A combination of events – including possible expiration of some or all of the “Bush-era” tax cuts after 2012, the imposition of new so-called Medicare taxes on investment and wages, doubts about renewal of tax extenders, and the threat of massive across-the-board federal spending cuts – have many taxpayers asking how can they prepare for 2013 and beyond, and what to do before then. The short answer is to quickly become familiar with expiring tax incentives and what may replace them after 2012 and to plan accordingly.

Year-end 2017 is shaping up as an important deadline to have tax strategies in place to take advantage of certain opportunities before they sunset along with the close of the tax year on December 31, 2017. A major challenge this year, of course, involves the uncertainty that will remain, likely into late November/early December, over pending tax reform legislation. This includes uncertainty regarding rate cuts, certain deductions, and much more. Effective strategies in response to any of these “tax reform” priorities involve close monitoring of any proposed tax bill as it moves through negotiations within the various Congressional tax committees and Trump administration officials, with year-end action steps ready to go based upon alternative legislative outcomes.

Although year-end 2017 may be unique because of possible tax reform, planning during the final weeks and months of this year involves much more –both in terms of traditional year-end strategies and strategies developed in response to developments that have taken place since last year. Here are some points to consider:

Deadline for filling personal tax return, or an extension must be filed.

Should the date fall on a weekend or holiday, it extends to the next workday.

Taxpayers who do not pay at least 90 percent of their tax through withholding generally are required to estimate their income tax liability and make quarterly payments of that liability during the year on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th and 12th months of their tax year. This applies to some Corporations and certain exempt organizations as well. Note, that if this date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline will be the next business day.