A Creative Plan to Help Lighten Your Tax Load
A Creative Plan to Help Lighten Your Tax Load
Everyone likes to save as much as they can on their taxes every year. Of course, this is a noble goal and everyone should be doing exactly that. Likewise, everyone likes to keep his or her tax return as easy and simple as possible, which is also a smart move. That’s why many people use the accounting and tax planning services we offer at GROCO. There are many different tax situations and no two people’s tax return are exactly alike. In other words, there are many different ways to arrive at the same goal, which is to make tax filing as easy as possible and save as much money as you can.
Patience Is a Virtue
It is said that “the early bird gets the worm,” but this phrase is also quoted often: “good things come to those who wait.” When it comes to your taxes, which one of these common words-of-wisdom applies to you is really a matter of your personal situation. However, if you enjoy practicing patience and you want to keep your tax return simple – at least every other year – then here is a creative tax plan that could be for you.
How It Works
If you make charitable donations you can pay the next year’s donations before the current year ends and add them to your deductions. You can also prepay the next year’s state and local taxes in advance. When you add up those two deductions with all of your other deductions, you could come up with a much more valuable list of itemized deductions.
Every Other Year
But wait, wouldn’t that mean my itemized deductions would be miniscule the following year? The answer is yes. However, the next year you could just take the Standard Deduction, which would most likely end up being much higher than what you would get if you went with your itemized deductions. By rotating every two years between the Standard deduction and your itemized deductions you could save more on your taxes each year. As an added bonus, you would only have to figure out your itemized deductions every other year. That means that every other year your filing process would also be made easier because you would just select the Standard deduction.
Itemize or Not?
The key is how many itemized deductions you have. If, by combining your deductions over a two-year period greatly increases the value of your itemized deductions, when compared to the Standard Deduction, then this method could be very helpful.
We Can Help You Decide
Of course, this plan is not for everyone and even for those who employ it, their tax situation could change enough from year-to-year that it might not always be beneficial. However, if you live by the words of Benjamin Franklin and believe that “he that can have patience can have what he will,” then maybe this two-year tax plan is perfect for you. Not sure how your taxes stand up to this idea? Don’t worry. GROCO has you covered. We can look at your individual tax situation and see what best fits you. Click here to contact us online or call us at 1-877-CPA-2006.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
We hope you found this article about “A Creative Plan to Help Lighten Your Tax Load” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com. GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.
Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.
The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.
They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world’s most successful individuals about their secrets to life’s success. Topics from guest have included:
Creating purpose in life / Building a foundation for their life / Solving problems / Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service / Becoming self-reliant / Enhancing effective leadership / Balancing family and work…
MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness. It’s mission statement:
In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.
Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.
Underpayment of Taxes – Personal Returns – How to Avoid Penalties – Dreaded “Spiky Income”
Underpayment of Taxes – Personal Returns – How to Avoid Penalties – Dreaded “Spiky Income” By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST Partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP One of the most frustrating issues taxpayers confront as they attempt to deal with their taxes is to determine the required amount and due dates for estimated tax…
Are You Ready for the 2014 Tax Year?
Are You Ready for the 2014 Tax Year? If you’re like most individuals or businesses then you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief as the 2013 tax year is finally in the rearview mirror, except for those who have filed for an extension, of course. Well, don’t get too comfortable; it’s time to start thinking…
6 Tips for Avoiding Digital Clutter
6 Tips for Avoiding Digital Clutter What is “Digital Clutter” and why do we need to avoid it? Although there isn’t a true definition for the phrase, we can define the term “clutter” and apply it to the digital world. “Clutter” is defined as a collection of things lying about in an untidy mess. Although…
Enduring Your Race
Enduring Your Race Every Year in Australia, an endurance race is held. It stretches from Sydney to Melbourne totaling 543.7 miles. For a world class athlete it takes five days to run. These athletes are young, professionally trained, and receive huge sponsorships Cliff Young was a very unlikely competitor in the race. At the age…