Five Tips to help You Save On Your 2014 Income Tax Bill

Although there are still more than two months to go before we turn the page on the year 2014, the end of the tax year is still fast approaching. While it’s true that April 15 may seem like a long ways off, the fact is you only have those precious two months left to still do some tax saving on this year’s bill.
So whether you’re an early filer or you prefer to procrastinate until the deadline, now is the time to really start thinking about your 2014 taxes. To that end, here are a few suggestions to help you get prepared. First, contribute a little more to your retirement plan. By adding a few extra dollars to your retirement savings, you not only increase your overall amount, but you also decrease your taxable income at the same time.
Another helpful tip is to reposition your portfolio, which can help reduce your tax bill. You can do this by selling your poor performing stocks, which can offset the gains you make from your better performing stocks. Another way to reduce your tax bill is by giving more. Instead of giving more money to the IRS, reduce your taxable income by donating more to charity. It’s a win-win as you help those in need, and yourself, at the same time.
Meantime, make sure you don’t overlook possible tax credits, including the earned income credit, the child and dependent care credit, and the residential energy credit. Lastly, consider setting up a health savings account. These are great for helping you cover medical expenses now and for saving up money for the future.
Of course, you can also contact the professionals at GROCO for more tax savings ideas. Just call 1-877-CPA-2006 or click here to contact us online.
Tax Forms & Publications
Tax Forms & Publications The publications listed below are located on the IRS web site and require Adobe Acrobat to view. Visit the Adobe Web Site to install the latest version of Acrobat Reader. Publication 1 Your Rights As a Taxpayer Publication 3 Armed Forces’ Tax Guide Publication 15 Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide Publication…
Hall Of Laughter
Hall Of Laughter In memory of Steve Gardner 1958-2010 Thanks for the accounting humor and endless hours of laughter. We love you! Three Blind Mice Audit The IRS Agent uses a math joke in his audit of the three blind mice. Accounting Puppets 2 Puppets tell Accounting and Audit Jokes. Accounting Puppets Puppets tell Accounting…
The Roth Way to Riches
The Roth Way to Riches By Roy Lewis With all the recent tax-code changes, it seems a number of taxpayers have forgotten the Roth IRA. That’s a shame, because it’s far more than an ordinary retirement savings account. Roth IRAs are tax-favored accounts to which qualified taxpayers can make non-deductible, after-tax contributions. Those contributions can…
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Medicare legislation enacted in December 2003 provides for a prescription drug benefit that won’t exist until 2006. But also part of the new law is a provision that went into effect on January 1, 2004—the creation of the Health Savings Account (HSA). By opening an HSA, you may be allowed to…