In the?first article
?in this series, we discussed several things you might want to give some special attention to as we close the books on 2021: focusing on core holdings; taking another look at your saving and spending; and paying attention to your mutual fund distributions. Let’s look at a few more important points for consideration at year-end.
- Consider Tax Gain Harvesting.?Along with relatively strong year-to-date market performance, many Americans are also benefiting from historically lower capital gain and income tax rates that?may or may not
?last. Often, taxpayers view each tax season in isolation, seeking to minimize taxes owed that year. We prefer to view tax planning as a way to reduce your lifetime tax bill. Of course, we can’t know what your future taxes will be. But it can sometimes make good, big-picture sense to intentionally generate taxable income in years when tax rates seem favorable. Our Advice:?If you have “room” to take some taxable capital gains this year—and if it actually makes sense for you to take them—you may want to consider working with your tax planning team to do so.
- Seize the Day on Your Charitable Giving.?Unlike many other pandemic-inspired tax breaks, several?charitable-giving incentives
?still apply for 2021, but may not moving forward. This includes the ability for single/joint filers to deduct up to $300/$600 in cash contributions to qualified charities, even if they’re already taking the standard deduction on their tax return. If you’re so inclined, you also can still donate up to 100% of your AGI to qualified charities. Our Advice:?Charitable giving remains another timeless tactic for offsetting taxable capital gains you may want or need to report, as well as any other extra taxable income you may be incurring. And charitable organizations need our contributions as sorely as ever. So, if you’re charitably inclined, you may as well make the most of your generosity by pairing it with your 2021 tax planning.
- Plan Ahead for Estate Planning.?Holiday shoppers may not be the only ones facing supply chain shortages this year. Estate planning attorneys, CPAs, and similar planning professionals may also be in shorter supply toward year-end and beyond. In addition to the usual year-end crunch, many such service providers have been extra busy responding to a “COVID estate planning boom
,” as well as to the fast-paced action in Washington. Our Advice:?If you’ve been thinking about revisiting your estate or tax planning activities, know that the process may take longer than usual. Especially if you’re planning for changes that are up against a hard deadline (such as year-end or April 15th), you’ll benefit yourself by giving your attorney, accountant, and others the time they need to do their best work for you. High-end estate planning in particular is best approached as a months-long, if not years-long process.
How else can we help you wrap 2021 and position yourself and your wealth for the year ahead? As always, at Bernhardt Wealth Management, we stand ready to assist. If you have questions, please?contact us
.
Go to the Bernhardt Wealth Management?Blog
?where this was first published to read this and other blog entries.
About Gordon J. Bernhardt: President and founder of Bernhardt Wealth Management and author of Profiles in Success: Inspiration from Executive Leaders in the Washington D.C. Area, Gordon and his team provide financial planning and wealth management services to affluent individuals, families and business-owners throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Since establishing his firm in 1994, he and his team have been focused on providing high-quality service and independent, unbiased financial advice to help clients make informed decisions about their money. For more information, visit?Bernhardt Wealth Management
?and?Profiles in Success
.
