Wait, you thought I meant the holidays?
Ha. As much as I love Andy Williams, what I REALLY mean is tax planning season. That is to say, year-end moves. 🙂
And next week, I’ll give you some generalized moves you can make that can affect your tax bill (in positive ways only).
But the real reason I get excited about this month is that the inevitability of the calendar turning is upon us — we’re in the final month — and little alarm bells should be going off for you that there ain’t much time left to get ahead of the game.
(And yes, I said “ain’t”. I’m a tax pro, not an English major.)
You see, because as much as we enjoy unlocking the puzzle of forms, statements and spreadsheets that form the tax preparation process, what actually revs our engines is the feeling we get when the advice we’re able to offer, and the plans we craft, make a big bottom-line difference in the lives of our San Diego clients.
Which might mean the difference between taking a vacation this year … or not. Or more, better gifts for the children over the holidays. Or maybe just that much more saved for college, retirement and weddings (my favorite).
This is the time to make and execute tax planning strategies for the end of 2018. So, take a moment to answer the questions below and email us your answers by using the email button at the top of the page. We’ll get back to you if there’s something you can do this month that would make a difference, or have you set a time to chat directly with us.
So, again, this isn’t our “official” tax preparation questionnaire, it’s simply designed to help us figure out if we can do something before year-end to make a real difference … before we can’t anymore. Please email us your answers to the below questions by clicking the email button at the top of the page.
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1) Have you had a significant change in your wage (or non-wage) income this year?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
2) Have you taken capital gains or losses this year? Are you planning to?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
3) Did you start or sell a business this year?
BONUS QUESTION: Do you know anyone who did, that would like input on their tax situation?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
4) Did you purchase real estate?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
5) Did you make your full contributions to retirement accounts?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
6) Have you considered a Roth IRA?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
7) Did you withdraw from retirement accounts, and for what purpose?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
**8) Have you sent your family and friends our way — and, if not, is there a way we can make this easier?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
9) Are there any other tax or financial (or other) issues you think we should know about?
<Put YOUR answer here in your email reply>
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Now — your answers to these questions form the “tip of the iceberg”, and they will help us to know which direction to take as we work with you over the next month to prepare for year-end. With your permission, we’ll contact you back, as appropriate, and set up a time to discuss them further with you, whether by phone or other method.
Hope to see you in here soon…
Darryl A. Hale, EA, MBA, MST
(858) 549-9666
Top Hat Tax & Financial Services