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Essential Tax Updates and Preparations for 2025

As the tax season approaches, many taxpayers find themselves facing the daunting task of organizing their financial documents in preparation for tax filing, whether via in-person meetings, video conferences, or phone calls. The effort required largely depends on the quality of your record-keeping throughout the year. Regardless of your organizational prowess, being thoroughly prepared helps maximize our time together for:

  • Maximizing every possible legal deduction,

  • Evaluating the best income reporting strategies and applicable deductions,

  • Navigating the latest legal updates impacting your tax status, and

  • Exploring tax-planning options to potentially minimize future liabilities.

2025 Tax Updates – Significant changes have been introduced this year, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Here are some major highlights:

  • Tax-Free Tips: Qualified cash tips can now be deducted up to $25,000 within customary tip-based professions. This benefit phases out with an AGI over $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for joint filers, decreasing by $100 for each additional $1,000 earned. Employers will report these tips on the W-2 forms, or a separate statement for 2025.

  • Overtime Tax Deduction: Taxpayers can deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for married couples filing jointly) for overtime pay exceeding the regular rate. It phases out with MAGIs over $150,000 for singles and $300,000 for joint filers, reducing by $100 for every additional $1,000 earned.

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    Interest on Vehicle Loans: Individuals may deductible interest up to $10,000 on loans secured by personal-use vehicles purchased post-2024. This excludes family loans and non-personal vehicles. Income-based phase-outs apply.

  • SALT Deduction Increase: The limit for state and local taxes (SALT) deductions has risen to $40,000, but higher income taxpayers will see gradual phase-downs starting at $500,000 MAGI.

  • Expanded Retirement Catch Up: For individuals aged 60-63, catch-up contributions have increased, allowing them to contribute more to retirement savings plans.

  • Child Tax Credit: The OBBBA has elevated credit amounts to $2,200, with $1,700 refundable, for dependents under 17.

Strategizing Optimal Tax Decisions – Tax law offers various methods for handling income and deductions. Your choices during return preparation can influence both current and future years. Key situations to consider include:

  • Property Sales – Options exist to report gains either at the point of sale or as payments are received.

  • Depreciation – The choice between depreciating investments over several years or claiming them in one year depends on your situation.

Preparation Tips – Start gathering your tax documents in January, regardless of how you plan to meet. Setup a dedicated storage location—a file drawer or safe, for example—to keep records organized. Print out electronic statements when necessary, unless otherwise advised. Additional suggestions include:

  • Sort records into categories, such as medical expenses or mortgage interest.

  • Inform us of any foreign accounts or assets to meet special reporting requirements.

  • Monitor cryptocurrency transactions and report them like stock transactions.

Dealing with Specific Scenarios – Certain situations require particular attention on your tax return:

  • Stock or Property Sales: Document every sale with purchase and sale details.

  • Charitable Donations: Substantiate every donation with appropriate records.

  • Vehicle Expenses for Business: Provide detailed travel and mileage logs.

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