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The end of the year is busy with holidays and family vacations – but it's also a time to review your finances and what you need to do, offset, claim, buy or pay before deadlines pass. Our checklist helps you gauge what you need to do before 2018 comes to a close.
Fund Health Savings Account (HSA)
Those in high-deductible health-insurance plans can put away as much as $3,400 before taxes. For families, the figure is $6,900. However, individuals aged 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000, increasing the limit to $4,400 (individual) and $7,900 (family)1.
Spend Flex Dollars
Unused funds in Flexible Spending Accounts are typically forfeited at year's end, so make sure to tap them for eligible health- and-medical expenses by December 31. Check with your employer to confirm your plan's deadlines, as some plans don't follow the calendar year. There are two exceptions that may apply: FSA regulation provides for either a maximum of $500 to roll over (the amount may vary from plan to plan); or, a 2½ month grace period to use the carryover portion. Plan sponsors may only offer one or the other. Check with your sponsor to find out3.
Reduce Capital Gains Taxes
Any capital losses you realize before December 31 can be used to offset your gains. If your net losses exceed your gains, you can offset an additional $3,000 of ordinary income; any losses beyond that limit can be carried forward to future tax years2. This is known as “Tax Loss Harvesting.”
Take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
If you're 70½ or older, you're required by the IRS to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from certain retirement accounts by December 31 – or face a penalty equal to 50% of the sum you failed to withdraw. If you turned 70½ this year, you have until April 1, 2019, to take your first RMD.
Contribute to a 529 Plan
Such contributions must be made before the end of 2018 in order to take advantage of any state-income-tax benefits (or to be eligible for the federal gift-tax exclusion of $15,000 per donor, per individual donated to). For instance, in 2018 a mother and father could each gift $15,000 to their child, equaling $30,000 total, without incurring gift taxes4.
Questions?
Financial advisors* with BECU Investment Services are here to help. Click here to set up a complimentary consultation or call 206-439-5720.
1 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/irs-allows-higher-retirement-savings-account-limits-in-2018/
2 IRS Publication 505
3IRS Publication 502
4 IRS Publication 559
*Financial Advisors are registered with, and Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance Products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. BECU and BECU Investment Services are not registered broker/dealers and are not affiliated with LPL Financial. Investments are:
The LPL Financial Registered Representatives associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of all 50 states.
BECU Investment Services Corporate Office located at 12770 Gateway Dr., Tukwila, WA 98168. BECU, BECU Investment Services and LPL Financial are separate entities.