What better way to celebrate Financial Planning Month than to focus on your financial health by implementing some helpful tips for October and beyond. Get a Head Start on Your Giving This Season If there are things you or your business have in excess or aren’t using, you can turn that excess into charitable donations. Not only is your generosity going to help those who need it, but if you donate to a 501(c)(3), you can often deduct at least part of the items’ worth on your taxes. The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better time to do a big inventory check of personal items like clothing, home furnishing, office supplies, and other equipment that many others may need in the new year. And the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2020 also raised the standard deduction for charitable giving to $12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for married couples. Take Advantage of All the Ways You Can Reduce Income Tax Reducing your taxable income is a great way to decrease your tax responsibilities, but many of the ways in which you can reduce it can also help set you up for financial success in the future. Retirement accounts and plans are essential to your financial health as you transition away from the workplace. And that transition is much easier when you have spent your whole working life contributing to your retirement. 401(k), 403(b), and traditional IRA accounts all offer different avenues toward a relaxing future. So why not increase your contribution as we head into the end of the tax year 2021? Health savings accounts (HSAs) give you a multitude of tax benefits, including tax-deductible contributions, tax-free earnings, and tax-free withdrawals. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offer similar benefits to HSAs. Allocating some of your money here can help you two-fold: you can prepare for the inevitable health expenses while also foregoing taxes. If you are interested in continuing your education, 529 plans are a great choice. With one, you …
Smart Ideas for Spending Your Tax Refund
As of May 6, the IRS reported they are holding 29 million tax returns, which means many Americans are still waiting for their refunds. So let’s talk about some smart ways to spend your refund when it comes. Invest in Your Side Hustle or New Business Many people created side hustles in 2020 or started thinking about starting that business they’ve been dreaming about. Why not make that refund money fuel for that dream? Investing your tax refund into a side business is a great way to diversify your income and start building up your new business! Focus on Your Debt Another great way to put your refund to work is to contribute a lump sum to one of your big loans or credit card bills. Paying down those debts with your refund can decrease the total amount of interest you’ll pay over the lifetime of that debt source. Put It in a Retirement Account Saving for retirement is always important, and after a year of income and job loss, it’s also a smart idea to take that refund and put it into a 401(k) or another retirement account. If you don’t have anything pressing that needs to be paid (big debts or upcoming expenses), putting that extra money into your future is always a solid plan. Put It toward Your House Saving for a home? Use that refund to increase your down payment amount. Looking to sell your home in the next few years? Take your refund and choose a home renovation project that you can put that money toward. Make Forward-Looking Investments There are tons of great options for investing in your future. This can include real estate, a tech startup, or stocks. It can also mean putting that money to use by spending it on products and services that either make your life easier or save you money in the long run. Update old appliances in your house – maybe you need a new refrigerator or air conditioning unit that is more energy-efficient. Research meal delivery kits that save you time and money on groceries, or purchase those big-ticket items that …
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