{"id":94,"date":"2010-01-19T21:21:00","date_gmt":"2010-01-19T21:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stevendevtest.wordpress.com\/2010\/01\/19\/three-ways-to-reduce-your-2009-tax-bill-in-2010"},"modified":"2010-01-19T21:21:00","modified_gmt":"2010-01-19T21:21:00","slug":"three-ways-to-reduce-your-2009-tax-bill-in-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vhfinancialmanagement.com\/2010\/01\/19\/three-ways-to-reduce-your-2009-tax-bill-in-2010","title":{"rendered":"Three Ways to Reduce Your 2009 Tax Bill in 2010."},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s that time of year again! Tax documents are arriving by mail and the race towards April 15th is on. What many folks don\u2019t fully understand is the fact that while 2009 is over and gone, there are still things we can do to reduce our tax liability for last year. Here\u2019s a list of a few things you can do now that might reduce your tax bill for 2009.<\/p>\n

1. Take full advantage of available tax credits.
<\/strong>The government offers taxpayers an array of credits. Remember that credits are a dollar for dollar reduction in tax liability as compared to a tax deduction, which will reduce your taxable income. In short, tax credits are preferable to tax deductions. While some credits are phased out by income, such as the child tax credit, other credits are not phased out by income, such as the residential energy credit.
Below is a list of popular credits that often get overlooked:
\u2022 Residential Energy Credit. Taxpayers can use this credit for improvements to a principle residence that creates an increase in energy efficiency. I.e. Installation of a tankless hot water heater.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. The government will give you a tax credit if you purchased an alternative fuel vehicle, such as a hybrid automobile.<\/p>\n

\u2022 First Time Homebuyers Credit. This credit has certainly made the headlines. If you purchased a home in 2009, you may be eligible for a tax credit that could save you tax dollars.<\/p>\n

\u2022 American Education Opportunity Tax Credit. This credit extends the credit formerly known as the Hope credit. If you sent a child to college in 2009, this credit might be for you!<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dependent and Child Care Credit. This credit is available for working tax payers with dependents that require care during working hours. There are several requirements and regulations with this credit, but it is certainly worth the effort, if applicable.<\/p>\n

The above list is only a portion of available credits. It is beyond the scope of this article to explore the entire list. It is important to discuss the applicability of tax credits with your tax professional. It could save you big bucks!<\/p>\n

2. Maximize Retirement Contributions.
<\/strong>Did you know that the government will subsidize your retirement? That\u2019s right, through tax deductions the government effectively is subsidizing your retirement. Many personal retirement accounts allow contributions up until April 15th, and those contributions can apply to 2009. A few even allow contributions as late of Oct 15th, 2010 while applying towards the 2009 tax return.<\/p>\n

Contributions into tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as IRAs, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRAs reduce current taxable income; therefore reducing tax liability. For example, a couple in the 25% tax bracket who can make an allowable Traditional IRA contribution of $10,000 could save $2500 or more. That\u2019s a 25% return on investment before this money is even invested! Best of all, this contribution can be made as late as April 15th.<\/p>\n

There are a multitude of rules and regulations regarding allowable retirement contributions and deadlines, so it\u2019s imperative to speak with a tax professional before making a decision.<\/p>\n

3. Review Itemized Deductions.
<\/strong>Schedule A (Itemized Deductions) is a common area for mistakes and omissions. In my experience, I have seen mistakes and omissions on this form due to a lack of effort from the taxpayer. For example, many people leave tax dollars on the table when it comes to charitable deductions. Charitable deductions can help reduce taxable income and ultimately decrease your tax bill.<\/p>\n

Here are a few other areas that are often overlooked.
\u2022 Charitable Mileage. A deduction is allowable for qualifying charitable mileage. For example, if you drive to a local Goodwill to drop off items, the mileage to and from is deductible.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sales Taxes. In 2009 there are a couple ways to deduct sales taxes paid for automobile purchases. Depending on the state in which you live, this deduction can save you several hundred dollars or more. Let your tax preparer know if you purchased a vehicle in 2009.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Non-cash Charitable Contributions. Organizations such as Goodwill perform a great service to our communities. It\u2019s important to properly substantiate non-cash contributions to maximize deductibility. Make sure to always get a receipt from the organization, create an itemized list of items being donated, and do not forget to properly value the items being donated to fully substantiate these types of donations. There are several documents available to assist taxpayers in determining the donated value of each item, including one on Goodwill\u2019s website. It\u2019s worth the additional effort.<\/p>\n

This is another area where a good tax preparer can come in handy. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for assistance from your preparer when it comes to properly valuing your donated items. Also, make sure to keep up with your mileage as well!<\/p>\n

\u2022 Utilize Miscellaneous Items Deductions. Miscellaneous itemized deductions are subject to a 2% floor of adjusted gross income. This means in order to get a deduction you must produce deductions greater than 2% of your adjusted gross income.<\/p>\n

The number of employees working from home has increased in the past few years. An office in the home of an employed taxpayer is a fine example of a miscellaneous itemized deduction. Tax preparation fees, financial planning, unreimbursed employee expenses, and investment expenses are a few more examples of miscellaneous itemized deductions.<\/p>\n

Most Taxpayers don\u2019t have the time and energy to fully understand all the available deductions, credits, and retirement contribution options available. The key to properly handling one of the largest recurring expenses (taxes) in anyone\u2019s financial world is by implementing a proactive tax strategy. But, even with good tax planning, numbers can change and life can get in the way. When that occurs, the above options allow taxpayers another chance to reduce their tax liability.<\/p>\n

I utilize integral tax planning for my clients. I feel this areas is one of the most important (if not the most important) part of the financial planning puzzle. Taxes can touch and impact (both positively and negatively) many aspects of our financial world, so it\u2019s important to manage our tax liability. It\u2019s important that taxpayers work closely with tax preparers.<\/p>\n

I am a firm believer in holistic financial planning, which includes proactive tax planning. If you are searching for a holistic financial planner in your area, The Alliance of Cambridge Advisors (ACA) is a great place to start. ACA advisors integrate taxes into financial planning, which is an enormous benefit to clients. You can find more info and search for an advisor near you at www.acaplanners.com .<\/p>\n

In full disclosure, Troy Von Haefen is a member of The Alliance of Cambridge Advisors.
Any of the above information is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be considered tax advice or implemented as such.
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