Why it’s time to start tax planning for 2016
This article organizes the original guidance on why it’s time to start tax planning for 2016 into clear sections for easier reading and reference.
Overview
This opening section presents the main context from the original post.
Now that the April 18 income tax filing deadline has passed, it may be tempting to set aside any thought of taxes until year end is approaching. But for maximum tax savings, now is the time to start tax planning for 2016.
More opportunities
This section keeps the original guidance focused on more opportunities.
A tremendous number of variables affect your overall tax liability for the year. Starting to look at these variables early in the year can give you more opportunities to reduce your 2016 tax bill.
For example, the timing of income and deductible expenses can affect both the rate you pay and when you pay. By regularly reviewing your year-to-date income, expenses and potential tax, you may be able to time income and expenses in a way that reduces, or at least defers, your tax liability.
In other words, tax planning shouldn’t be just a year-end activity.
More certainty
This section keeps the original guidance focused on more certainty.
In recent years, planning early has been a challenge because there were a lot of expired tax breaks where it was uncertain whether they’d be extended for the year. But the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act) extended a wide variety of tax breaks through 2016, or, in some cases, later.
It also made many breaks permanent.
For example, the PATH Act made permanent the deduction for state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes and tax-free IRA distributions to charities for account holders age 70½ or older. So you don’t have to wait and see whether these breaks will be available for the year like you did in 2014 and 2015.
Getting started
This section keeps the original guidance focused on getting started.
To get started on your 2016 tax planning, contact us. We can discuss what strategies you should be implementing now and throughout the year to minimize your tax liability.
Related Resources
These resources connect the article topic with related Bowers service pages and approved professional reading.
FAQ
The questions below summarize the main points already covered in the article.
What is the main focus of Why it’s time to start tax planning for 2016?
The article focuses on why it’s time to start tax planning for 2016 and organizes the original guidance into sections for easier review.
What topics does the article cover first?
The article begins with more opportunities and then continues through the remaining points in the original post.
Which additional areas are included?
Additional sections include more certainty, getting started.
Does the post include action items or reminders?
Yes. The original post includes listed items that have been kept in list format for easier scanning.
Was the original post wording changed?
The revision keeps the author wording and updates the structure so the post is easier to read online.