Post Tax Vote: What Every Taxpayer Should Do Today
Now that Congress has passed its tax overhaul plan, all taxpayers should do a simple math equation to determine whether they're likely to itemize in 2018. Knowing the answer (while you can still act before the end of the year) is key.
Congress has done its work to pass its tax plan, and now it’s time for financial planners to do theirs. This is so exciting for a guy like me to be able to help my clients figure out how to keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible.
The biggest thing to do right now is to figure out if you are likely to be itemizing your deductions in 2018. For most people the answer will be “NO.”
If your itemized deductions are less than the new 2018 standard deduction ($12,000 for single or $24,000 for married filing jointly) then you will be better off for tax year 2018 to take the standard deduction. If that’s new for you, then make sure to consider moving your deductible payments for 2018 to 2017 by making those payments before Dec. 29 (the last business day of the year).
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
So, for millions of people who used to itemize, they will have a much simpler tax return come 2018 due to the tax overhaul, which Congress approved on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, and sent to President Trump to sign into law.
The main items that make up your itemized deductions include:
- State & local income tax
- Property tax
- Mortgage interest
- Charitable contributions
In 2018 and beyond, your combined state & local tax and property tax itemized deduction is limited to a TOTAL of $10,000. For people who live in states with very high property taxes and a state income tax, that’s a huge blow. Probably another reason to move to a low-tax state.
How do you know if you will keep itemizing?
How to calculate your 2018 standard deduction on the back of a napkin:
Property Tax + State & Local tax (Maximum of $10,000)
+ Mortgage interest
+ Charitable contributions
= If that totals less than your standard deduction, you would simply use the standard deduction. So SIMPLE.
On the surface that looks bad for many of us, because we are losing our larger itemized deduction amount, therefore, if your income was identical you would assume you would owe more in income tax. The reason that will not be the case for many people is that the tax rates have been lowered across the board.
Before looking at the rates and brackets; the point of doing this calculation right now is that you should consider bunching your deductions in 2017 if you won’t be able to use them in 2018!
Check out this income tax calculator for an estimate of your future income tax burden:
If after doing the calculation above you figure that you will no longer be itemizing your deductions, then you may want to find a way to make these moves before Dec. 29, 2017, to get itemized deductions for the 2017 tax year:
-
Timeless Trips for Solo TravelersHow to find a getaway that suits your style.
-
A Top Vanguard ETF Pick Outperforms on International StrengthA weakening dollar and lower interest rates lifted international stocks, which was good news for one of our favorite exchange-traded funds.
-
Is There Such a Thing As a Safe Stock? 17 Safe-Enough IdeasNo stock is completely safe, but we can make educated guesses about which ones are likely to provide smooth sailing.
-
Missed Your RMD? 4 Ways to Avoid Doing That Again (and Skip the IRS Penalties), From a Financial PlannerIf you miss your RMDs, you could face a hefty fine. Here are four ways to stay on top of your payments — and on the right side of the IRS.
-
What Really Happens in the First 30 Days After Someone Dies (and Where Families Get Stuck)The administrative requirements following a death move quickly. This is how to ensure your loved ones won't be plunged into chaos during a time of distress.
-
AI-Powered Investing in 2026: How Algorithms Will Shape Your PortfolioAI is becoming a standard investing tool, as it helps cut through the noise, personalize portfolios and manage risk. That said, human oversight remains essential. Here's how it all works.
-
A Newly Retired Couple With a Portfolio Full of Winners Faced a $50,000 Tax Bill: This Is the Strategy That Helped Save ThemLarge unrealized capital gains can create a serious tax headache for retirees with a successful portfolio. A tax-aware long-short strategy can help.
-
5 Retirement Myths to Leave Behind (and How to Start Planning for the Reality)Separating facts from fiction is an important first step toward building a retirement plan that's grounded in reality and not based on incorrect assumptions.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: Silence Is Golden, But It Hurts Your Heirs More Than You ThinkTalking to heirs about transferring wealth can be overwhelming, but avoiding it now can lead to conflict later. Here's how to start sharing your plans.
-
Will Your Children's Inheritance Set Them Free or Tie Them Up?An inheritance can mean extraordinary freedom for your loved ones, but could also cause more harm than good. How can you ensure your family gets it right?
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is the Real Key to Enjoying Retirement With ConfidenceA resilient retirement plan is a flexible framework that addresses income, health care, taxes and investments. And that means you should review it regularly.
