There's No Advantage to Last-Minute Tax Return Filing
Sarah B
If you requested an extension to file your tax return after the April 15, 2025, due date, the extended deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 15. If you have the information you need, consider filing now. There’s no advantage to waiting, and last-minute filing may lead to stress and worry.
If you’re concerned about paying any tax owed, the IRS offers short- and long-term payment plans, as well as installment agreements, to taxpayers who qualify. It’s important to act quickly if you owe because any amount that was due April 15 accrues interest until the balance is paid. So, as soon as possible, gather your 2024 tax year records and contact the office for a tax preparation appointment or to ask questions you may have.
Our regularly updated newsletter provides timely articles to help you achieve your financial goals. Please come back and visit often. Feature Articles Clean Vehicle Credits Expire September 30 Should You Be Making Estimated Payments? The Quirky Math of Partnership Income Tax Tips Timing a Roth IRA Conversion There's No Advantage to Last-Minute Tax Return Filing Bonus Depreciation Gets a Reprieve Upcoming Tax Due Dates
First-year bonus depreciation had been phasing down 20 percentage points annually since 2023 and was set to drop to 0% in 2027. Businesses have been eager to learn the fate of this popular depreciation-related tax break. The good news is that the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent 100% first-year bonus depreciation for the cost of qualified new and used assets acquired and placed in service after Jan.19, 2025. If you’d been holding off on investing in qualified assets such as office furniture, equipment and off-the-shelf computer software because 2025 bonus depreciation had been only 40%, you may want to move ahead now. Remember, assets must not just be acquired but also be placed in service by Dec. 31 for you to claim 100% bonus depreciation on your 2025 calendar year tax return. Contact the office to learn about these and other business-related tax provisions in the law.
Now might be a good time for some taxpayers to convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Traditional IRA withdrawals are taxed and, if taken early, may be subject to penalties. Also, required minimum distributions (RMDs) must be taken starting at age 73 (or 75 if you won’t turn 73 until after 2032). But qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are tax-free, you can access Roth contributions anytime tax- and penalty-free, and there are no RMDs for Roth accounts. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth can allow you to turn tax-deferred future growth into tax-free growth and take advantage of a Roth IRA’s other benefits. But, taxes are due on the converted amount. If your traditional IRA’s value has dropped due to market volatility or you’re in a lower-than-usual tax bracket this year, your tax bill on a conversion will be lower. Ideally, pay taxes with non-IRA funds to preserve future tax-free growth potential. Conversions work best if you don’t need the money soon, giving it time to grow. You can even spread conversions across multiple years to reduce the tax impact. A Roth conversion can be a smart move, but it’s not for everyone. Contact the office to explore your options.