Improve Next Year's Tax Situation Now!

Whether you receive a big refund or pay your taxes on tax day, taking action now can ensure next year’s tax bill is optimized by not paying a dollar more than necessary.

1. Update paycheck withholdings and forecast estimated tax payments. Reviewing and updating withholdings now gives you several months to spread out the tax impact on your daily finances. Adjust your paycheck withholdings using Form W-4 with your employer to either increase or decrease your anticipated refund. If you are self-employed, you can instead adjust your quarterly estimated payments. Other factors will change your 2023 tax liability, but using your 2022 refund or tax bill as a baseline to update withholdings is a good first step. Just make sure your withholdings will cover 90 percent of this year’s tax bill or you may be subject to an underpayment penalty.
2. Organize last year’s tax records. Create a file to hold your completed tax return, supporting schedules and documentation. Organize the file so it matches the flow of Form 1040 — put income documents first, followed by deductions, credits and estimated payments. Doing it this way allows for easy access to your records in the event of an audit. Once you finish with last year’s file, create a checklist of expected documents and a new file for 2023. This will help you keep track of your tax paperwork during the year and speed up the tax filing process in 2023.
3. Schedule a tax planning appointment. Midyear tax planning is essential to ensure the proper roadmap is in place to realize your tax goals. Using your 2022 tax return is a good starting point for your plan, but it’s not enough. Getting married or divorced, planning for retirement, having or adopting a child, buying a house, paying for college, starting a new job, or getting a raise are just some of the life changes that can dramatically change your tax situation.

Most of us want to forget the hassle of tax season as soon as the form is filed, but the savvy taxpayer uses this time to prepare and plan for a better tax result next year. Please call if you’d like assistance.

"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.  
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Mia Verc, CPA;  Janice Papais, CPA