Rather than waiting until you’ve fully retired and need to start chipping away at your nest egg, the time to start thinking about your taxes is now. By making a few adjustments to the way you save and spend, you can reduce the amount of taxes you’ll owe in retirement.
Here are a few tax saving tips to keep in mind:
Review your withholding
Make sure that you’re having the right amount of taxes withheld from your paychecks. Withholding too much means giving the government an interest-free loan; withholding too little could result in a big tax bill come April.
Consider a Roth IRA
With a Roth IRA, you contribute money that has already been taxed. That means that when you retire and start withdrawing from the account, you won’t owe any taxes on the withdrawals.
Take advantage of tax breaks
There are a number of tax breaks that you may be eligible for as a retiree. These include the senior citizen’s deduction, the disability tax credit, and the home renovation tax credit.
Invest in energy-efficient products
Energy-efficient appliances and green technologies can help you save money on your utility bills. You may also be eligible for a tax credit when you make these types of purchases.
Donate to charity
Charitable donations can reduce your taxable income. When you give to a qualified organization, you can deduct the amount of your donation on your tax return.
Defer income
You can defer income from pensions and annuities to reduce your taxable income in retirement. This allows you to spread out your income and reduce your tax bill in the process.
Save your receipts
If you itemize your deductions, be sure to hang on to your receipts throughout the year. This will make it easier to file your taxes come tax time.
Manage your investments
Consider selling losing investments to offset capital gains elsewhere in your portfolio. This can help reduce the amount of taxes you owe on your investment income.
Consult a tax professional
A tax advisor can help you navigate the tax code and take advantage of deductions and credits that you may be eligible for. This can help you reduce your tax bill and keep more of your money in retirement.
