Expiring tax opportunities to consider before year end

Overview

While many taxpayers consider possible future tax policy changes that may result from the recent federal elections, they should also turn their attention to certain current year tax provisions affecting individuals that will expire at the end of 2020. Taxpayers should consider planning for these changes before year-end.

The following highlights a few of the most prominent 2020 expiring year-end opportunities to consider:

• Deduct up to 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income for qualified charitable contributions,
• Penalty waiver for certain early withdrawal from certain retirement accounts relating to coronavirus-related distributions,
• Loss limitations modified for certain businesses,
• Net operating losses (NOLs) carrybacks extended and 80% limitation temporarily removed, and
• Deductible business interest expense increase.

Each of these expiring provisions may provide a savings opportunity for taxpayers if necessary actions are taken before January 1, 2021.

The takeaway

Individuals should consider the impact that the above provisions will have on their calculation of their tax liabilities. Opportunities exist before year-end to make additional contributions to public charities, take IRA distributions to help with the costs associated with Covid-19, defer required minimum distributions, recognize excess business losses, carryback net operating losses, file for a tentative refund, or deduct excess business interest expense.