The end of the year is fast approaching, which means it’s time to start thinking about tax planning for the upcoming year. While no one likes paying taxes, certain tax planning strategies in Australia can help you minimize your tax bill.
If you are looking for ways to reduce your taxes, then read on! This article provides 4 smart tax planning strategies that you can use to your advantage. By implementing even just a few of these tips, you can save yourself a significant amount of money come tax time.
Maximize Your Retirement Account Contributions:
In most cases, the best way to reduce your tax bill is to increase your retirement savings contributions. Why? Because the money that goes into a 401(k) or IRA is tax-deferred, meaning you don’t have to pay taxes on it until you withdraw it in retirement.
If you contribute enough money each year and are in a lower tax bracket in retirement, then you may actually end up paying less in taxes than if you had not contributed at all!
And if you are an ex-pat who is saving to buy a home, then you must look out for Australian ex-pat tax advice.
Rebalance Portfolio Assets:
If your portfolio has gotten out of balance since last year, then now is the time to rebalance it back to your target allocation. This means selling off assets that have performed well and buying more of those that have underperformed — all with the goal of maintaining a long-term target portfolio mix between stocks and bonds.
The best time for rebalancing is during periods when markets are volatile because this allows investors to buy low and sell high (or vice versa).
Defer Income, Accelerate Deductions:
If you have any money coming in from investments or a side business, try to hold off on collecting those funds until next year. This will reduce your overall taxable income and help lower your tax bill. If you are self-employed, then you can also defer income by delaying when you take your quarterly estimated payments.
Donate to Charity:
Charitable donations are a great way to reduce your taxes. You can deduct charitable contributions from your taxes, which means you’ll be able to save more money for yourself. You can also take advantage of the charitable donation tax deduction. For example, if you donate $500 to a charity, you could potentially save up to $250 on your tax bill.
Conclusion:
Tax planning strategies in Australia are important because they can help you save money and maximize your tax return come tax time!
Related source: Investment Property Australia