Learning Center
We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Prepare for Tax Season: Key Updates and Strategies for 2025

As tax season approaches, it’s crucial to begin organizing your financial documents for your upcoming tax appointment, whether it's in person, via videoconference, or by phone. The ease of this task largely hinges on your record-keeping habits throughout the year. Regardless of your record organization, thorough preparation enables us to:

  • Identify every possible legal deduction,

  • Determine the most beneficial income reporting methods and deductions for your situation,

  • Evaluate recent legal changes affecting your tax status, and

  • Discuss tax-planning strategies that could reduce future liabilities.

Image 1

New Tax Changes in 2025 – This year brings notable updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including:

  • No Tax on Tips: A deduction of up to $25,000 for qualified cash tips is available for customary tipped occupations, phasing out for singles over $150,000 and joint filers above $300,000 AGI. Employers will list these tips on a W-2 or separate statement in 2025.

  • No Tax on Qualified Overtime: A deduction up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) for qualifying overtime. The BAM phase begins at $150,000 for singles and $300,000 for married filers.

  • Vehicle Loan Interest Deduction: Taxpayers can deduct up to $10,000 in interest on loans tied to new personal-use vehicles, phasing out for certain income levels.

  • SALT Deduction Limit: Increased to $40,000, phasing down to $10,000 for higher earners above $500,000 MAGI.

  • Super Retirement Catch-Up: Individuals aged 60 to 63 can contribute significantly more to qualified plans starting in 2025.

  • Child Tax Credit: Raised to $2,200 ($1,700 refundable) for dependents under 17, with adjusted phase-out thresholds.

  • Adoption Credit: A new refundable component was added, with the credit standing at $17,280 for 2025.

Image 2

Optimizing Your Tax Planning – Your tax filing is more than numbers; it’s a careful choice of how income and deductions are managed. For instance:

  • Property Sales: Opt to report the entire gain in the sale year or spread it across multiple years.

  • Depreciation Options: Make strategic choices between deducting a business asset's full cost upfront or over its useful life.

Starting Your Tax Preparation – Begin collecting necessary records in early January, using an organized system to efficiently manage document receipt and ensure thorough preparedness when your appointment approaches. Electronic documents may need physical prints, unless otherwise advised by your tax advisor. For smooth processing:

  • Organize receipts and records by category—medical, mortgage, donations, etc. Complete any organizer or questionnaire from your CPA attentively.

  • Highlight foreign bank accounts, financial accounts, or trusts with your accountant.

  • Note cryptocurrency transactions and other digital assets, reported this year via Form 1099-DA.

Image 3

Accuracy and Updates – Ensure all personal information is current, from Social Security numbers to address changes. If your marital status changed, share details with your advisor for accurate filings. For those with dependents, confirm all qualifying information is ready, particularly for non-child dependents who may qualify under specific conditions.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully