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Prepare Now: Tax Season Is Approaching Fast

As the fiscal year draws to a close, the anticipation of tax season begins to mount, bringing with it the inevitably daunting task of collating your financial records. If you align with most taxpayers, you understand the stress of gathering necessary documentation for your tax preparation meeting—whether conducted in person, via videoconference, or over the phone. The intricate nature of this process varies greatly depending on the thoroughness of your record maintenance throughout the year. Regardless of your organizational prowess, arriving comprehensively prepared will facilitate our ability to:

  • Identify every potential deduction allowable by law,

  • Determine the optimal income reporting methods and applicable deductions tailored to your financial situation,

  • Analyze how recent legislative changes impact your tax standing, and

  • Discuss strategic tax-planning initiatives to minimize your future tax burden.

Major Changes for 2025 – The impending One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces several pivotal modifications, including:

  • No Tax on Tips: Eligibility for a deduction of up to $25,000 on qualified cash tips for traditional tip-based roles. This deduction reduces as AGI exceeds $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers, decrementing by $100 per $1,000 over. Both itemizers and standard deduction filers can leverage this benefit with appropriate reporting on employee W-2s or a separate statement due to be filed in 2025.

  • No Tax on Qualified Overtime: Taxpayers can claim up to $12,500 ($25,000 for married couples) based on overtime earnings that input exceeds regular pay rates. The phase-out threshold starts at $150,000 MAGI for singles and $300,000 for joint filers.

  • Vehicle Loan Interest Deduction: A deduction of $10,000 in interest for loans post-2024 related to personal-use vehicles defined under specific weight criteria and U.S. assembly, with phased-out limitations based on income.

  • SALT Deduction Limit: An increased itemized deduction for state and local taxes, now up to $40,000, phasing down for incomes exceeding $500,000.

  • Super Retirement Catch Up: Enhanced catch-up contributions for individuals ages 60-63, allowing significant increments in contributions to retirement plans.

  • Child Tax Credit & Adoption Credit: Noteworthy increases and new refundability provisions, benefitting a broad range of taxpayers.

  • Section 179 Expensing & Bonus Depreciation: Extended expensing provisions to promote immediate investment deduction, with increased thresholds and permanence in bonus depreciation.

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Make Informed Choices – The tax landscape offers numerous means to optimize your income and expense representations on your returns. Your strategic decisions not just influence the current fiscal year but also set a precedent for future filings. Key areas to consider include:

  • Properties and Investments: Manage sales gains from property transactions over time, explore depreciation options for business investments, and navigate gains from reinvested dividends to maximize tax benefits.

Get Ahead – Establish your organizational approach in January to ensure seamless preparation. Create a secure space for storing financial documentation, either as physical copies or digital backups, and routinely categorize them by income and expenditure. Completing a comprehensive tax organizer is imperative to identifying potential omissions in transactions.

Must-Notice Scenarios: Notify us if you have international financial ties, make cryptocurrency transactions, or possess intricate tax documents such as new home purchases or energy credits. Timely awareness of these factors can influence critical tax strategies, and missing such elements could result in missed opportunities or penalties.

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Accuracy is Crucial – Double-check all personal details, including Social Security and any potential changes to your marital status, especially in the context of dependents. Preparing ahead to provide detailed data facilitates accuracy in filing and maximizes eligible deductions.

Unique Transactions – Pay attention to transactions requiring special tax attention, such as asset sales or major life events. If you suspect additional documentation is necessary, contact our firm promptly to elaborate on the requisites.

Our expertise at NR CPAs & Business Advisors ensures that your transition into the 2025 tax season remains diligent and proactive. Should you require clarity or assistance in compiling your tax data, do not hesitate to reach out. Image 1

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