Year-End Deadlines You Can’t Afford to Miss

As we close out the year, this is the time to make every financial decision count. The last few weeks of the year can have a big impact on how well-positioned you are for 2026 and without realizing it, the window for many opportunities closes fast.

Here is my year-end checklist to help you finish strong and set yourself up for success:

• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

If you are at RMD age or inherited an IRA, make sure your distributions are taken care of before December 31. We have been proactively helping clients manage this and you do not want to let it slip through the cracks.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

If you want to give and get a tax benefit at the same time, plan your QCDs now. Remember, 2025’s limits are higher and transfers need to post before year-end to count for this tax year.

• Charitable Deductions and Smart Gifting

If you plan to itemize, consider donating appreciated stock or using a donor-advised fund to bunch your gifts and preserve tax advantages.

• Estate and Family Gifting

Take advantage of the annual gift exclusion at $19,000 per person in 2025. This includes larger 529 contributions, which is ideal for long-term legacy and education planning.

• Max Out Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Double-check your 401(k), IRA, or HSA contributions. If you are eligible for catch-up contributions, now is the time to make them.

• Tax-Loss Harvesting and Roth Conversions

We actively monitor opportunities throughout the year, but if you hold additional taxable accounts, review them. Strategic loss harvesting and timely Roth conversions can be powerful moves when coordinated correctly.

• Estimated Taxes and Withholding

If you had a big sale, bonus, or conversion this year, confirm your withholding or estimated payments so there are no surprises in April.

• Beneficiaries and Documents

Your life changes and your documents should too. Review beneficiary forms, powers of attorney, and directives before year-end to ensure everything aligns with your intentions.

• Insurance and Liquidity Check

Now is also the time to review life, disability, and long-term care coverage and confirm you have the right amount of cash on hand for the new year.

The Bottom line

Every decision you make between now and December 31 matters. Don’t leave money, tax savings, or opportunities on the table.

If you want to make sure your year-end strategy is working for you, not against you, let’s connect and review your plan before the year closes.