Please note the information below is intended to provide generalized information that is appropriate in certain situations.  It is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the receipient, for the purpose of avoiding federal tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.  The contents of the information provided below should not be acted upon without specific professional guidance.  Please call us if you have any questions.

Recently, year-end tax planning has been challenging. Many tax code provisions expired, and it was uncertain whether they would be renewed, with Congress’ action potentially not coming until extremely late in the year.

            Things are different in 2016. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 was signed into law late last year, not only renewing some expired benefits but making them permanent. Other expired tax provisions were extended for multiple years.

            Therefore, relatively few tax planning issues will be up in the air as the calendar turns to the fourth quarter of 2016. You’ll know, for example, that state and local sales tax can be deducted, instead of state and local income tax, if that’s a better choice. If you’re older than age 70½, or nearing that age, you can make philanthropic plans with the assurance that charitable donations directly from IRAs are permissible.

            The increased assurance that certain tax benefits will be available makes year-end planning more effective.   Keep in mind that the November elections have yet to be decided, as of this writing. We will have a new president in 2017, changes in Congress, and the likelihood that revisions in tax law will be proposed. Therefore, you should end 2016 with a plan to use current tax benefits, including those deemed to be “permanent,” while they’re available.