I know what you’re thinking.  “Tax planning? Joe, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  It isn’t even November yet!!”

But here’s the deal: by the time you’re carving the turkey and trying to remember which grandkid hates mashed potatoes, it’s too late to make the smart moves that can really impact your tax bill.

The last few weeks of the year are chaotic. Between holiday shopping, family travel, and a cookie tray at every turn, nobody’s in the mood to talk about 1099s or charitable deductions. That’s why I like to get ahead of it. If we sit down now, we can make sure you enter the holidays confident that your financial year is buttoned up tighter than Santa’s belt.

So what does that actually mean? A few things:

1. Review your gains and losses.
   If you sold investments this year, you might have realized gains. Offsetting those with smartly timed losses — called tax-loss harvesting — can help reduce what you owe. But this only works beforeDecember 31st, not while you’re watching the ball drop.
2. Max out your retirement contributions.
   Your 401(k), IRA, or HSA might have room left. That’s real money that can lower your taxable income — but the window closes with the year. Another option is to look at converting your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
3. Consider charitable giving.
   If giving back is part of your plan, let’s make sure it’s done in the most tax-efficient way possible. Donating appreciated stock, for example, can give you double the benefit.
4. Review your withholdings and estimated payments.
   Nobody likes a surprise tax bill in April. A quick check now can keep that from happening.

Here’s the bottom line: if we take care of this stuff today, you won’t have to think about it while wrapping gifts or arguing about whether “Die Hard” counts as a Christmas movie (it does, by the way).

Let’s talk now — so when the holidays hit, you can focus on what really matters: family, friends, and maybe just one more cookie.

Please contact us through the contact page HERE, directly to Joe Lind at jlind@dinergywealth.com or call Joe at 513-878-0195. Remember, we focus on growth – done RESPONSIBLY.