Tax Savings Tips in the Final Hour
April 15th is approaching quickly, but there is still time to take action and reduce tax liabilities before the deadline. Here are three ideas to consider:
1) Max out your HSA
A health savings account (HSA) is used to pay for qualifying medical expenses. Maxing out an HSA is one of the easiest, but often overlooked, ways to reduce your taxes. HSAs have a triple tax benefit: 1) contributions are tax deductible, 2) earnings grow tax deferred, 3) distributions at any age are tax free – if used to pay for qualifying medical expenses.
To be eligible to contribute to an HSA, you must be covered by a high deductible health plan (HDHP). Learn more about what health insurance plans qualify as a HDHP here.
The HSA contribution limit for 2021 is $3,600 for self-coverage, and $7,200 for family coverage. If you’re 55 or older, an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution is permitted.
If your employer contributes to your HSA on your behalf, then it is important to remember the contribution limit above is a combination of your contributions, as well as your employer’s contributions to your account. The employer contribution amount is reported on your W2, box 12, code W. Reference the limits above, check your employer’s contribution from your W2, and the net amount is the additional amount you can contribute by April 15th.
HSAs are not a “use it or lose it” account like FSAs (flexible spending account). An HSA is yours forever. Additionally, once you turn 65 (when you become eligible for Medicare) you can use your HSA for any reason and avoid the 20% penalty. However, you will owe income tax on the distribution if it is used for non-health related expenses. Essentially, once you are 65 or older, non-health expense related distributions from your HSA are taxed the same as your pre-tax retirement accounts.
You can open an HSA at most banks, or through an HSA administrator like Health Equity, Optum, Fidelity, etc.
2) Contribute to your SEP
A simplified employee pension (SEP IRA) is a type of business retirement savings account often used by self-employed individuals.
A self-employed individual can contribute up to 25% of net self-employment income to an SEP. The max contribution for 2021 is $58,000.
Two points of caution with an SEP:
- Unlike a 401(k), Roth, IRA, etc., SEPs do not allow age 50+ catch-up contributions. Technically, SEPs are funded with employer contributions only. There are no employee deferrals to an SEP, so the catch-up provision is not allowed.
- If you contribute to a SEP and have employees eligible to participate in the plan, then you are on the hook to contribute the same percentage to their SEP that you put into your SEP. For example, if you contribute the maximum 25% of your net self employed income to your SEP, then you must also contribute 25% of your eligible employees’ compensation to their SEPs as well. In this example, if your total employee payroll expense is $100,000, then you would be responsible to make a $25,000 contribution to your employees’ accounts.
3) Contribute to your IRAs
Traditional individual retirement account (IRA) contributions can be considered pre-tax and may reduce your taxable income. With the passage of the SECURE Act, there is no longer an age limit on IRA contributions. Therefore, anyone with earned income can contribute to an IRA. Whether or not you can deduct the contribution is determined by your personal situation.
Determine your eligibility for an IRA deduction:
You are covered by a retirement plan at work
You are NOT covered by a retirement plan at work
If you are ineligible to take a deduction for an IRA contribution, or if you prefer to pay the taxes now, consider contributing to a Roth IRA. Roth IRAs are made with “after-tax” contributions and will not reduce your current tax liability. However, ALL distributions after age 59 ½ are tax free. Check to see if you are eligible to contribute directly to a Roth here.
The 2021 maximum IRA contribution is $6,000 per person ($7,000 if 50 or older at any point in 2021). Remember, this is per person. So, a married couple could each contribute these amounts.
All the accounts listed above can be established up to the 2021 tax filing deadline – April 15th, 2021. You have until April 15th to open an account and make your contributions. However, if you make a contribution in 2022 for 2021 purposes, be sure your custodian records your contribution as a 2021 contribution.
This article is contributed by HHM Wealth Advisors, LLC. Visit www.HHMWealth.com for more information. HHM Wealth Advisors is not in the business of providing legal advice with respect to ERISA or any other applicable law. The materials and information do not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice. The materials are general in nature and intended for informational purposes only.