By Lindsay Adams, CFP®
It’s prime time to check in on your finances before the end of the year. Being proactive now can mean more savings and fewer surprises come tax season. Whether you’re preparing for retirement, managing executive stock options, or running your own business, the right year-end tax strategies can make a real difference.
Here are five of the most critical tax-smart financial moves to consider before December 31.
1. Harvest Investment Losses
Let’s start with one of the most underused yet powerful year-end tax strategies: tax-loss harvesting.
No one likes to see an investment in the red, but even losses can work in your favor with a smart year-end tax strategy. The IRS allows you to offset capital gains with capital losses, which can help reduce your taxable income for the year.
If you’re holding investments that haven’t performed well, selling them before year-end could help balance out the gains you’ve realized elsewhere in your portfolio.
If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against other income this year, with any remaining losses carried forward to future years. Just keep in mind the “wash sale” rule, which prevents you from claiming a loss if you buy back the same or a substantially identical investment within 30 days.
2. Max Out Your Retirement Contributions
Next let’s look at one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce taxable income: maximizing your retirement plan contributions.
For 2025, you can lower your taxable income by contributing up to $23,500 to your 401(k). If you’re between 50 and 59 or 64 and older, your annual contribution limit increases to $31,000. And if you’re in the 60–63 “super catch-up” window, you can put away as much as $34,750. Don’t forget about IRAs: you can contribute up to $7,000, or $8,000 if you’re 50 or older.
Business owners should also review options for SEP IRAs or solo 401(k)s, which can offer even higher contribution limits and more flexibility for tax deferral.
3. Give to Charity
Giving to charity can be a win-win. It supports the causes you care about and may also lower your tax bill if you itemize deductions. And remember, charitable giving isn’t limited to writing checks. Donating gently used household items or clothing to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization can also count, as long as you get a receipt to document the fair market value of your donation.
If you tend to give every year and your itemized deductions are close to the standard deduction, consider “bunching” multiple years’ worth of charitable gifts into one calendar year. This approach can help you maximize your deductions in that year and still gain from the standard deduction in others.
Another powerful strategy? Donating appreciated stock. You can deduct the stock’s full fair market value, and the charity avoids paying capital gains tax, making it a smart move for both sides.
4. Consider a Roth Conversion During a Lower-Income Year
If your income is lower than usual in 2025, it could be a great opportunity to convert some or all of your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. By paying taxes on the converted amount now while you’re in a potentially lower tax bracket, you set yourself up to take tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
Another perk of a Roth IRA is that it doesn’t have required minimum distributions (RMDs) like traditional retirement accounts. This means your money can continue to grow tax-free for as long as you want, giving you more flexibility and control over your retirement income.
5. Review Your Tax Plan Before the Clock Runs Out
Finally, one of the smartest year-end tax strategies requires teamwork. Review your overall tax picture with your financial and tax advisors by early December.
For business owners and executives, this is also a great time to review bonus timing, stock option exercises, or deferred compensation plans.
Aligning these moves with your broader tax and investment strategy can help smooth income and potentially reduce next year’s tax liability.
Bring It All Together: Year-End Tax Strategies That Fit Your Life
The bottom line is that year-end tax strategies require making smart, intentional decisions that support your long-term goals. Whether you’re preparing for retirement, managing complex stock compensation, or simply looking to be more proactive with your finances, the right plan can make all the difference.
At CGN Advisors, we help clients like you create customized tax-smart financial plans that align with your values, investments, and future vision.
Interested in scheduling a meeting? Call (785) 340-3434 today; we look forward to connecting!
About Lindsay
Lindsay Adams is a Lead Advisor at CGN Advisors, a Fee-Only, financial advisory firm based in Manhattan, Kansas. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the Certified Farm Succession Coordinator designation. In her role, Lindsay aims to walk alongside her clients as they navigate financial decision-making, and she loves seeing them accomplish their goals with actionable steps and experience the financial freedom to do what their heart desires. With a mission to serve others, she genuinely cares about what goes on in her clients’ lives, the big and the small, beyond the financial.
Lindsay graduated from the Personal Financial Planning program at Kansas State University with a minor in business. Prior to joining CGN as an Associate Advisor, Lindsay gained experience in different aspects of the financial services industry. She worked in banking during high school and college and helped fellow students at a financial counseling on-campus job, which showed her many different ways people interact with money and spurred a desire to assist others in financial planning. Outside of work, Lindsay is active in her church, enjoys singing and being outside, whether running or hiking, and spending time on the farm. She’s always looking forward to the next travel adventure. To learn more about Lindsay, connect with her on LinkedIn.
Investment advisory services are offered through CGN Advisors, LLC, a fee-only SEC registered investment advisor. Tel: (910) FEE-ONLY.
Investing involves substantial risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. Before investing in any investment product, potential investors should consult their financial or tax advisor, accountant, or attorney with regard to their specific situation. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.
The opinions expressed herein are those of certain CGN Advisors, LLC personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated.