2026 Year End Planning

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Dear Client and Friends:

As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to think of planning moves that will help lower your tax bill for this year and possibly the next. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, signed into law on July 4, 2025, made many tax provisions permanent and several of its changes take effect for the first time in 2026. These include new charitable deduction rules and higher 1099 reporting thresholds. We have included the changes most likely to affect you.

The time-tested approach of deferring income and accelerating deductions to minimize taxes still benefits most taxpayers, along with the tactic of “bunching” expenses into this year or the next to get around deduction restrictions.

We have compiled a list of actions based on current tax rules that may help you save tax dollars if you act before year-end. Not all actions will apply in your particular situation, but you (or a family member) will likely benefit from many of them. We can narrow down the specific actions that you can take once we meet with you to tailor a particular plan. In the meantime, please review the following list and contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can advise you on which tax-saving moves to make.

KEY TAX LAW CHANGES FOR 2026

  • The standard deduction has increased to $32,200 for joint filers, $24,150 for head of household, and $16,100 for singles for 2026. A senior deduction of $6,000 ($12,000 for married couples if both qualify) is available for taxpayers age 65+ subject to phaseouts for modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) starting at $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for joint filers.
  • The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap is temporarily increased to $40,400 for 2026 through 2029, with phaseouts for higher income taxpayers, starting at $505,000 MAGI for singles and joint filers in 2026.
  • The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction is now permanent with expanded phaseout thresholds.
  • The Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per child for 2026, with updated requirements and phaseouts.
  • Miscellaneous itemized deductions (such as unreimbursed employee expenses) remain eliminated.
  • Credits for new and used clean vehicles ended after September 30, 2025.
  • 100% bonus depreciation took effect on January 20, 2025, as well as increased Section 179 limits.
  • Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, Oregon Senate Bill 1507 formally decouples the state from federal bonus depreciation under Internal Revenue Code Section 168(k). Section 179 continues to be available, so please contact our office with any questions about how this ruling may affect your tax return.

TAX PLANNING IN A LOW-INCOME YEAR

As always, it is generally important that you fully utilize deductions and consider using the lower 10 and 12 percent tax brackets if you are to maximize your tax planning strategies. For 2026, these lower tax brackets apply to $100,800 of taxable income for a married couple filing jointly and $50,400 of taxable income for singles. If your income is below those amounts and anticipated to rise next year, it may be advantageous to accelerate income and defer deductions for 2026.

ESTATE PLANNING

For Oregon residents, if your estate (combined with your spouse, if applicable) will be worth more than $1 million (the State of Oregon limit) when you die (including any life insurance your estate may receive), then you probably need to consider advanced estate and gift tax planning. There are many ways to reduce estate taxes. For Federal purposes, each individual can currently transfer up to $15,000,000 in their lifetime without incurring estate or gift tax, in addition to the annual gift tax exclusion of up to $19,000 per person for 2026.

If your will has not been updated recently, a review may be worthwhile. Even with an estate valued at less than $1 million, there are many family circumstances or philanthropic wishes that make an update a good idea.

YEAR END TAX PLANNING TIPS

The following is designed to highlight some tips that might be implemented to minimize your tax burden, either this year or in total over the next few years.

INDIVIDUALS:

  1. Where possible, manage the timing of your income and deductions to your advantage:
  1. Prepay deductible expenses or delay income if you are in the higher tax brackets. In most cases, you can use credit cards or credit lines to prepay deductible expenses.
  2. Accelerate income into 2026 or delay paying deductible expenses until 2027 if you have no or low income in 2026 and expect higher income next year.
  • Consider selling stocks or other investments with gains or losses to increase or decrease your income as appropriate. The long-term capital gain rate is 15% if your taxable income is $613,700 or less for married couples filing jointly or $545,500 or less for a single individual. The federal long-term capital gain rate is 0% if your taxable income is $98,900 joint and $49,450 if single. This also applies to qualified corporate dividends.
  • Consider selling cryptocurrency investments with losses and repurchasing at the same lower price as the “Wash Sale” rules do not currently apply to cryptocurrency sales. Thus, any losses can be fully claimed even if the same asset is purchased within 30 days.
  • Analyze your passive losses (including prior year carry forwards) to see if they are being limited and what steps can be taken to increase their use.
  • Be aware of required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement plans. The SECURE Act passed in late 2019, and updated under SECURE 2.0, increased the starting age for RMDs from 70 ½ to now 73 as of Jan. 1, 2023; up to age 75 by 2033 (those born after 1959).
  • If you are receiving Social Security payments, be sure your year-end planning takes into account how it affects the taxability or possible repayment of your Social Security benefits.
  • Maximize your retirement plan contributions:
  1. If your employer offers a qualified plan (401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP, etc.) consider increasing your contributions in the 4th quarter to take advantage of as much of the deferral contribution limit as possible.
  • Make an IRA contribution (up to $7,500 in 2026; $8,600 if age 50 or older) particularly if it is deductible and lowers your taxes, or a Roth IRA contribution if you are in a low tax bracket. This can be done until April 15, 2027. Please contact our office for help in determining how much to contribute and which type of IRA benefits you most.
  • Consider converting your existing IRA to a Roth IRA, particularly if you have market depressed investments. There is not an income limitation on conversions; however, the conversion is no longer reversible.
  • If you are eligible to make a Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution, you have until April 15, 2027, to make a 2026 contribution. If you become eligible late this year, you can make a full year’s worth of contributions even if you were not eligible for the entire year. Contributions to an HSA are deductible (within IRS-prescribed limits), earnings on the account are tax-deferred, and distributions are tax-free if made for qualifying medical expenses. If you make mid-year changes to a qualifying plan due to enrolling in Medicare, coverage changes due to a new employer, or employer’s benefits renew mid-year, you may need to pro-rate your HSA contribution limit.
  1. Determine if your medical expenses have exceeded 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. If they have, and it lowers your tax burden, pay all outstanding medical bills by the end of the year to maximize the deduction. 
  1. Charitable contributions:
    1. Acquire written receipts for ALL charitable contributions.
    1. Keep detailed records of non-cash contributions. List the property, condition, and fair market (thrift shop) value. Attach a detailed list to the receipt you receive. Also, if the non-cash donation is valued over $5,000, you must have a qualified appraiser sign IRS Form 8283.
    1. Contribute appreciated stock to your favorite charity or to a donor advised fund. You get a deduction for the fair market value of the stock but pay no tax on the capital gain.
    1. Taxpayers aged 70 ½ or older can make a qualified charitable distribution up to $111,000 per year from their IRAs.
    1. Before December 31, 2026, take advantage of the Oregon Cultural Tax Credit by contributing any amount to a qualifying Oregon nonprofit cultural organization AND contributing a similar amount to the Oregon Cultural Trust. Then take a 100% dollar –for-dollar tax credit against your Oregon tax liability equal to your Oregon Cultural Trust contribution (up to the maximum limits of $500 for individuals, $1,000 for couple filing jointly, or $2,500 for Oregon corporations). See their website www.culturaltrust.org or call us for more information.
    1. Starting in 2026, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1000 ($2,000 joint) of cash gifts to public charities.
    1. Starting in 2026 itemizers can only deduct gifts that exceed 0.5% of AGI. Consider bunching gifts into alternate years.
  1. Remember to complete this year’s annual gifts (up to $19,000 per person for 2026) free of taxes by December 31, 2026, if you need to reduce potential estate taxes.
  1. Assess the adequacy of your 2026 income tax withholdings to determine if an increase is needed to avoid any underpayment of estimated tax penalties.
  1. For Oregon residents saving for college, the rules have changed regarding the Oregon 529 plan. Oregon now offers a tax credit-$180 for single filers, $360 for joint filers (2026 amounts may change due to inflation indexing). There are some carryover provisions for allowing a subtraction for prior year contributions. Please speak to your accountant regarding this.

BUSINESS OWNERS:

  1. Increase (or start) your retirement plan contributions. For 2026, certain qualified plans (e.g. single member, profit sharing, 401(k), etc.) if desired for 2026, can be set up by the due date of the sponsors return including extensions. However, SIMPLE IRAs need to be set up before October 1 in the initial year for deductible contributions. Contributions can be made as late as the extended due date of your tax return. SEP plans can also be set up and funded as late as the extended due date of the tax return. For 2026, depending on the plan, the maximum contribution rate is generally 25% of earned income (a contribution maximum of $72,000 or $80,000 if 50 years or older, for most defined contribution plans). For those ages, 60-63 the maximum contribution is $83,250.
  • Consider paying your children wages if they are working in your business and are in lower tax brackets. This probably will not be as beneficial for a partnership or a corporation and also will not be as effective if your children are age 18 or over since Social Security taxes would have to be withheld and matched. It may, however, provide early retirement savings opportunities for your child. Worker’s compensation coverage may be required if you employ your children.
  • Purchase needed equipment and furniture (new or used) and place in service by December 31, 2026, in order to potentially qualify for up to $2,560,000 of IRC §179 depreciation expense (subject to phaseouts once qualifying property exceeds $4,090,000), or the now 100% bonus depreciation (which is very similar to IRC §179 expensing). Remember that there are special rules that may limit depreciation on certain vehicles. Bonus depreciation is on qualifying assets purchased during the year.
  • Oregon – bonus depreciation disconnect: Oregon no longer follows the federal 100% bonus depreciation rules for property placed in service in tax years beginning on or after January 1,2026. Business owners who claim federal bonus depreciation will need to add it back on their Oregon return. That addition is the amount of federal bonus depreciation above what was allowed under the asset’s life under the law in effect on December 1, 2017 (50%). Oregon still follows the federal Section 179 expensing limits. For Oregon taxpayers, Section 179 may therefore be the better choice for 2026 purchases.
  • Consider paying a bonus out of your corporation to address reasonable compensation issues and withholding needs.
  • Consider the tax benefits of incorporating certain limited liability structures if you are a sole proprietor or partnership.
  • Consider increasing your basis in your partnership or S-corporation to make possible a 2026 loss deduction (if your losses are being limited by basis or the “at-risk” rules)
  • Consider using a credit card to pay deductible expenses before the end of the year.  Doing so will increase your 2026 deductions even if you don’t pay your credit card bill until after the end of the year.

OREGON – PTE-E:

In July 2021, Oregon established an elective Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTE-E), a business alternative income tax in response to the cap on the federal State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction added in the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, entities taxed as S corporations and partnerships may elect annually to be subject to the PTE-E tax at a rate of 9 percent tax on the first $250,000 of distributive proceeds and 9.9 percent tax on any amount exceeding $250,000. The law was extended through December 31, 2027.

Qualifying members of an electing PTE are eligible for a credit equal to 100 percent of the member’s distributive share of the PTE-E tax paid.

An entity must first register (https://revenueonline.dor.oregon.gov/tap/_/#1, then select “Register for Business Tax”) with the Oregon Department of Revenue to make payments for the PTE-E tax. Electing entities will also want to pay this tax prior to December 31, 2026, to get the tax deduction in 2026. Quarterly estimates are required if the tax shown on the return will be $1,000 or more.

See the PTE-E registration training

https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/businesses/Documents/PTEE-Registration-Training-06.09.pdf for further details and/or see our website (www.FHJA.CPA).

Oregon Corporate Activity Tax

Signed by Oregon’s governor in 2019, H.B. 3427 imposes a corporate activity tax (CAT) applicable to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The CAT is imposed in addition to the state’s current corporation excise and income tax.

The tax applies to corporations, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, federally disregarded entities, and ‘any other entities.’ Unitary groups register, file, and pay the tax as single taxpayers. You must register within 30 days of reaching $750,000 of Oregon sourced gross revenue. The CAT is equal to 0.57 percent of a taxpayer’s Oregon-sourced ‘taxable commercial activity’ in excess of $1 million for the calendar year, plus $250. Thus, it is essentially a gross receipts tax; however, a deduction of up to 35% for labor or cost of sales limited to 95% of commercial activity, is allowable.

Reporting requirements-Due January 31, 2027:

Please keep in mind that we would be glad to prepare any of the 1099 forms for you or help with the preparation.

  1. What’s new for 1099 Forms: forms need to be Electronically filed with the IRS if you have 10 or more informational returns that you are required to file. This includes any W-2’s, Quarterly reports, etc., not just 1099 forms. Most companies will fall into this category and will now need to file electronically.

Oregon requires all 1099 forms to be filed electronically even if you only have one. 

Penalties have increased, they can be up to $60 to $690 per form for failure to issue required forms, incorrect information filed, failure to file timely and even failure to file electronically when required.

  • Form 1099-NEC must be sent out by January 31, 2027, to anyone (other than Corporations) who provided services, (including parts and materials), for your business totaling $2,000 or more in 2026. This includes consultants, attorneys, accountants, painters, janitors, contractors, etc. Attorneys and doctors who are Corporations must be issued 1099’s, as they are an exception to the corporation rule.
  • Form 1099-MISC is most commonly used for rent, this includes property rent, storage rent, equipment rent, etc. unless the recipient of the rent is a corporation. The threshold for this 1099 type also moved to $2,000 in 2026.
  • Form 1099-INT needs to be sent to anyone (other than corporations) who was paid $2,000 or more of interest in 2026 if the interest is a business deduction. This includes interest paid to owners or other related non-corporate business entities.
  • Form 1099-DIV needs to be sent by C Corporations only that paid dividends to their shareholders in 2026.
  • Form W-2 must be given to employees by January 31, 2027. The info must also be submitted to the Social Security Administration AND to the State of Oregon by January 31, 2027, electronically.
  • Oregon Form WR needs to be filed by all businesses with an Oregon Business Identification Number (BIN) by January 31, 2027, electronically. Payroll services providers will file this form for you.

Remember that W-2 wages reported must be adjusted for:

  • Health Insurance paid for S corporation shareholders who own greater than 2% of company stock
  • Life insurance provided in excess of $50,000 in coverage
  • Personal use of company vehicles

Be sure to contact your payroll provider to have these amounts added to your W-2. We recommend contacting them in November to ensure they are included in your 2026 W-2.

If you need assistance calculating the correct inclusion amounts for life insurance or personal use of company vehicles, please contact us. We have attached a form for you to provide information regarding vehicle usage.

The Social Security tax limit for 2026 is $184,500. The 6.2% rate for both employees and employers is unchanged. The Medicare tax is unchanged at 1.45% for employees and employers with no income limitation.   Self-employed persons pay a total of 15.3% up to the Social Security limit and 2.9% above that limit. The additional .9% Medicare withholding tax has not changed and is required when an employee’s compensation exceeds $200,000. Keep in mind income subject to Social Security tax impacts retirement plan contribution limits.

OUR RECORDS RETENTION POLICY

Based on the standards of our profession, our firm’s policy is to retain copies of tax returns and related work papers for six years after the date of filing. We suggest taxpayers keep all of their original receipts and records for seven years. Any documentation relating to “basis” (e.g. the closing statement for a property purchase) should be kept until seven years after receipt of the final payment from the property sale is reported. We also suggest that taxpayers retain copies of their individual and business tax returns indefinitely.

Please remember that developing tax strategies prior to December 31, 2026, could affect the size of your refund come next spring or reduce your overall tax burden. We strongly encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience to set up a time to go over your individual tax situation if that is necessary this year. We also encourage you to visit our website at www.fhja.cpa for recent tax law changes as well as other helpful information for you and/or your business. In addition, your tax organizer will be sent to you by the first part of January. In order to timely file your personal tax return (without an extension), we kindly request that ALL of your tax information be received by us no later than Friday, March 19, 2027. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Disclaimer: The preceding information is intended as a general discussion and is not intended as a formal tax opinion. The recipient should not rely on any information contained herein without performing his or her own research.  The conclusions reached should not be relied upon without an independent, professional analysis of the facts and laws applicable to the situation.

Very truly yours,

Fischer, Hayes, Joye & Allen, LLC