(And How to Fix Them Before Year-End)
As the calendar flips to December, investors scramble to wrap up portfolios, harvest losses, and schedule those final charitable donations. But if you’re only focused on your brokerage account, you could be leaving tens of thousands in tax savings on the table.
At Ticker Tape Investments, we work with high-income professionals, accredited investors, and business owners to uncover tax-efficient investment and planning strategies. These last-minute moves could make a big difference in your 2025 tax bill—and beyond.
Here are the Top 7 overlooked end-of-year tax strategies to protect more of your wealth and position your portfolio for smarter, tax-advantaged growth.
✅ 1. Pay Business Expenses Now, Even If They Aren’t Due Yet
If you’re a cash-basis taxpayer, you can deduct business expenses when paid, not when incurred. That means writing checks on December 31—even for services due next year—could shrink your 2025 taxable income.
Pro Tip:
Prepay for subscriptions, consulting, software licenses, or equipment leases before year-end to lock in deductions now.
If you’re using accrual accounting, make sure the charges are incurred before the year ends—even if you pay them in 2026.
✅ 2. Prepay 2025 Property & State Taxes to Claim 2025 Federal Deductions
Especially for investors in high-tax states like California, New York, Illinois, or Massachusetts, the timing of your state tax payment can matter.
If you owe 2025 state income taxes, paying them before April 15, 2026 may allow you to deduct them on your 2025 federal return.
SALT Deduction Limit Update:
Congress raised the SALT deduction cap to $40,000—a big opportunity if you itemize deductions.
✅ 3. Fund Your HSA Before April 15
Still have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) in 2024? You can make a 2024 HSA contribution up until April 15, 2025.
- Individual limit: $4,150
- Family limit: $8,300
- Catch-up (55+): +$1,000
Why it matters:
HSA accounts offer a triple tax advantage—deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. There’s no other account like it.
✅ 4. Leverage the Augusta Rule—Tax-Free Rental Income
If you own your home, your business can rent it from you for up to 14 days/year at fair market value—and you pay zero tax on that rental income.
This is known as the “Augusta Rule”, and it’s a hidden gem for business owners, consultants, and even investors hosting private meetings.
- Your business deducts the rental expense
- You receive the income tax-free
- No 1099 required under 14 days
✅ 5. Claim the Home Office Deduction (If You Qualify)
If you use a portion of your home exclusively and regularly for business, you may qualify for this often-overlooked deduction.
Two options:
- Simplified method: $5 per sq ft (max 300 sq ft = $1,500)
- Actual expense method: Deduct a % of rent/mortgage, utilities, internet, etc.
⚠️ Note: This does not apply to W-2 employees—but business owners, real estate professionals, and consultants can take advantage.
✅ 6. Start or Max Out a Retirement Plan
Did your business have a strong year? Use it to your advantage.
You still have time to:
- Set up a SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), or even a Defined Benefit Plan
- Defer tens or hundreds of thousands in income into tax-advantaged accounts
Defined Benefit Plans and Cash Balance Pension Plans can allow contributions of $100K–$400K+ depending on your age and income.
✅ 7. Missed the 20% QBI Deduction?
If you’re a sole proprietor, S-Corp owner, or LLC member, the Qualified Business Income Deduction could cut your taxable income by up to 20%.
Even high-income professionals (doctors, lawyers, CPAs, consultants) can qualify if your income is under:
- $232,000 (single)
- $464,000 (married filing jointly)
Failing to claim QBI can leave tens of thousands on the IRS table.
📈 Bonus: TTI’s Tax-Advantaged Investment Opportunities Still Open
Looking for more ways to reduce your 2025 tax burden and build long-term wealth?
Ticker Tape Investments currently offers several open deals that combine high projected returns with tax efficiency:
🔹 Pre-IPO Investment Opportunities
- Utility Rescue / BillBots.ai – Nation’s top expense reduction platform — https://tti4.com/TTIVIV
- Kraken – Crypto exchange juggernaut
- OpenAI – Invested at $300B valuation (now over $500B)
- xAI (Elon Musk) – Strategic AI exposure
🔹 Traditional Tax-Efficient Investments
- TTI Oil & Gas Holdings, LP – 26% projected IRR + 2025 tax deductions
- TTI Metaverse Holdings – Blockchain and digital asset exposure
- TTI VIV Holdings & Utiliz – Energy and infrastructure innovation — https://tti4.com/TTIVIV
💬 Ready to Take Action?
The strategies above could help you reduce your taxable income, accelerate retirement savings, and boost after-tax returns—but only if you act before year-end.
Want a free consultation? Let’s talk tax efficiency, deal flow, and how to make 2025 your most strategic investment year ever.
📞 Contact:
Rita Karpel, Partner
📧 rita@ttifund.com
📱 832-459-7335
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