Most tax decisions are locked in on December 31. That is why year-end tax planning for individuals matters more than anything you do in April: in the spring you report what already happened, while in November and December you can still shape it. A short review now can prevent a surprise balance due, an underpayment penalty or a missed deduction.

Florida residents have one advantage: the state does not impose a personal income tax, so the planning focuses on your federal return. Below are the seven moves of year-end tax planning for individuals that matter most for families in Miami-Dade, with the figures the IRS has published for the 2026 tax year.

1. Start your year-end tax planning for individuals with a withholding check

Compare what has been withheld from your paychecks so far with what you expect to owe. Life changes such as a new job, a raise, a side business or a home sale can leave a gap. If you also had a filing extension this year, our article on filing after an extension explains how last year’s return feeds into this year’s numbers.

If you pay estimated taxes, the fourth payment for the September 1 to December 31 period is due January 15 of the following year. According to the IRS, you generally avoid the underpayment penalty if you owe less than $1,000 after withholding and credits, or if you paid at least 90% of this year’s tax or 100% of last year’s tax, whichever is smaller.

2. Put more into your workplace retirement plan

Contributions to a 401(k), 403(b) or most 457 plans come out of your paycheck, so they generally need to happen through payroll before your last paycheck of the year. For 2026, the IRS set these limits:

• Elective deferral limit: $24,500.
• Catch-up contribution for workers age 50 and older: $8,000.
• Higher catch-up for workers age 60 to 63: $11,250.

Ask your HR or payroll department how much time you have left to change your election. In year-end tax planning for individuals, this is often the move with the most direct effect on the current year’s bill.

3. Fund an IRA, and know the real deadline

The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up if you are 50 or older. Unlike a 401(k), you can make an IRA contribution for a tax year up to the due date of your return, not including extensions. Even so, including the IRA in your year-end tax planning for individuals helps you estimate your bill with fewer surprises.

4. Take required minimum distributions on time

For retirees, year-end tax planning for individuals usually starts here. If you are 73 or older, you generally must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and most workplace plans. The first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you turn 73, but every later RMD is due by December 31.

Missing an RMD is expensive: the IRS excise tax is 25% of the amount you should have withdrawn, reduced to 10% if you correct the shortfall within the correction window.

5. Plan charitable giving under the new 2026 rules

Beginning with tax year 2026, taxpayers who take the standard deduction can deduct up to $1,000 of cash contributions to qualified charities, or $2,000 on a joint return. Gifts of property, such as clothing or stock, and gifts to donor-advised funds do not qualify for this deduction. Keep receipts or bank records for every gift.

If you itemize, there is a new limit: only the portion of your charitable contributions above 0.5% of your adjusted gross income is deductible. In year-end tax planning for individuals, grouping several years of giving into one year can make itemizing worthwhile for some families. Your 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household, which is the number your itemized deductions need to beat.

Gifts to family members

For 2026, you can give up to $19,000 per recipient without using any of your lifetime gift and estate exclusion or filing a gift tax return for that gift. Married couples who split gifts can give $38,000 per recipient. Florida does not impose a gift tax. Gifts are easy to overlook in year-end tax planning for individuals because the annual exclusion applies per calendar year and does not carry over.

6. Review the new deductions for seniors, tips and overtime

Recent federal legislation created several temporary deductions that apply for tax years 2025 through 2028:

• Seniors: an additional $6,000 deduction for each eligible person age 65 or older by year-end, phased out above $75,000 of modified AGI ($150,000 for joint filers). It is available whether or not you itemize.
• Qualified tips: a deduction with an annual cap, limited by income and occupation rules.
• Qualified overtime: a deduction for the premium portion of overtime pay, also with annual caps and income phase-outs.

Because these deductions are new, they deserve a place in your year-end tax planning for individuals. Each one has eligibility rules, including a valid Social Security number, so collect your pay records now.

7. Organize documents before January

The last step in year-end tax planning for individuals is simple: build your tax folder. Gather pay stubs, brokerage and retirement statements, charitable receipts, medical and education expenses, property tax bills and any letters from the IRS. If you received a notice during the year, read our guide on what to do after an IRS notice so it does not carry into the new season.

Move	Usual deadline
401(k) / 403(b) contributions	Through payroll by year-end
Required minimum distributions (after the first)	December 31
Charitable gifts for this tax year	December 31
Fourth-quarter estimated payment	January 15
IRA contributions	Return due date, not including extensions

Begin year-end tax planning for individuals in October or November, while there are still paychecks left to adjust.

For the official rules on each item, the IRS summary of new provisions for individuals and workers is a good starting point. When you want a second set of eyes on your year-end tax planning for individuals, our individual and business tax services cover preparation and planning in English and Spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start year-end tax planning?

October and November are ideal, because you still have several paychecks to adjust retirement contributions or withholding. Many moves, such as charitable gifts and RMDs, must be completed by December 31.

Do Florida residents need to plan for state income tax?

No. Florida does not impose a personal income tax, so individual planning focuses on the federal return. Florida residents with income from other states may still have filing obligations elsewhere.

Can I still contribute to an IRA after December 31?

Yes. IRA contributions for a tax year can generally be made up to the due date of your return, not including extensions. Workplace plan contributions, by contrast, usually must go through payroll during the year.

Is the new charitable deduction available if I don’t itemize?

Starting with tax year 2026, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 of cash gifts to qualified charities, or $2,000 if married filing jointly. Property donations and gifts to donor-advised funds do not qualify.

How can JCB Solutions help with my year-end review?

We can review your income, withholding and deductions with you, explain which moves apply to your situation, and prepare your return when the season opens. We work with individuals and families in English and Spanish.

General information: This article is general information, not personalized tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax rules change; confirm your situation with a professional before acting.