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Prepare for the 2025 Tax Season: Key Updates and Strategies

As the 2025 tax season approaches, it’s time to gather your records in readiness for filing your tax return. Whether you’re meeting your accountant in person, via video call, or over the phone, being thoroughly prepared can significantly streamline the process. The organization of your records can greatly influence the ease with which you navigate this annual obligation. Image 1

A well-documented year also allows more time to:

  • Identify all potential deductions allowed under current tax laws,
  • Choose the most advantageous income reporting and deduction methods for your circumstances,
  • Analyze tax reforms, such as those from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and their implications on your tax situation, and
  • Evaluate proactive tax planning strategies that can cut future tax burdens.

Key 2025 Tax Changes: Let’s delve into some of the primary updates introduced by the OBBBA that may influence your tax filings:

  • Tip Income Exemption: Qualifying employees can deduct up to $25,000 of tip income from taxation, with a phase-out for higher earners. Employers must report eligible tips accordingly. Image 2
  • Overtime Deduction: Deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filings) of qualifying overtime pay, with income-based phase-outs.
  • Interest on Vehicle Loans: Deduct interest on loans for U.S.-assembled passenger vehicles, with income limits. Stay alert for a new Form 1098-VLI or alternative reporting forms in 2025.
  • Enhanced SALT Deduction: Itemized state and local tax deductions increase up to $40,000 before phasing down for high-income earners.
  • Expanded Retirement Contributions: For those aged 60 to 63, catch-up contributions to retirement plans have significantly increased, excluding IRAs.
  • Child and Adoption Credits: Child tax credits rise, with provisions for a sizeable refundable adoption credit.
  • Section 179 Adjustment: New limits for expensing business assets aid small and medium businesses.
  • Permanent Bonus Depreciation: Businesses can immediately deduct 100% of the expense for qualifying assets.
  • Research Expenditures: Deduct domestic experimental expenditures outright, although international costs remain amortizable over 15 years.

Optimizing Your Tax Position: Critical decisions regarding income and deductions can affect your upcoming and future tax returns, including strategic handling of property sales, depreciation, and more. Image 3

Kickstart Your Tax Preparation: Begin organizing your tax information in January. Secure a dedicated space for your records. For digital receipts and statements, print or store them as advised. Utilize tax organizers and questionnaires for detailed preparation, ensuring no financial event is overlooked.

  • Documentation Tips: Categorize documentation by type—medical, mortgage, charitable, etc. Make accountants aware of anything involving foreign accounts or digital currencies.
  • Health and Income Statements: Collate Forms 1095, W-2, 1099, and others separately for accuracy.
  • Tax Efficient Decisions: Assess previous deductions and compare with the current year’s receipts to optimize tax savings.

Ensuring Accuracy: Verify all entries for authenticity. Changes in personal circumstances, like marital status or dependents, require specific documentation.

If you've experienced unique financial transactions this year, advance discussions about their documentation with your advisor could be beneficial. For any uncertainties, reach out for professional guidance or consult during your appointment.

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