What to do before December 31 to lower your 2026 tax

Two months before year-end is when you can still change things. After January 1, most of these moves no longer work.

1. Pay business expenses

Equipment, software, training, advertising for next year: if paid by December 31, it usually counts as a 2026 expense.

2. S-corp: run your own salary

A reasonable salary for the owner has to go through payroll before year-end. It can't be done retroactively.

3. Charitable giving: a new rule from 2026

You can now deduct cash donations even without itemizing: up to $1,000, or up to $2,000 for married couples. You need a receipt from the charity.

4. Sell losing stocks

A loss offsets gains from other sales and up to $3,000 of ordinary income.

What doesn't need to happen now

IRA, HSA and SEP-IRA contributions for 2026 can be made until April 2027, so those can wait.

Want to see what each item would do for you? Message me by mid-November and we'll have time to get everything done before December 31.