Taxes
Year-End Tax Planning Checklist 2026: Deadlines and Limits
Short answer
most year-end moves have a December 31, 2026 deadline: maximize your 401(k) ($24,500, more if 50+), do any Roth conversion, take required minimum distributions, harvest losses, and use FSA money. IRA ($7,500) and HSA ($4,400 self-only) contributions can wait until April 2027.
Deadline by deadline
| Move | Deadline | 2026 limit or rule |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP deferrals | December 31, 2026 | $24,500; +$8,000 at 50+; $11,250 at 60–63 |
| Total additions (employee + employer) | December 31, 2026 | $72,000 |
| Traditional or Roth IRA | Tax-filing deadline, April 2027 | $7,500; +$1,100 at 50+ |
| HSA | Tax-filing deadline, April 2027 | $4,400 self-only / $8,750 family; +$1,000 at 55+ |
| Health FSA | Plan year-end (check your grace period or carryover) | $3,400; carryover up to $680 if your plan allows |
| Dependent-care FSA | Plan year-end | $7,500 per household |
| Roth conversion | December 31, 2026 | No limit; taxed as ordinary income |
| Required minimum distribution | December 31 (April 1 for your first) | Starts at 73 (75 if born 1960 or later) |
| Charitable gifts | December 31, 2026 | Qualified charitable distribution limit $111,000 (age 70½ and over) |
| Gifts to individuals | December 31, 2026 | $19,000 per recipient |
1. Look at your bracket first
For 2026 the standard deduction is $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly and $24,150 head of household. Project your taxable income, then see how much room remains in your current bracket with the tax bracket calculator. Single-filer bracket tops: 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775. Married filing jointly: 12% to $100,800, 22% to $211,400, 24% to $403,550.
2. Max out retirement accounts
Every pre-tax dollar into a 401(k) cuts taxable income dollar for dollar. At a 22% bracket, an extra $5,000 saves about $1,100 in federal tax. Use the paycheck calculator to see what a higher percentage does to each check, and read pre-tax 401(k) savings.
3. Consider a Roth conversion
If you expect a higher bracket later, or this year’s income is low, converting part of a traditional IRA to Roth now can lock in today’s rate. The conversion is taxed as income this year and cannot be undone. Model it with the Roth conversion calculator and compare options in Roth vs. traditional IRA.
4. Harvest losses (and maybe gains)
- Sell losing investments in taxable accounts to offset gains; up to $3,000 of net loss offsets ordinary income, and the rest carries forward.
- Avoid buying the same or substantially identical investment within 30 days before or after (wash-sale rule).
- If your taxable income is below $49,450 (single) or $98,900 (married filing jointly), long-term gains fall in the 0% bracket, so selling a winner and rebuying can reset your cost basis tax-free. The 15% bracket runs to $545,500 single / $613,700 joint.
5. Use up FSA money and review your HSA
A health FSA is limited to $3,400 for 2026 and many plans forfeit unspent money at year-end, subject to a carryover of up to $680 or a short grace period if your employer offers one. Check your plan rules and your balance now. HSA money rolls over, so fund it fully and compare FSA vs. HSA.
6. Required minimum distributions and charity
- RMDs must be taken by December 31 each year (your first can wait until April 1 of the following year). Missing one triggers an excise tax, so use the RMD calculator.
- If you are 70½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution of up to $111,000 goes straight from an IRA to a charity and counts toward your RMD without being added to income.
7. Check your withholding
If your tax situation changed this year, adjust your W-4 now so fewer or more dollars are withheld in the remaining paychecks. See how to set your W-4.
What is not known yet
The IRS has not published 2027 inflation adjustments (brackets, standard deduction, 401(k) and IRA limits). It usually does in the fall. We will update the figures on this site from one data file once they are official.
Estimates, not advice. CalcWyse figures use 2026 federal rules and the assumptions stated on this page (how we calculate). Your tax situation can differ. Confirm with a qualified tax professional or the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator before you act.
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