In the quest for gifts and seasonal savings together with the promise of continued prosperity, many taxpayers overlook some of the simple year-end moves they can do that will help to reduce their taxes and improve the bottom line. There are many action steps you can perform today in order to save taxes for the next tax period. Below, find a shining display of our top five tips to save future tax dollars. 
If you discover an error after filing your return, you may need to amend your return. The IRS may correct mathematical or clerical errors on a return and may accept returns without certain required forms or schedules. 
In these instances, there’s no need to amend your return. However, do file an amended return if there’s a change in your filing status, income, deductions, or credits. Use Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040 (PDF), Form 1040A (PDF), Form 1040EZ (PDF), Form 1040NR (PDF), Form 1040NR-EZ (PDF), or to change amounts previously adjusted by the IRS.
You can also use Form 1040X to make a claim for a carryback due to a loss or unused credit; however, you may also be able to use Form 1045 (PDF), Application for Tentative Refund, instead of Form 1040X. Also, if the Form 8938 (PDF), Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, applies to you, file it with an annual return or an amended return. See the Form 8938 Instructions for more information.
Learn more about income tax planning from the Zinner & Co. tax team
Many clients ask if it is more advantageous to pay quarterly tax estimates or utilize their tax withholding. I wish there were a simple, cookie-cutter answer. However, as no two taxpayers are alike, the same goes for the manner in which one can pay one’s taxes.
Both methods of paying income tax have their pros and cons. The best selection depends on your personal preference and, more so, financial situation. A majority of self-employed individuals must utilize quarterly payments. However, if you have an income source such as retirement distributions, social security or employee wages, you have the option of withholding tax from those income streams in lieu of paying quarterly. read more…
On Jan. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly tightened the rules on the tax deductibility of employer-provided meals. If your business has historically relied on deductions for meals and food-related benefits, these changes require immediate...
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool to help importers and customs brokers claim tariff refunds following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. If your business paid IEEPA tariffs in...
Trump Accounts are a new type of tax-advantaged retirement account for minors, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law on July 4, 2025. With contributions of up to $5,000 per year and a potential $1,000 government seed contribution for eligible...
What Employers and Workers Should Know The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced a proposed rule intended to clarify when a worker is an employee and when the worker may be classified as an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards...
A Tax Filing Risk Alert for Taxpayers For decades, many taxpayers have relied on a simple rule of thumb: if it is in the mail by the deadline, you are fine. However, recent U.S. Postal Service (USPS) clarification makes that assumption riskier. On Dec. 24, 2025, the...
Send us your questions and we’ll share our insights with you on our blog!