CONSUMERS

5 really last-minute moves to cut 2016 taxes

Lock in last-minute deductions: The easiest way to do this is to make donations to non-profit groups. You can lock in the deduction for 2016 by using a credit card, even if you don't pay the bill until next year. As for checks, they need to be mailed before the end of the year.
Lock in last-minute deductions: The easiest way to do this is to make donations to non-profit groups. You can lock in the deduction for 2016 by using a credit card, even if you don't pay the bill until next year. As for checks, they need to be mailed before the end of the year.
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Lock in last-minute deductions: If you're an investor with some unrealized losses, you can sell one or more money-losing securities, such as stocks or mutual funds, to lock in the loss for 2016.
Lock in last-minute deductions: If you're an investor with some unrealized losses, you can sell one or more money-losing securities, such as stocks or mutual funds, to lock in the loss for 2016.
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Make required retirement withdrawals: The normal deadline for making required minimum distributions, or RMDs, is year end. But if you just recently turned 70½, the initial withdrawal can be deferred until April 1 of the year following the year you turned 70½..
Make required retirement withdrawals: The normal deadline for making required minimum distributions, or RMDs, is year end. But if you just recently turned 70½, the initial withdrawal can be deferred until April 1 of the year following the year you turned 70½..
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Defer income for a couple more days: If you have leeway over when to bill clients or have other discretion of when to collect payments, it could pay to do nothing until next week. In the same spirit, you typically don't want to sell stocks, mutual funds or other securities over the waning days of the year if you're sitting on gains and the investments are held in taxable accounts.
Defer income for a couple more days: If you have leeway over when to bill clients or have other discretion of when to collect payments, it could pay to do nothing until next week. In the same spirit, you typically don't want to sell stocks, mutual funds or other securities over the waning days of the year if you're sitting on gains and the investments are held in taxable accounts.
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Notify the IRS and Social Security: People who moved during the past year should inform the U.S. Postal Service, their employer and the Internal Revenue Service of the new address. To notify the IRS, complete and mail IRS Form 8822. If your name changed recently due to marriage or divorce, notify the Social Security Administration so that both the IRS and SSA will have updated and matching records.
Notify the IRS and Social Security: People who moved during the past year should inform the U.S. Postal Service, their employer and the Internal Revenue Service of the new address. To notify the IRS, complete and mail IRS Form 8822. If your name changed recently due to marriage or divorce, notify the Social Security Administration so that both the IRS and SSA will have updated and matching records.
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