5 Key Tax Questions About 2025 Taxes

January 2, 2025

As the new year begins, it’s natural to be focused on what you might owe or receive as a refund for your 2024 tax return. However, while working through your annual tax filing, it’s a great time to familiarize yourself with adjustments that may impact your tax planning for 2025. Inflation has caused changes to certain thresholds and limits, and understanding these now can help you plan ahead.

Here are answers to five commonly asked questions about 2025 tax figures:


1. How much money can I contribute to an IRA?

If eligible, you can contribute up to $7,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA in 2025. If you’re age 50 or older, you can make an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution. Note that these amounts remain the same as in 2024. Keep in mind that your contributions cannot exceed 100% of your earned income if it’s less than the contribution limit.


2. What’s the maximum I can contribute to a 401(k) plan through my job?

The maximum you can contribute to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan rises to $23,500 in 2025 (up from $23,000 in 2024). If you’re 50 or older, you can also make a $7,500 catch-up contribution, which remains unchanged. Exciting news for 2025: Employees aged 60 through 63 can make enhanced catch-up contributions of up to $11,250, including the $7,500 standard catch-up contribution. This new provision offers more opportunities to save for retirement during your peak earning years.


3. How much must I earn not to pay Social Security tax on my entire salary?

The Social Security tax wage base increases to $176,100 for 2025, up from $168,600 in 2024. This means that you don’t owe Social Security tax on amounts earned above this threshold. However, remember that Medicare tax must still be paid on all earned income regardless of the amount.


4. How much can I give one person without requiring a gift tax return?

The annual gift tax exclusion rises to $19,000 in 2025, up from $18,000 in 2024. This means you can give any individual up to this amount without needing to file a gift tax return. This increase provides more flexibility for tax-efficient giving.


5. How much is the Business Mileage Rate for 2025?

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the standard mileage rate for the business use of a car, van, pickup truck or panel truck is 70 cents per mile. This is up from 67 cents per mile for 2024. (For medical or eligible moving purposes, the 2025 rate is 21 cents per mile, and for charitable driving, it’s 14 cents per mile, both unchanged from 2024.) These rates apply to gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles. To protect your deduction, don’t forget to keep detailed mileage records.


Plan Ahead

These are just a few of the tax figures that could impact your financial strategy. Understanding them early can help you make the most of your contributions, deductions, and other planning opportunities. For personalized guidance or more information about 2025 tax changes, reach out to our office HERE or CALL. You can also reach out directly to your preparer. We’re here to help you make informed decisions and optimize your tax position for the year ahead.

Federal IRS Electronic Payment Requirement

By Stevans & Associates, PLLC • September 16, 2025
Effective September 30, 2025, all payments made to or from the Federal IRS must be processed electronically. The change aligns with contemporary financial standards.

SafeSend Gather vs. SafeSend Client Portal: What's the Difference?

January 21, 2025
SafeSend Gather and SafeSend Client Portal are components within the SafeSend One™ platform, each designed to streamline different aspects of the tax preparation and client interaction process. SafeSend Gather focuses on automating the initial phase of tax preparation by simplifying the collection of necessary documents and information from clients. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, it automatically generates document request lists, identifies and categorizes uploaded documents, and provides real-time visibility into document completion status. This ensures a frictionless document gathering process for both firms and clients. SafeSend Client Portal , on the other hand, is designed to enhance the overall client experience by providing a centralized dashboard for managing all tasks and documents throughout the tax lifecycle. It offers features such as a downloadable, sortable, and searchable repository of all documents exchanged between client and firm, a simple actionable to-do list, comprehensive notifications for important deadlines, a unified K-1 distribution page, and a centralized location to view and pay estimated or actual tax payment vouchers. This portal empowers clients to have greater independence and control over their tax journey. In summary, while SafeSend Gather streamlines the document collection process at the beginning of the tax preparation, SafeSend Client Portal provides an ongoing, centralized platform for clients to manage their tax-related tasks and documents throughout the entire tax lifecycle. Please reach out to our office if you have any questions about the SafeSend platform and it's features. CLICK or CALL . Source: SafeSend Learn

SafeSend Client Portal User Guide: Simplify Tax Document Management

January 6, 2025
Managing tax documents doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the SafeSend Client Portal , you gain a secure, convenient, and efficient way to store, access, and share your tax documents anytime, anywhere. This cutting-edge platform is designed with your ease and security in mind, ensuring that your tax preparation process is smooth and stress-free. Benefits of the SafeSend Client Portal Secure Access to Your Documents The SafeSend Client Portal employs advanced encryption and security protocols to protect your sensitive financial information. You can confidently upload, store, and retrieve your tax documents without worrying about data breaches. 24/7 Availability With the portal, your documents are available at your fingertips, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go. No need to hunt through paperwork—everything is digitally organized in one place. Streamlined Communication The portal allows you to securely share documents with our office and receive important updates or requests. This eliminates the need for back-and-forth emails or physical mail, saving you time and hassle. Environmentally Friendly By using a digital portal, you’re reducing paper waste and contributing to a more sustainable future. User-Friendly Design SafeSend’s intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your SafeSend Client Portal Receive the Invitation You’ll receive an email with a link to set up your SafeSend Client Portal. The email will include a secure invitation link that is unique to you. Create Your Account Click the invitation link and follow the prompts to create your account. You’ll need to set up a username and password and provide some basic information to verify your identity. Be sure to hit 'Sign Up' under the login screen before trying to log into an account. Verify Your Identity For added security, the portal may send a verification code to your email or phone. Enter this code to complete the setup process. Log In Once your account is set up, log in using your new credentials. Bookmark the login page for easy access in the future. Explore the Portal Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the portal. You’ll find sections for uploading documents, viewing files, and communicating with our team. Upload Your Documents Use the upload feature to submit your tax documents. You can drag and drop files or select them manually from your device. Accepted file types include PDFs, images, and spreadsheets. Monitor Progress The portal allows you to track the status of your submissions and see any additional requests from our team. You’ll receive notifications when updates are made. Access Your Completed Tax Return Once your return is complete, you can securely download a copy directly from the portal. All files are stored for your convenience and future reference. Still struggling to set up a client portal? Here is, a direct from SafeSend, step by step guide for 1st time portal setup/access: Client Portal Experience – SafeSend Returns Start Using SafeSend Client Portal Today The SafeSend Client Portal is a powerful tool designed to make your tax preparation experience smoother and more efficient. If you have questions about setting up or using the portal, our team is here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started and take the first step toward a more organized and stress-free tax season!