---
title: 2026 Year-End Financial Planning Checklist
description: Prepare for the end of 2026 with our financial planning checklist covering tax strategies, charitable giving, retirement accounts, and estate planning.
---

[Global View Investment Blog](https://blog.globalviewinv.com)

# [2026 Year-End Financial Planning Checklist](https://blog.globalviewinv.com/2026-year-end-financial-planning-checklist)

 Written by [Matthew Crider](https://blog.globalviewinv.com/author/matthew-crider) | 10/12/26, 5:51 PM

*It seems impossible, but we are now less than 12 weeks away from 2027. Before the busy holiday season arrives, here are a few tax-specific items we recommend evaluating as 2026 draws to a close:*

## **Capital Gains**

Opportunities to offset large capital gains (like the sale of a home, business, or stock) should be evaluated now. Harvesting unrealized capital losses may help reduce potential tax liabilities. Any changes must be completed before December 31st to receive the benefit for 2026.

## **Gifting Strategies**

Gifts to charities, family, or other individuals must be completed by December 31st.

- The annual federal gift tax exclusion for 2026 is $19,000 per person. Married couples can combine their limirs via gift-splitting to give up to $38,000 per recipient.
- Consider gifting highly appreciated, low-basis assets instead of cash. This provides the same gift value to the recipient while allowing you to avoid paying capital gains tax.
- A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to give up to $111,000 directly to a charity from an IRA. This satisfies all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while addressing your giving goals.
- *New for 2026:* Universal Charitable Deduction for cash gifts of $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples) can be claimed even if you take the standard deduction and do not itemize.

## **Retirement Plan Contributions**

December 31st is the deadline to make elective salary deferrals to your employer’s 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan. Your specific plan structure may dictate these rules.

- The 401(k) salary deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500 ($32,500 if you are 50–59, and $35,750 if you qualify for the age 60–63 catch-up).
- The SIMPLE 401(k) contribution limit is $17,000 ($21,000 if you are 50–59, and $22,250 if you are 60–63).

## **IRA Contributions and Roth Conversions**

- The traditional and Roth IRA contribution deadline for the 2026 tax year is April 15, 2027. The limit is $7,500 ($8,600 if you are age 50 or older).
- The Roth conversion deadline is December 31, 2026. *Remember:* Roth conversions cannot be reversed. This is a permanent decision that requires careful planning.

## **Education Planning**

- To qualify for a state tax deduction, contributions to the South Carolina 529 College Savings Plan (Future Scholar) must be completed by December 31, 2026.
- Consider “frontloading” a 529 plan if you have a lump sum rather **than** relying on future cash flow contributions. You can safely contribute up to five times the annual gift tax exclusion in a single year—$95,000 for individuals or $195,000 for married couples—assuming the total lifetime limit is not exceeded.
- Up to $35,000 in lifetime unused 529 funds may also be eligible for a tax-free rollover into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, subject to annual limit restrictions.

## **Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)**

RMDs from qualifying retirement accounts must be completed by December 31st. Penalties apply for missing an RMD. Remember that a separate RMD calculation applies to each pre-tax retirement account wherever it is held (including banks, old workplaces, brokerage firms, and insurance companies). Consider account consolidation if you find it difficult to keep up with multiple distributions.

## **Inherited IRAs**

Most non-spouse beneficiaries must entirely empty an Inherited IRA within 10 years of the account owner’s passing. If the deceased account owner was RMD age at their passing, the beneficiary must continue taking annual RMDs in addition to emptying the account by year 10.

## **Estate Planning**

Review your estate documents annually to confirm the correct designations for:

- Personal representative
- Trustees of any trust
- Guardian for minor children
- Agents for your durable financial and healthcare powers of attorney
- Primary and contingent beneficiaries of your will, life insurance policies, and retirement accounts

*We recommend consulting with your tax professional and financial advisor to understand any specific qualifying requirements before acting. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute formal tax or investment advice.*

[View full post](https://blog.globalviewinv.com/2026-year-end-financial-planning-checklist)

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