.png)
Teachers, did you know that inflation not only influences your daily life expenditures but also impacts your taxes? As educators, your wages may be stretched as it is. Therefore, knowing how inflation additionally affects your taxes may save you money and set you up for savings growth. This article discusses the general scope of how inflation also impacts taxes.
We have the updated 2023 tax numbers as a free resource.
Additionally, look at our free resource page.
Inflation has been making every area of our lives more expensive as the costs of the goods and services we use every day have skyrocketed. As an educator, you perhaps have seen the impact if you are trying to get certain supplies. As a result, the Federal Reserve is attempting to lower inflation by using the bluntest tool in its arsenal – raising the key short-term interest rate.
These rate increases have meant that as prices have continued to increase, they follow higher costs for debt. You've likely noticed the difference if you're carrying a credit card balance. And hopefully, you have a fixed-rate mortgage.
But there may be a small silver lining. The IRS pegs tax brackets, tax deductions, 401(k)/403(b), and other tax-efficient vehicle contribution amounts to inflation. Therefore, a careful review of your financial picture, combined with some proactive tax planning, may save you money and set you up for increased savings growth in the years to come.
Tax Brackets Are Moving North
Tax brackets are increased due to inflation to ensure that tax brackets reflect people's real income. Inflation means credits, deductions, and exemptions are worth less, which translates to increased taxes paid. Raising the amount of the income range in each bracket shelters more income from higher rates.
The increase is usually so slight that it doesn't affect most people's tax brackets, but this year the brackets jumped significantly.
10%: $1-11,000 for singles and $0-$22,000 for couples
12%: $11,001-$44,725 for singles and $22,001-$89,450 for couples
22%: $44,726-$95,375 for singles and $89,451-$190,750 for couples
24%: $95,376- $182,100 for singles and at $190,751-$364,200 for couples
32%: $182,101-$231,250 for singles, and $364,201- $462,500 for couples
The Standard Deduction Is Increasing
Filing your taxes may also have gotten simpler. The standard deduction – the amount you are entitled to claim without itemizing – increased to $13,850 for single files in 2023. For married couples filing jointly, the new deduction amount is $27,700. If you don't usually itemize, this is probably good news. However, if you do itemize, you may find that some of your regular deductions, such as gifts to charity, are no longer tax benefits.
One solution is to bunch your charitable gifts. "Bunching" refers to grouping donations intended for several years into a single year. This strategy is only effective if all your itemized deductions, including the bunched gifts, are more than the standard deduction.
Retirement and Healthcare Savings Contributions
Retirement savings contributions are getting a boost of almost 10% in 2023. The new maximum contribution limit is $22,500. The "catch-up" limit for people over 50 also increased to $7,500. The new limits don't just mean increased savings; they also lower your taxable income.
Flexible health spending accounts got a $200 boost, allowing you to contribute $3,050 of pre-tax dollars to this type of account to pay for medical costs that not covered by insurance.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have new maximum contributions, too. An individual can contribute up to $3,850, and the family contribution has risen to $7,750. These accounts are referred to as "triple-tax-advantaged" because you contribute pre-tax dollars that lower your taxable income in the year you contribute, the accounts grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are also not taxed.
It's Not All Good News
Social security benefits also increased, which may be good news for retirees. However, if you're still working, you're still paying into the system. Social security taxes are 6.2% of income, up to a maximum earnings ceiling. The limit increased by almost 9%, to $160,200 in 2023, from $147,000. This increase translates to a dollar amount of $9,932, up from $9,114 in 2022.
The Bottom Line
Elevated inflation is likely to be with us for a while longer. The Fed is working to dampen the economy to bring prices down, but a robust labor market and ongoing – although lessening – supply chain issues are pushing the other way. Taking advantage of the silver lining of inflation by maximizing tax-advantaged savings, and undertaking proactive tax-planning strategies, can help you keep your financial planning on track.
Ready to take control of your financial future? Schedule your free financial assessment and discover how working with a wealth management advisor is accessible and helpful in reaching your financial goals. Start building the future and wealth you deserve.
Did you find this post informative and valuable? Please consider sharing it with your friends, colleagues, and social media. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing helpful content. Click the share buttons below to quickly post on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or copy and paste the link to share anywhere you want. Thank you for being so supportive!
This work is powered by Advisor I/O under the Terms of Service and may be a derivative of the original.
The information contained herein is intended to be used for educational purposes only and is not exhaustive. Diversification and/or any strategy that may be discussed does not guarantee against investment losses but are intended to help manage risk and return. If applicable, historical discussions and/or opinions are not predictive of future events. The content is presented in good faith and has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The content is not intended to be legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult a legal, tax or financial professional for information specific to your individual situation.
This content not reviewed by FINRA
All views, expressions, and opinions included in this communication are subject to change. The information provided herein is not advice specific to you or your circumstances but instead general tips and education. None of the information contained herein is intended as investment, tax, or legal advice. Your use of the information is at your sole risk. Before considering acting on any information provided herein, you should consult your investment, tax, or legal advisor. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy, or the completeness of any description of securities, markets, or developments mentioned. We may, from time to time, have a position in the securities mentioned and may execute transactions that may not be consistent with this communication's conclusions. Our current disclosure brochure, Form ADV Part 2, is available for your review upon request and on our website.