The Planning Corner: Year-End Financial Planning Speed Round
Nov 11 2026 | Back to Blog List
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
David Ernst: I'm David Ernst, partner at Cedar Point Capital Partners, here with our director of financial planning, Nick Timm. Today is our year-end speed round; here are five financial moves you can make that run out December 31st, and Nick gets one breath per answer. Are you ready?
Nick Timm: Let's do it.
David: Clock starts now. Roth conversions, go.
Nick: Move pre-tax IRAs to Roth IRAs taxed this year. Those are good for lower income years when you pay less tax.
David: Gain and loss harvesting.
Nick: Sell losses to offset gains and up to $3,000 of income. If you're at a low enough bracket, your long-term capital gains may actually be at a 0% rate.
David: RMDs—don't blink.
Nick: If you’re RMD age, make sure to take that distribution before the end of the year. Inherited IRAs may have RMDs as well.
David: Qualified charitable distributions.
Nick: 70 and a half. If you send a distribution directly to a qualified charity, can count against your RMDs, if you have one. It's not taxed as income.
David: And lastly, the new deduction.
Nick: You can take a $1,000 deduction for cash to a qualified charity, $2,000 if you're married filing jointly, even without itemizing.
David. And time!
Nick: Five for five.
David: If year-end sneaks up on you, then start in November. If you'd like help putting together your year-end planning with a broader plan, you can learn more and connect with us at cedarpointcap.com.
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