Most of us see the end of tax season as a big relief. The return-related commercials interrupting your favorite TV shows, the endless paper forms in your physical mailbox, and the repetition of your CPA’s name in your email inbox — hounding you for last-minute receipts — all come to a halt.

But this “downtime” may be the best time to get ahead on tax planning strategies you might otherwise forget about until it’s too late. In fact, some of these methods might simply not have been on your radar in the first place.

While this approach can be fruitful every tax year, this year is a tad different — and may offer even more rewards. With the recent tax changes outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, along with the “rolling” provisions introduced yearly from 2022 through 2033 under SECURE 2.0, you could be leaving a huge chunk of savings on the table. And the earlier you explore your options, the bigger the difference they can make.

Below, we’ll touch on two tax moves that are worth thinking over, even during this time of year when taxes are the last thing on your mind.

Taking Advantage of Expanded Workplace Roth Options

Roth accounts, while tax-efficient, come with restrictions, such as income phaseouts for higher-wage earners and annual contribution limits. While there are some (legal) ways to circumvent these regulations, such as backdoor Roths and Roth conversions, they can require a lot of planning to successfully execute the strategy.

However, some taxpayers can now exceed the regular Roth IRA restrictions by far — and a lot more easily. Under the new legislation mentioned above, more working individuals have the option to contribute up to the annual deferral limit ($24,500 in 2026) to a Roth 401(k), Roth 403(b), or Roth 457(b). Factoring in the catch-up contributions for those aged 50 and older, you may now have the opportunity to put away up to $35,000 or more annually in a workplace Roth account. Tax-savings-minded business owners may be the biggest fans of this expansion, as Roth SEP IRA limits can reach up to $72,000 in 2026.

Talk about an upgrade from that measly $7,000 regular limit.

The best part? Distributions from a Roth IRA are completely tax-free if the account meets qualified withdrawal status, making them a great retirement income source as well as an easy asset to pass down to heirs.

Maximizing Your Joint Filing Status as Married Retirees

Taxpayers view their MFJ (Married Filing Jointly) filing statuses in myriad ways. For some, it’s just a check-the-box item. For others, it helps them remain in their in-laws’ good favor. And for the tax-savvy, planning around it allows them to increase their tax savings.

But what if we were to look at the MFJ filing status from an income distribution standpoint for married retirees? This group, if thinking proactively, can potentially save thousands of dollars over the years.

Married taxpayers over 65 who file jointly can earn up to $148,300 of taxable income (including the standard and newly introduced senior deduction) in 2026 before they move to the next tax bracket (which is a big jump, all the way from 12% to 22%). One strategy to consider is taking distributions from a tax-deferred account such as an IRA or workplace retirement account until you hit the upper limit of the tax bracket.

Even if you don’t need the money immediately, you can redirect the funds to a Roth (via a conversion) to achieve tax-free growth, income recharacterization, eliminate upcoming Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for yourself, and even create tax advantages for any heirs who may inherit the account.

If that same taxpayer filed Single or MFS, they’d be in the 24% tax bracket, two jump-ups from the 12% bracket, and would pay nearly double the tax on the same distribution. In other words,using just this one strategy, you could achieve tax advantages that can typically only be reached through multi-layered planning approaches.

At Felton & Peel, we know the best tax planning isn’t left until the last minute when filing season arrives. The months after tax season can be one of the best times to step back, review your options, and make intentional moves before year-end pressure sets in. Sometimes, simply identifying the strategies is the first step to achieving a long-lasting, tax-efficient lifestyle. We’re here to help — and your first consultation is on us.

*Please consult with your tax advisor before implementing any particular tax strategy.