5 Smart Year-End Money Moves to Make Now

Last updated November 4, 2026

The best year-end money moves are simple. Boost your retirement savings and spend your flexible spending account (FSA) balance. Then review investment losses, plan your giving and take any required withdrawals. Most of these must happen by December 31.

Miss the deadline, and some chances disappear for good. Start now, and you can finish them in an afternoon.

This guide is for information only and is not tax or financial advice. Tax rules and limits may change, so check with a tax professional before you act.

Key Takeaways

• You can put up to $24,500 into a 401(k) in 2026, plus catch-up money if you are 50 or older.
• Many flexible spending account (FSA) plans let you carry over only $680 into next year.
• Selling investments at a loss by December 31 can lower your 2026 taxes.
• Starting in 2026, people who skip itemizing can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts to charity.
• If you are 73 or older, your yearly individual retirement account (IRA) withdrawal is due by December 31.

In This Guide

• Why the Calendar Matters
• Move 1. Top Up Your Retirement Savings
• Move 2. Spend Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Money
• Move 3. Turn Investment Losses Into Tax Savings
• Move 4. Give to Charity the Smart Way
• Move 5. Take Your Required Withdrawal
• Bonus Move. Set Up Next Year
• Year-End Money Moves Outside the US
• Your Year-End Money Calendar

Why the Calendar Matters

Taxes run on a calendar year in the US. So most money choices for 2026 lock in at midnight on December 31.

After that, your 2026 tax return mostly reflects what already happened. A few things, like individual retirement account (IRA) deposits, get extra time. However, most do not.

Think of December as your last chance to shape this year’s money picture. A little planning now can mean a bigger refund or a smaller bill next spring.

Move 1. Top Up Your Retirement Savings

This is often the biggest year-end money move. A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan offered through your job. Every extra dollar in a traditional 401(k) can lower your taxable income for 2026.

The IRS raised the 401(k) limit to $24,500 for 2026. Workers 50 and older can add $8,000 more. People aged 60 to 63 get an even higher catch-up of $11,250.

Watch the Payroll Deadline

401(k) money comes straight from your paycheck. That means your real deadline is your last 2026 payday, not December 31.

Ask your HR team how to raise your contribution for the final paychecks. Even a small bump can add up.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Give You More Time

The individual retirement account (IRA) limit for 2026 is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older. Good news, you can still make 2026 individual retirement account (IRA) deposits until April 15, 2027 for most people.

Move 2. Spend Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Money

A flexible spending account, or FSA, lets you pay for health costs with pretax money. The catch is the “use it or lose it” rule.

For 2026, workers could put up to $3,400 in a health flexible spending account (FSA), as HealthEquity explains. Plans that allow a carryover can roll only up to $680 into next year.

Some plans offer a grace period instead. Check your plan rules today so you know your real deadline.

Smart Ways to Use It

• Book a dental cleaning or eye exam.
• Buy new glasses or contact lenses.
• Stock up on first-aid supplies and sunscreen.
• Refill prescriptions you will need soon.

What If You Have a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

A health savings account, or HSA, works differently. Your balance rolls over every year, so there is no rush to spend it.

In fact, many people let their health savings account (HSA) grow for future health costs. Just check that you have used your flexible spending account (FSA) first if you have both.

Move 3. Turn Investment Losses Into Tax Savings

Did some stocks or funds lose value this year? Selling them can create a loss that offsets your gains. Experts call this tax-loss harvesting.

If your losses are bigger than your gains, you can usually deduct up to $3,000 against other income. Extra losses carry forward to future years.

Here is a simple example. Say you gained $2,000 on one stock and lost $1,500 on another. Selling the loser cuts your taxable gain to just $500.

Beware the Wash Sale Rule

Timing matters here. A sale counts for 2026 only if it trades by December 31.

Also, do not buy the same investment back too soon. Investor.gov explains that buying it within 30 days before or after the sale wipes out the tax loss.

Move 4. Give to Charity the Smart Way

Charity rules changed for 2026. Most people take the standard deduction, so their gifts used to bring no tax break.

That is no longer true. Starting in 2026, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts. Married couples filing jointly can deduct up to $2,000, as TurboTax explains.

Itemizers face a new rule too. Only gifts above 0.5 percent of their income now count.

Think About Giving Stock

Do you own stock that has grown a lot in value? Giving those shares straight to a charity can be smarter than selling them first.

That way, you usually avoid paying tax on the gain. Meanwhile, the charity still gets the full value.

Keep Good Records

Give to qualified charities only, and save every receipt. Gifts must happen by December 31 to count for 2026.

Move 5. Take Your Required Withdrawal

Once you turn 73, the IRS makes you withdraw some money each year from most retirement accounts. These are called required minimum distributions, or RMDs.

For 2026, the deadline is December 31. In your first required minimum distribution (RMD) year, you can wait until April 1, 2027, as this checklist notes.

However, waiting means taking two withdrawals in 2027. That could push you into a higher tax bracket.

Are you 70 and a half or older? Then you can send individual retirement account (IRA) money straight to a charity. This qualified charitable distribution can count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). It also keeps that money out of your taxable income.

Bonus Move. Set Up Next Year

The end of the year is a great time to reset. A few quick steps now can make 2027 much easier.

• Review your benefits during open enrollment.
• Set a savings goal for each month of 2027.
• Build or top up an emergency fund.
• Schedule automatic transfers to savings.

New to saving? Our guide on how to invest $100 shows simple ways to start small.

• Raise your 401(k) amount for the last paychecks
• Check your flexible spending account (FSA) balance and plan deadline
• Review investments for losses before December 31
• Make charity gifts and save receipts
• Take your required minimum distribution (RMD) if you are 73 or older
• Set one savings goal for 2027

Year-End Money Moves Outside the US

The rules above are for US readers. Still, the same ideas work in many countries.

Tax years differ around the world. For example, the UK tax year ends on April 5, and Pakistan’s ends on June 30.

So find your own country’s deadline first. Then check local limits for retirement savings, tax breaks for giving and rules on investment losses.

Your Year-End Money Calendar

Use this table to see each deadline at a glance. Dates are for 2026 and may change, so confirm with your plan or tax pro.

Test Yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do with money at the end of the year?

Start with retirement savings and your flexible spending account (FSA), since those have strict deadlines. Then review investments and charity plans.

Can I still contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) for 2026 in January?

Yes. Most people can make 2026 individual retirement account (IRA) deposits until April 15, 2027.

What happens to unused flexible spending account (FSA) money?

It depends on your plan. You may lose it, carry over up to $680, or get a short grace period.

Is tax-loss harvesting worth it for small investors?

It can be, if you have gains to offset. Even small losses can trim your tax bill a little.

Your Next Step

Pick the two moves that fit you best and set a reminder for this week. Small actions now can save real money in April.

Next, if you want to put extra cash to work, read our guide to gold vs bitcoin before you choose.

Editor’s Note

This guide is accurate as of November 4, 2026. Tax limits, deadlines and plan rules may change, and your situation may differ.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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