As the year draws to a close, year-end financial planning can help you review important tax, retirement, investment, and charitable giving decisions before 2027 begins. From a financial planner’s perspective, the final months of the year are a valuable opportunity to step back, review what has changed, and make thoughtful adjustments before 2027 begins.

Here are five areas we encourage clients to review before year-end.

1. How Can I Make Charitable Giving More Strategic?

Charitable giving can support the causes you care about while also fitting into your broader tax and financial plan. Two strategies worth discussing with your financial and tax professionals are qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) and gifts of appreciated securities.

Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs): If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a direct transfer from an IRA to a qualifying charity. When properly completed, a QCD can be excluded from taxable income and may satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD).

Gifts of appreciated assets: Donating eligible appreciated securities directly to a charity may allow you to support the organization while potentially avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation. A donor-advised fund may also provide a flexible way to organize and manage charitable giving over time.

The right strategy depends on your charitable goals, tax situation, and overall financial plan.

Reference: IRS: Qualified Charitable Distributions

2. Should I Consider Tax-Loss Harvesting Before Year-End?

Before year-end, review realized gains and losses in your taxable investment accounts. Selling an investment at a loss may allow you to offset certain capital gains and potentially reduce your tax liability.

However, tax-loss harvesting should not be viewed as simply selling investments that have declined. From a planning perspective, we also consider whether the investment continues to fit your objectives, how a replacement investment may affect your portfolio, and the applicable tax rules, including the wash-sale rules.

A tax strategy should support the investment plan—not drive it.

Reference: IRS: Topic No. 409, Capital Gains and Losses

3. Should You Rebalance Your Investment Portfolio?

Market performance can cause your portfolio to drift from its intended asset allocation over time. If you have not reviewed or rebalanced your portfolio this year, year-end can be a good time to determine whether your current allocation still aligns with your goals, time horizon, income needs, and comfort with investment risk.

From a financial planning perspective, rebalancing is not simply about selling investments that have performed well and buying those that have lagged. It is about determining whether your portfolio still reflects the investment strategy designed to support your broader financial plan.

Rebalancing does not necessarily mean making major changes. Depending on your circumstances, relatively modest adjustments—or directing new contributions toward underweighted investments—may help bring your portfolio back in line with its intended allocation.

4. How Much Can You Contribute to Your Retirement Plan in 2026?

The final quarter is a useful time to confirm that your retirement savings remain on track and that you are taking full advantage of any available employer matching contribution.

For 2026, the employee contribution limit for most 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457 plans is $24,500. Individuals age 50 and older may generally contribute an additional $8,000, while those ages 60–63 may have a higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250, if the plan permits.

The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, with a generally available $1,100 catch-up contribution for individuals age 50 and older.

Beyond simply checking the contribution limit, consider whether your current savings rate is appropriate for your retirement goals, whether you are receiving the full employer match, and how your retirement contributions fit into your broader tax and income strategy.

Reference: IRS: 401(k) Limit Increases to $24,500 for 2026; IRA Limit Increases to $7,500

5. When Are Required Minimum Distributions Due?

If you are required to take required minimum distributions (RMDs), review the amount and confirm that the distribution will be completed by the applicable deadline.

For most individuals, RMDs must be taken by December 31 each year. If you are taking your first RMD, you generally have the option of delaying it until April 1 of the following year. However, doing so means you would generally need to take two RMDs in that following calendar year, which could affect your taxable income.

From a financial planning perspective, an RMD is more than a required transaction. It can be an opportunity to review how retirement income, taxes, charitable giving, and investment withdrawals work together.

For individuals who are eligible, a QCD may satisfy all or part of an RMD while supporting charitable goals.

Reference: IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)

A year-end review can uncover more than five opportunities

These five items are a starting point—not a complete year-end financial planning checklist. Depending on your circumstances, a year-end review may also include tax planning, estate planning, insurance coverage, college savings, business planning, or evaluating cash reserves and upcoming expenses.

The most important question is not simply, “What financial moves should I make before December 31?” It is, “What has changed this year, and does my financial plan still reflect where I am today and where I want to go?”

At Veridian Capital Partners, we believe thoughtful financial planning is an ongoing process. A year-end review can help bring your investments, retirement strategy, tax considerations, and long-term goals into alignment as you prepare for the year ahead.

If you would like to discuss how these considerations may fit into your broader financial plan, our team welcomes the conversation.

This article is for general informational purposes only and not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any Federal tax penalties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a representation by us of a specific investment or the purchase or sale of any securities. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.