Year-End Money Checklist 2026

The checklist

Tick off what you've done, or narrow the list to what applies to you. Each item links to the source or to a calculator that does the math.

Show what applies to me

I'm paid through payroll (W-2) I'm self-employed or buy my own insurance I'm 65+ (or helping a parent who is) I invest in a taxable account I give to charity or family Health accounts and insurance Retirement accounts

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1. Oct 15 – Dec 7 Medicare open enrollment

   If you or a parent are on Medicare, compare 2027 plans before December 7 (CMS).

2. Employer deadline Choose next year's benefits

   Pick a health plan, set your FSA amount (only what you'll surely spend) and HSA contribution. The 2027 HSA limit is $4,500 self-only / $9,000 family. HSA vs FSA calculator.

3. Nov 1 – Dec 15 Buying your own health insurance?

   Enroll on HealthCare.gov by December 15 for coverage from January 1 (open enrollment runs to January 15). Enhanced premium credits expired after 2025, so re-check your price (HealthCare.gov).

4. By your last paycheck Max out your 401(k)

   401(k) money must come out of a 2026 paycheck: up to $24,500, plus $8,000 at 50+ or $11,250 at 60–63. Changing your rate can take a pay cycle or two. 401(k) max-out calculator.

5. Dec 31 Spend your FSA

   Use 2026 health FSA money unless your plan has a grace period; up to $680 can carry over if your plan allows (IRS).

6. Dec 31 Give to charity — new rules for 2026

   From 2026, people who take the standard deduction can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) of cash gifts to charities, but not to donor-advised funds (IRS Publication 6196). If you itemize, only gifts above 0.5% of your income count, and top-bracket itemized deductions are trimmed by up to 2/37 (The Tax Adviser).

7. Dec 31 Take required minimum distributions

   If you're 73 or older, take this year's RMD by December 31 (your first one can wait until April 1, and a current employer's 401(k) can usually wait until you retire) (IRS). A qualified charitable distribution of up to $111,000 from an IRA counts toward it.

8. Dec 31 Harvest losses (or gains)

   Selling investments at a loss in a taxable account can offset gains; don't buy the same thing back within 30 days before or after (Investor.gov). In a low-income year, gains may be taxed at 0% up to $49,450 single or $98,900 joint taxable income (IRS).

9. Dec 31 Make annual gifts

   You can give up to $19,000 per person in 2026 without filing a gift tax return (IRS).

10. Before year end Turning 65? Count the new senior deduction

    For 2025–2028, people 65 and older get an extra $6,000 deduction each, reduced above $75,000 of income ($150,000 joint) (IRS). It may mean you need less withheld. W-4 calculator.

11. December Check withholding and set your 2027 W-4

    A quick check now avoids a surprise bill in April. If you earned tips or overtime, keep your records for the new federal deductions. W-4 calculator.

12. December Estimate your refund

    See where you stand for 2026 while there's still time to change it. Tax refund calculator.

13. Year-end bonus Know what your bonus will really pay

    Bonuses are often withheld at a flat 22% federal rate; some states have their own rate. You can also direct part of a bonus to your 401(k). Bonus tax calculator.

14. Jan 15, 2027 Last 2026 estimated tax payment

    Self-employed or with untaxed income? The fourth payment is due January 15, 2027 — or skip it by filing and paying in full by February 1, 2027 (Form 1040-ES). Quarterly tax calculator.

15. Apr 15, 2027 IRA and HSA contributions for 2026

    You can still contribute to an IRA (up to $7,500, or $8,600 at 50+) and an HSA for 2026 until the April 15 filing deadline (IRS; Publication 969).

What's new for 2026

The 2025 tax law changed several year-end decisions. Many checklists we reviewed still used 2025 numbers or left these out:

If you'd planned to itemize, note the SALT figure: several sources still quote $40,000 for 2026, but the IRS corrected it to $40,400 (IRS correction).

Retirement: 401(k), IRA and RMDs

401(k) deferrals have a hard December 31 deadline because they come out of paychecks; IRAs and HSAs can be funded for 2026 until April 15, 2027. To reach the $24,500 limit, divide what's left by your remaining paychecks — the 401(k) max-out calculator does that, rounds to a whole percent and warns if maxing out early would cost you employer match. If you're 73 or older, take your required minimum distribution by December 31 (IRS).

Health: open enrollment, FSA and HSA

Open enrollment is the one time a year most people can change health plans and set FSA amounts. Put into a health FSA only what you're sure to spend, plus any carryover your plan allows ($680 from 2026 into 2027). For an HSA, contributions can be changed any time, and the 2027 limits are already final. Our HSA vs FSA calculator shows your tax saving with your state's rules and how much FSA money is at risk.

Charitable giving under the 2026 rules

Most people take the standard deduction, and from 2026 they can deduct cash gifts of up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) anyway (IRS Publication 6196). Gifts must go to qualifying public charities, not donor-advised funds, and you'll need records. If you itemize, gifts count only above 0.5% of your income, and for people in the 37% bracket the value of itemized deductions is trimmed by up to 2/37 (The Tax Adviser). If you're 70½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA (up to $111,000 in 2026) can be more tax-efficient than a cash gift.

Taxes: withholding, deductions and investments

• Withholding: check now with the W-4 calculator so a December paycheck can fix a shortfall, and set your 2027 W-4.
• Tips and overtime: keep records for the new 2025–2028 federal deductions; the tips and overtime calculator estimates them.
• Investments: harvest losses before December 31 but avoid repurchasing the same investment within 30 days (Investor.gov).
• Estimated tax: the last 2026 payment is due January 15, 2027 (Form 1040-ES); see the quarterly tax calculator.
• Next year: see the projected 2027 tax brackets and 2027 contribution limits.

Common questions

What's the deadline to contribute to a 401(k) for 2026?

Your last 2026 paycheck. 401(k) deferrals can't be made after December 31 for that year.

Can I still contribute to an IRA or HSA for 2026 in 2027?

Yes, until April 15, 2027 (the filing deadline, without extensions). Tell the provider the contribution is for 2026.

Do I need to itemize to deduct charitable gifts in 2026?

No. From 2026, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) of cash gifts to qualifying charities.

When is Medicare open enrollment?

October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.

What happens to unused FSA money?

It's forfeited, except for a carryover (up to $680 from 2026) or a grace period of up to 2½ months, if your plan offers one.

Sources

1. 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (IR-2025-111) — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
2. Notice 2025-67: 2026 limitations for retirement plans — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
3. IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (IR-2025-103; Rev. Proc. 2025-32) — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
4. Publication 969: Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
5. Treasury, IRS provide guidance on new tax benefits for health savings account participants (IR-2025-119; Notice 2026-5) — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
6. 2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D landscape: state-by-state fact sheets — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Accessed October 14, 2026.
7. Dates and deadlines for 2027 health insurance — HealthCare.gov. Accessed October 14, 2026.
8. Publication 6196: Charitable contribution deduction tips for non-itemizers — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
9. Planning for new charitable contribution limits — The Tax Adviser (AICPA). Accessed October 14, 2026. Secondary source (July 31, 2026).
10. Correction to state and local income tax deduction amount in the 2026 Form 1040-ES — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
11. Check your eligibility for the new enhanced deduction for seniors — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
12. RMD comparison chart (IRAs vs. defined contribution plans) — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
13. Wash sales — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Investor.gov. Accessed October 14, 2026.
14. Form 1040-ES (2026): Estimated tax for individuals — Internal Revenue Service. Accessed October 14, 2026.
15. Dependent care FSA limit increased to $7,500 for 2026 — Hill Ward Henderson. Accessed October 14, 2026. Secondary source.

Research checked October 14, 2026. This is general information, not tax advice.