magellan_nh
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2006
- Messages
- 142
I've read columns about being able to bunch itemized deductions such that every other year you alternate between taking the standard deduction and itemizing.
As I understand it, the main expense that can be bunched is the property tax payment. By paying the December bill a couple of weeks late, you can move the expense into the next year. In the following year, you can pay on time so you get three payments in one year and one in the following year (assuming a 6 month tax cycle). I've even heard you can pay ahead 6 months so you effectively put 2 years of property tax into one year.
Does anyone know the rules for this and has anyone done it? Also, are there any other (legal) tricks that help with this bunching strategy?
Jim
As I understand it, the main expense that can be bunched is the property tax payment. By paying the December bill a couple of weeks late, you can move the expense into the next year. In the following year, you can pay on time so you get three payments in one year and one in the following year (assuming a 6 month tax cycle). I've even heard you can pay ahead 6 months so you effectively put 2 years of property tax into one year.
Does anyone know the rules for this and has anyone done it? Also, are there any other (legal) tricks that help with this bunching strategy?
Jim