Event Description

With major tax changes expected to take effect under the 2025 reform bill, the 2026 filing season will bring a new wave of planning opportunities—and potential pitfalls. This course focuses on how tax professionals can use Form 1040 as a planning tool, incorporating both current law and the likely provisions of the new legislation. We’ll cover the most impactful changes affecting individual filers, while still providing strategies that work even if portions of the bill are delayed or adjusted.

Participants will walk through the core components of Form 1040 to identify ways to reduce tax liability, manage AGI, and optimize planning for retirement, education, small businesses, and high-income clients. The course also highlights strategies around the Alternative Minimum Tax and other sections likely affected by the new law.

Designed For

CPAs, EAs, attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, and bankers

Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify planning opportunities using current and expected 2025 tax law changes
• Analyze Form 1040 line-by-line for areas of client savings and exposure
• Apply AGI management strategies to optimize deductions and credits
• Evaluate updated rules for Roth IRAs, retirement planning, and AMT exposure
• Utilize HSAs and 529 plans under current and projected contribution limits
• Recommend tax-efficient approaches for real estate and small business owners
• Recognize key changes affecting charitable contributions and income shifting
• Integrate estate and income tax strategies in light of updated exemption levels

Major Subjects

• 2025 tax reform and its effect on individual planning
• Adjusted Gross Income: planning levers and phaseouts
• Health Savings Accounts and Section 529 planning strategies
• AMT strategies with updated exemption thresholds
• Roth IRA conversions and retirement optimization
• Charitable giving under new and existing tax rules
• Tax planning for real estate investors and small business owners
• Coordinating estate and income tax strategies
• Shifting income to children and evaluating updated kiddie tax rules