Most people think a charitable deduction comes from writing the check. To the IRS, it comes from the paperwork. A gift can be completely genuine and still be denied if you can’t prove it. With Giving Tuesday on December 1 and year-end about three months away, now is the time to set up your records, not next April. Step 1: Confirm the Charity Qualifies • Only gifts to qualified organizations are deductible. Check any charity you’re unsure about using the IRS Tax Exempt Org

FSA and HSA can be used for medical bills. As the year comes to a close, many taxpayers focus on filing deadlines and overlook one of the simplest ways to reduce their tax bill: properly funding their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). These accounts offer powerful tax advantages, but only when eligibility rules and deadlines are clearly understood. Health Savings Accounts are available to individuals enrolled in a qualifying high deductible heal