✅ Income Review
-
☐ Gather all 2025 income documents (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, retirement statements)
-
☐ Identify one-time or unusual income (bonuses, asset sales, distributions)
-
☐ Confirm income matches what was expected during the year
-
☐ Note any income spikes that may trigger phaseouts or higher Medicare costs
- Georgia offers certain retirement income exclusions, but timing errors or excess income can reduce or eliminate them. Review carefully before filing.
- Utah’s flat income tax means federal income planning drives most of the outcome. Federal surprises usually flow straight through to Utah taxes.
✅ Withholding & Estimated Taxes
-
☐ Compare total withholding and estimates to actual 2025 tax liability
-
☐ Identify any underpayment or overpayment
-
☐ Adjust 2026 withholding or estimates to avoid repeating issues
-
☐ Confirm extension payments were applied correctly (if applicable)
- Georgia penalties often mirror federal issues — fixing withholding now prevents state and federal penalties later.
- Utah penalties are often avoidable if federal estimates are accurate. Federal underpayments usually signal Utah underpayments as well.