5 Tax Moves Every Houston Professional Should Make Before April 15
Shankar Subramanian, CPAFrom filling up your IRA to checking your withholding, here are five simple steps that can lower your tax bill for 2026. Some take less than 10 minutes.
You still have time to lower your 2026 tax bill after the year ends. These five moves can be done up to the filing deadline of April 15, 2027.
1. Put money in your IRA
You can make a 2026 IRA contribution until April 15, 2027. The 2026 limit is $7,500, plus $1,100 more if you are 50 or older.
A traditional IRA may be deductible, depending on your income and whether you have a retirement plan at work. A Roth IRA is not deductible, but it grows tax-free. If your income is too high for a direct Roth contribution, ask us about a "backdoor" Roth.
2. Fill up your HSA
If you had a high deductible health plan in 2026, you can add to your health savings account until April 15, 2027. The 2026 limits are $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, plus $1,000 if you are 55 or older. HSA money goes in tax-free, grows tax-free, and comes out tax-free for medical costs.
3. If you work for yourself, open a SEP IRA
A SEP IRA can be opened and funded up until your filing deadline, including extensions. If you are a sole owner, you can put in roughly 20% of your net self-employment profit, up to a high yearly limit (25% of salary if your own corporation pays you a W-2). For many sole owners, this is the biggest deduction still available after the year ends.
4. Check your withholding for this year
A big refund means you lent the IRS money for free. A big bill can mean a penalty. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, then update your W-4 with your employer. This matters most if you got a raise, a bonus, or stock that vested last year.
5. Get your papers together early
Common forms to gather:
- W-2s from every job
- 1099s for freelance work, interest, dividends, and stock sales
- Your broker's supplemental cost basis statements for RSUs and ESPP shares
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest, and property tax statements
- Records of charitable gifts
A Texas note
Texas has no state income tax, which keeps things simpler. Property taxes are a different story. If you bought a home, make sure you have filed for your homestead exemption with your county appraisal district (for Harris County, that is HCAD). It can lower your property tax bill every year.
Want us to check whether you are leaving money on the table? Book a free call.
Sources: IRS news release on 2026 retirement plan limits, IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-19 (HSA limits), and IRS Publication 560.
Want help with this?
Book a free 30 minute call with Shankar. We will look at your numbers and make a plan that fits you.
