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Essential Year-End Tax Strategies for Land O'Lakes Employees: What You Need to Know Before 2023

Here are some things for Land O'Lakes employees and retirees to consider as they weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year.

1. Defer income to next year
Land O'Lakes employees must consider opportunities to defer income to 2023, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a year-end bonus or delay the collection of business debts, rent, and payments for services. As a Land O'Lakes employee, doing so may enable you to postpone payment of tax on the income until next year.

2. Accelerate deductions
Land O'Lakes employees and retirees should also look for opportunities to accelerate deductions into the current tax year. If you itemize deductions, making payments for deductible expenses such as medical expenses, qualifying interest, and state taxes before the end of the year (instead of paying them in early 2023) could make a difference on your 2022 return.

3. Make deductible charitable contributions
As a Land O'Lakes employee, if you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you can generally deduct charitable contributions, but the deduction is limited to 50% (currently increased to 60% for cash contributions to public charities), 30%, or 20% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), depending on the type of property you give and the type of organization to which you contribute. (Excess amounts can be carried over for up to five years.)

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4. Bump up withholding to cover a tax shortfall
As a Land O'Lakes employee, if it looks as though you will owe federal income tax for the year, consider increasing your withholding on Form W-4 for the remainder of the year to cover the shortfall. Time may be limited for Land O'Lakes employees to request a Form W-4 change and for their employers from Land O'Lakes to implement it in time for 2022. The biggest advantage in doing so is that withholding is considered as having been paid evenly throughout the year instead of when the dollars are actually taken from your paycheck. This strategy can be implemented by Land O'Lakes employees to make up for low or missing quarterly estimated tax payments.

5. Save more for retirement
Deductible contributions to a traditional IRA and pre-tax contributions to a Land O'Lakes-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) can reduce your 2022 taxable income. As a fortune 500 employee, if you haven't already contributed up to the maximum amount allowed, consider doing so. For 2022, Land O'Lakes employees can contribute up to $20,500 to a 401(k) plan ($27,000 if you're age 50 or older) and up to $6,000 to traditional and Roth IRAs combined ($7,000 if you're age 50 or older).* The window to make 2022 contributions to a Land O'Lakes-sponsored plan generally closes at the end of the year, while you have until April 18, 2023, to make 2022 IRA contributions.

*Roth contributions are not deductible, but Roth-qualified distributions are not taxable.

6. Take the required minimum distributions
If you are a Land O'Lakes employee age 72 or older, you generally must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and Land O'Lakes-sponsored retirement plans (special rules apply if you're still working and participating in Land O'Lakes's retirement plan). You have to make the withdrawals by the date required — the end of the year for most individuals. The penalty for failing to do so is substantial: 50% of the amount that wasn't distributed on time. As a fortune 500 employee, making these distributions in a timely manner is essential as to avoid the late penalty.

7. Weigh year-end investment moves
Land O'Lakes employees and retirees shouldn't let tax considerations drive investment decisions. However, it's worth considering the tax implications of any year-end investment moves that you make. For example, if you have realized net capital gains from selling securities at a profit, you might avoid being taxed on some or all of those gains by selling losing positions. As a Land O'Lakes employee, any losses over and above the number of your gains can be used to offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500 if your filing status is married filing separately) or carried forward to reduce your taxes in future years.

Tags: Financial Planning , Tax , Retirement , 2022

What is the 401(k) plan offered by Land O'Lakes?

The 401(k) plan at Land O'Lakes is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.

How does Land O'Lakes match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Land O'Lakes offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, typically matching a percentage of employee contributions up to a certain limit.

What types of investment options are available in the Land O'Lakes 401(k) plan?

The Land O'Lakes 401(k) plan provides a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.

Can employees at Land O'Lakes take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Land O'Lakes allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to certain terms and conditions.

When can employees at Land O'Lakes start contributing to the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Land O'Lakes can start contributing to the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of employment, typically within the first few months.

What is the vesting schedule for Land O'Lakes' 401(k) matching contributions?

The vesting schedule for Land O'Lakes' 401(k) matching contributions varies, but employees generally become fully vested after a certain number of years of service.

How can employees at Land O'Lakes access their 401(k) account information?

Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the Land O'Lakes employee portal or by contacting the plan administrator.

Are there any fees associated with the Land O'Lakes 401(k) plan?

Yes, the Land O'Lakes 401(k) plan may have administrative fees and investment-related fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Land O'Lakes?

If an employee leaves Land O'Lakes, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) savings to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Land O'Lakes plan if permitted.

Does Land O'Lakes offer financial education resources for employees regarding the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Land O'Lakes provides financial education resources and workshops to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed investment decisions.