New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Essential Year-End Tax Strategies for Spirit Airlines Employees: What You Need to Know Before 2023

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines provides its employees with comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. While specific carriers are not publicly disclosed, the company offers a variety of plan options designed to meet different employee needs, often including high-deductible and traditional plans paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Spirit also provides wellness programs and resources to support employee health and preventive care. (spirit.com) Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 Looking ahead to 2026, healthcare costs are expected to rise sharply, with some states seeing premium increases exceeding 60% due to the potential expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies and rising medical costs. For employers like Spirit Airlines, this may translate to higher premiums for both the company and employees. Employees could face larger out-of-pocket expenses, making it increasingly important to maximize in-network care, leverage HSAs, and plan healthcare usage strategically in 2025 to mitigate the impact of next years cost increases. Click here to learn more

Here are some things for Spirit Airlines 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
Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines employee, doing so may enable you to postpone payment of tax on the income until next year.

2. Accelerate deductions
Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines employees to request a Form W-4 change and for their employers from Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines-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, Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines-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 Spirit Airlines employee age 72 or older, you generally must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and Spirit Airlines-sponsored retirement plans (special rules apply if you're still working and participating in Spirit Airlines'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
Spirit Airlines 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 Spirit Airlines 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 type of retirement savings plan does Spirit Airlines offer to its employees?

Spirit Airlines offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

Does Spirit Airlines match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Spirit Airlines provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) plans, subject to certain limits.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in the Spirit Airlines 401(k) plan?

Employees of Spirit Airlines are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specific period of service, typically within the first year of employment.

Can employees of Spirit Airlines choose how much to contribute to their 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees can choose to contribute a percentage of their salary to the Spirit Airlines 401(k) plan, within IRS limits.

What investment options are available in the Spirit Airlines 401(k) plan?

The Spirit Airlines 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds.

How often can Spirit Airlines employees change their 401(k) contribution amounts?

Employees of Spirit Airlines can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to plan rules.

Is there a vesting schedule for the matching contributions made by Spirit Airlines?

Yes, Spirit Airlines has a vesting schedule for matching contributions, which means employees must work for a certain period before they fully own those funds.

Can Spirit Airlines employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, the Spirit Airlines 401(k) plan allows employees to take loans against their savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Spirit Airlines?

If an employee leaves Spirit Airlines, they can roll over their 401(k) savings into another retirement account or withdraw the funds, subject to penalties and taxes.

How can Spirit Airlines employees access information about their 401(k) accounts?

Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the Spirit Airlines benefits portal or by contacting the plan administrator.