Year-End Tax Planning

Tax Planning Conversations: A Focus on OBBBA-Related Changes

As you and your advisors review year-end tax decisions, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will no doubt play a major role in the discussion.
Nov 18, 2025  |  3 minute read
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The OBBBA’s far-reaching changes touch many areas of tax planning, especially certain timing strategies and estate and gift planning, including charitable contributions.

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  • Year-End Tax Planning
    November 2025

Top Considerations for Tax Year 2025


Here are some of the common topics advisors plan to discuss with their clients in upcoming year-end conversations given recent changes under the OBBBA:

  • Charitable giving changes will start in 2026, including a lower cap on the benefits of itemized deductions and a new AGI floor. (More on this below)
  • The state and local tax (SALT) deduction increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for tax years 2025-2029.
  • The substantial reduction of the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption was canceled.
  • The 100% bonus depreciation is reinstated for eligible property acquired after January 19, 2025.
  • Expanded 529 account rules could make the education savings vehicles a more attractive option for gifting.


The OBBBA’s impact on charitable giving

 

Our teams are receiving a high number of questions about charitable giving strategies, given the impending changes that go into effect in 2026.

  • Lower cap (35% in 2026) on the benefit of itemized deductions. For taxpayers in the highest tax bracket, this cap means only $0.35 per dollar of an itemized deduction can be realized.
  • New adjusted gross income (AGI) 0.5% floor on charitable donations for taxpayers who itemize. Only the portion of charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of AGI will be deductible.

For impacted taxpayers, accelerating deductions to 2025 can help you take advantage of the higher itemized deduction cap (37%)—and donations made before 2026 avoid the 0.5% AGI floor. Taxpayers looking to capitalize on 2025 levels could also consider bunching charitable contributions. This is often done by using a donor advised fund (DAF) which allows you to fund and realize the tax benefits of a larger donation in one year, but disperse it to charities in subsequent years.

For taxpayers who take the standard deduction, there is a new charitable deduction—$1,000 for single filers, $2,000 for joint filers—beginning in 2026. This allows a taxpayer to take the standard deduction and still benefit from this new deduction.

For more information on navigating charitable giving post-OBBBA, please refer to these additional insights from our Tax Policy & Research team.

  • Our Year-End Tax Planning Guide
    For a comprehensive review of the topics you may want to discuss with your tax, estate, and wealth advisors heading into year end, review our guide with insights into the 2025 tax landscape and key tax planning strategies.

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Advisory services offered by Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P. (the “Adviser”), a registered investment adviser, affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC ("GS&Co."), and a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management, and financial services organization. Goldman Sachs Ayco is a brand of Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P. Brokerage services are offered through GS&Co. and Mercer Allied Company, L.P. (a limited purpose broker-dealer), both affiliates of the Adviser and members FINRA/SIPC.