Tax Bill Causing A Year-End Frenzy To Pre-Pay 2018 Property Taxes

The newly passed Republican tax bill is creating end-of-year confusion and anxiety for homeowners. With just a few days left in 2017, many are in a frenzy trying to figure out how they can pay some of their 2018 property taxes now to save money once the bill goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018.

The new tax bill caps the amount you can deduct for state, local, and property taxes at 10,000.nbsp; Thats going to hit hard in states such as California, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey - states where the average state and local deductions in 2015 all topped 17,000," said the Houston Chronicle. "In New Jersey, the average property tax bill alone was nearly 8,300 last year and there are scores of towns where the average bill is above the 10,000 threshold."

Can you really pre-pay your 2018 taxes?

In some jurisdictions, prepayment has been allowed for years, although, "Others are scrambling, working to ensure that those who want to pre-pay can mdash; even if the jurisdiction cant necessarily guarantee the pre-payment will be deductible, said CNN Money."

Thats because the IRS has has not ruled on whether prepayments for 2018 taxes will be deductible on 2017 tax returns. But, that hasnt stopped some jurisdictions from trying to help.

According to the Washington Post, "The Montgomery County Council broke its winter recess Tuesday to pass a bill allowing residents to prepay 2018 property taxes, a last-minute chance for homeowners in Marylands largest jurisdiction to mitigate the impact of a new federal cap on tax deductions."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order Friday "allowing for partial payments on 2018 property taxes, which could help some looking to at least pay off some of the 2018 bill in 2017," said the Democrat and Chronicle. "Theres a state law now that does not allow partial prepayment and we are going to suspend that law through the emergency executive order until Jan. 2," he said.

The publication added that, "Counties and towns in New York are scrambling to get their property-tax bills out to give people a chance to pay before the new federal income-tax overhaul takes effect."

Homeowners lining up

Newsday reported that ldquo;Thousands of Long Island property owners are rushing to prepay their second-half school taxes, as well as their general taxes, before the year ends on Sunday.

Similar trends are being seen across the country. In Minnesota," Counties throughout Southeast Minnesota are reporting a surge in early payments in an effort to cash in - for one final year - on a deduction that the coming federal tax overhaul will limit," said the Post Bulletin. While, in Tampa, the Florida Tax Collectors Association crushed homeowners dreams by issuing a memo that read, "No, 2018 taxes may not be prepaid in 2017 in Florida because prepaid installments may only be made once the current years tax roll is open for collection," said the Tampa Bay Times.

In Contra Costa County, CA, "Some taxpayers have been disappointed that they cant make an even larger payment now on their 2018 bills in order to deduct more on their 2017 federal taxes," said The Mercury News. "But thats just not possible,"nbsp; officials around the region stress.nbsp; Russell Watts, treasurer-tax collector of the county told them that, "We couldnt magically create these 2018 bills so these people have a place to park their money.nbsp; Our system wouldnt be able to handle receiving these payments."

California homeowners can, however, pay "the last installments of your 2017 taxes - which are not due until next year - before 2018. If you itemize, doing so could save you big money on your federal tax bill this year," said The Mercury News. "California taxpayers pay their property taxes in two installments, due in December and April. Conventional wisdom has long held that its better to wait to give your money to the taxman, and many people dont pay until the deadline. But thats not necessarily the best plan this year. Paying that second installment by Dec. 31 could make a substantial difference: If you own a 1 million home, for example, you could save more than 1,000. With a one percent property tax rate, you would owe 10,000 annually, or 5,000 due in April. If youre in a 25 percent tax bracket, that equals a 1,250 deduction that could be lost if you wait until 2018."

So how do you know what you can do?

You have a few days left to consult your tax professional to find out what the best strategies are for your financial situation and your location and make any potential moves before the New year.

"Theres no one-size-fits-all strategy," Edward Arcara, a Buffalo accountant who heads the New York chapter of the National Association of Tax Professionals, told the Democrat and Chronicle. "Tax professionals have to look at everything on a case-by-case basis. It depends on what your situation is."