By Norman MacQueen, MBA 

Filing your taxes often comes with a sigh of relief. It’s understandable to want to take a break for a bit, but don’t forget about the post-tax season opportunities that may be in front of you. 

When you have a clear plan, you may be able to reduce your 2026 tax liability, strengthen your investments, and improve your overall financial health. Here are six key post-tax season opportunities to consider:

1. Adjusting Your Withholding

Did you owe more than you expected in 2026? Or did you receive an unexpectedly large refund? In either case, it’s worth making some adjustments to your withholding or estimated tax payments.

Adjusting withholding or estimated tax payments is one of the simpler post-tax season opportunities, but it can go a long way toward making next year’s taxes far less stressful.

2. Using Your Refund Wisely

If you received a tax refund in 2026, consider putting that refund toward your financial goals. For instance, perhaps your emergency fund isn’t as robust as you’d like. Using your 2026 refund to strengthen it is a significant post-tax season opportunity. 

If you have high-interest debt you’re trying to get rid of, your 2026 refund could make a difference here too. 

3. Leveraging 2026 Retirement Contribution Maximums

I encourage all my clients to max out their retirement contributions. Annual maximums are adjusted for inflation, so if you haven’t already, consider making a plan to contribute the maximum amount for 2026.

If you have a 401(k), a 403(b), or a 457(b) plan, here are the maximum contributions you can make:

• Standard: $24,500
• Catch-up (age 50-59 or 64+): Additional $8,000
• Super catch-up (ages 60-63): Additional $11,250

If you earn more than $150,000 in W-2 wages from your employer in 2026, all catch-up and super catch-up contributions must be made on a Roth basis.

If you have an individual retirement account (IRA), the maximum standard and catch-up contributions you can make include:

• Standard: $7,500
• Catch-up: Additional $1,100

Unlike 401(k)s and similar plans, IRAs don’t offer a super catch-up option.

4. Making the Most of 2026 HSA Maximums

Health savings accounts (HSAs) offer a triple tax advantage: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free qualified withdrawals. In 2026, individuals may contribute up to $4,400 to an HSA, and families may contribute up to $8,750.

5. Reviewing Asset Allocation

While you’re searching for post-tax season opportunities, take a moment to look at your overall asset allocation. Are your current investments in line with your long-term objectives? If not, it might be time for a change. Our advisory team can help you refine your investment strategy to better suit your needs.

6. Updating Your Beneficiaries

Any solid estate plan involves periodically reviewing and updating beneficiary designations. If you’re already looking closely at your finances in search of post-tax season opportunities, this might be a good time to check the beneficiary designations on your retirement accounts and life insurance policies.

Many people don’t realize that a beneficiary designation on an account can override what other estate planning documents say. If you remarry and update those documents without changing beneficiary designations on your accounts, your former spouse may inherit your hard-earned assets.

Want to Discover Even More Post-Tax Season Opportunities?

Tax season might be over, but smart tax planning is a year-round endeavor. If you want to identify as many post-tax season opportunities as possible, it helps to partner with an experienced advisor.

At Thrive Wealth Management, LLC, we work with each client to create an individualized financial plan. Your best interests are our top priority. When your money and your long-term goals are in alignment, you can move forward with confidence and purpose.

If you want to learn more about us and how we may be able to help you take advantage of post-tax season opportunities, contact us online today. To schedule a meeting, call (215) 376-5530 or email norman@thrivewealth.com. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after tax season to improve my finances for next year?

A great post-tax season opportunity is reviewing what this year’s tax return revealed. If you owed more than expected or received a large refund, adjusting your withholding may help. You can also use this time to increase retirement contributions, strengthen your emergency fund, review your investment allocation, and update beneficiary designations so you’re better prepared for next year.

How can I use my tax refund wisely instead of just spending it?

A tax refund can be a valuable tool for long-term financial progress. Many people use it to pay down high-interest debt, build emergency savings, or contribute to retirement accounts like an IRA or HSA. At Thrive Wealth Management, we often help clients turn refunds into intentional financial moves that support bigger goals instead of short-term spending.

Why is post-tax season a good time to review retirement and investment strategies?

Once tax season ends, you have a clearer picture of your income, deductions, and overall financial health. That makes it an ideal time to evaluate retirement contribution limits, rebalance your portfolio, and confirm your investments still align with your goals. The Thrive Wealth Management team can help identify post-tax season opportunities that strengthen both your tax strategy and your long-term financial plan.

About Norman

Norman MacQueen, MBA, is a Financial Advisor at Thrive Wealth Management with over 35 years of experience helping clients pursue their goals. A former Chester County Controller and co-founder of a successful advisory firm, he combines deep investment experience with a sincere, holistic approach to building decades-long client relationships. Based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Norman is a devoted family man who enjoys boating, fishing, and hunting with his grandchildren.

Disclosure:

This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only, should not be viewed as an exhaustive discussion of the topics presented, and should not be construed as individualized advice for any reader’s personal circumstances. For guidance on how these matters may impact your financial plan or investment portfolio, please contact your Thrive Wealth Management, LLC representative. While the information presented is believed to be factual and up to date, Thrive Wealth Management, LLC does not guarantee its accuracy and, due to various factors, including but not limited to changing laws and regulations, this information is subject to change. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication.  Thrive Wealth Management, LLC is not a law firm or an accounting firm, and no content contained herein should be construed as legal or accounting advice. Please consult with the qualified professional(s) of your choosing for legal and accounting advice.

Please visit https://thrivewealth.com/disclosure for additional information regarding the professional designations and credentials discussed. Professional designations and credentials do not guarantee success or any particular investment or financial outcome.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing comes with risk, including risk of loss.