April 15 isn’t just the filing deadline — it’s your last chance to make moves that lower your 2025 tax bill and future ones! This article goes through all the potential moves you can make by end of day Wednesday, but here’s the quick list to get started.
1) Fund your IRA or Roth IRA — up to $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+). Earn too much for a Roth? There’s a workaround.
2) Max out your HSA — $4,300 individual / $8,550 family. Filing an extension does NOT extend this deadline.
3) SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) — up to $70,000 if you’re self-employed.
4) File an extension — gives you until October 15 to file (but not to pay).
5) Last but not least, pay Q1 2026 estimated taxes — also due April 15.
Plus, use Mezzi to doublecheck your 2025 return. Mezzi sees which moves may apply to you — and how much you may save. In fact, copy this whole article into Mezzi and let our AI start personalizing it all for you.
Fund your IRA or Roth IRA
You can still contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA for the 2025 tax year. A $7,000 traditional IRA contribution could save you $1,680 to $2,240 depending on your tax bracket.
A Roth IRA won’t give you a deduction now, but your money grows and comes out tax-free in retirement.
Earn too much to contribute to a Roth directly ($150K single / $236K married)? You can still get money into one — contribute to a traditional IRA first, then convert it to a Roth.
There’s no income limit on conversions. One thing to note: if you or your spouse have a retirement plan through work, your ability to deduct a traditional IRA contribution depends on your income. Mezzi can help you figure out where you stand.
Max out your HSA
Individual limit: $4,300. Family: $8,550. Add $1,000 if you’re 55+. An HSA is one of the best tax breaks out there — your contribution is tax-deductible, it grows tax-free, and you can withdraw tax-free for medical expenses.
After 65, you can use it for anything — it works like a traditional retirement account. Critical: filing an extension does NOT extend the HSA deadline. April 15 is it.
SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)
Self-employed? A SEP-IRA lets you put away up to 25% of your net earnings, up to $70,000. You can open and fund one all the way until your filing deadline — including extensions. Have a Solo 401(k) instead? Employer contributions for 2025 can be made until your filing deadline, including extensions. If you’re a sole proprietor, employee deferrals can also still be made until April 15 — but not with an extension. Example: on $200K of net income, you could contribute ~$46,500 and save ~$14,880 in taxes at the 32% bracket.
Pay your Q1 2026 estimated taxes
Also due April 15. If you had investment gains, freelance income, or side income in Q1, get ahead of this now. The IRS charges ~7% interest on underpayments — it adds up.
File an extension if you need more time
Form 4868 gives you until October 15 to file — but any taxes you owe are still due April 15. An extension also gives you more time to open and fund a SEP-IRA or make Solo 401(k) contributions. Estimate what you owe and pay at least 90% by April 15 to avoid penalties.
Why Mezzi
These moves save real money — but only if you know which ones apply to you, how much to put in, and where the limits are. That’s what Mezzi does.
Our AI looks at your full financial picture — income, tax bracket, what accounts you have, whether you have a 401(k) at work, and whether a Roth or traditional account makes more sense for you — then provides personalized suggestions to help you identify potential tax-saving opportunities. Not just at tax time.
Mezzi runs this analysis year-round, so you’re never scrambling at the deadline wondering what you missed.
First, start by making sure your return shows all of your taxable accounts and reflects your correct taxable dividend income. Then check that the cost basis on any investments you sold matches what your brokerage reported — errors here can mean overpaying on capital gains. And confirm all your 1099s are accounted for — missing one is one of the most common reasons for IRS notices.
Disclosures:
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results. No guarantee of future performance or outcomes is implied. The use of artificial intelligence and algorithmic tools does not guarantee investment results. These tools are subject to limitations, errors, and market conditions that may affect performance.
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