Helpful strategies to pay less

Now that it is tax time, you are probably wondering how you can pay Uncle Sam a little bit less. Here are some helpful strategies:

• One of the best is to pay your future self – by contributing to a 401(k) or traditional IRA. By reducing your taxable income, you reduce your taxes.

• Next, while you should eliminate high-rate credit card debt, do not accelerate pay-off of your student loans or mortgage, because the interest you pay on them is tax deductible.

• Also be sure to keep charitable donation receipts and count them in with your itemized deductions.

– Kristi Maupin, Jefferson Financial Credit Union