As the deadline nears for filing 2015 income taxes, there's no time like the present to get a jump on being ready to file. Experts say planning ahead may help lower the stress created by filing your income taxes. Getting an early start can give you the time you may need to cover all the bases. The following tax strategies may help.

Planning For 2015 Taxes Made Easier

1. Be sure to check and double-check all tax withholdings. Review your withholding information with your employer's payroll department to make sure you're not having too much – or not enough – withheld from your paycheck. If you make quarterly estimated tax payments review them, too.

2. Consolidate your outstanding debts. Give some thought to paying off high-interest credit card balances with a home equity loan or line of credit. The rate will be lower and the interest will be tax deductible.

3. Take refinancing into account. If you refinanced your mortgage during the tax year, you probably have a lower interest deduction. And if you used any or all of the refinance proceeds for anything other than home improvements, that money may be subject to an alternative minimum tax. Don't forget, you can deduct points that were paid in the refinance if you haven't already.

4. You should prepay your quarterly estimated state taxes. Pay the fourth-quarter 2015 estimated state income taxes and any balance owed by December 31. You can deduct the payments for the 2015 tax year and you won't be subject to the alternative minimum tax.

5. You should prepay your personal property taxes. Some counties bill taxpayers twice – once in November and again in February. If you pay the February installment by the end of the tax year you can deduct it on your 2015 income taxes. A word to the wise, however, the alternative minimum tax does not allow this deduction.

As always, if you have questions about your withholdings, exemptions, deductions or other tax matters see a qualified tax professional.

Find more tips and articles on Columbia SC taxes to your right in the Columbia SC Real Estate Categories. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily news and tips we post there.

Most Columbia SC tax advisors suggest their clients to start thinking about their taxes early. As the end of the year rapidly approaches, now’s the time to do some tax planning. By starting now, you can make next April 15 a good bit less stressful. Here are a few tax tips that may be helpful.

Four Columbia SC Tax Tips

Columbia SC tax tips: 1) You can receive a tax credit for energy savings. Install a energy-efficient solar system and you can get a credit for 30% of the cost. Visit EnergyStar.gov for more information on other energy credits.

Columbia SC tax tips: 2) Use any stock market or other investment losses to offset any other gains or to reduce your taxable income. By law, you can wait until December 31, but it may be a good idea to begin planning now.

Columbia SC tax tips: 3) Know your retirement plan options. You have until next April 15 to fund your IRA, but only until December 31 to make your maximum contribution to a 401(k). You can contribute up to $18,000 if you’re under age 50, and up to $24,000 if you’ll turn 50 by on or before December 31.

Columbia SC tax tips: 4) Plan any charitable donations now. Cleaning out your closets ahead of time will help maximize any charitable deductions and get the jump on spring cleaning! If you plan to donate cash, spreading it out over the next couple of months may make it easier on your pocketbook.

If you're a first time Columbia SC home buyer, there may be some important things you already know about, like things you now have to take care of yourself that a landlord used to do for you. But being a homeowner also affects tax deductions you can take to help lower your tax bill.

Now that we're in full swing for taxes, we've put together this list of what you can and can't deduct, along with other tips for tax season.

What Can Be Deducted by a Columbia SC Home Buyer

Mortgage Interest

As a new Columbia SC home buyer, a new mortgage means a little more work for you when it comes time to file your taxes. However, the extra work is worth it in the end. Perhaps the most important tax deduction you need to be aware of is your mortgage interest. At year-end, refer to Form 1098 from your lender to see how much mortgage interest you paid. This is still deductible, though it may not be forever, so take the deduction while you still can.

Mortgage Points

Mortgage points are nothing more than prepaid interest. You can buy points to lower your interest rate when you get your loan. By purchasing points, you can save money in the long run if you stay in the home for a certain period of time, depending on the amount of points you buy.

For example, if you have a $300,000 mortgage and buy two points, you'll owe $6,000 for those points at closing. (Each point is 1% of the value of your mortgage.) If buying the points lowers your payment $250 a month, you’ll have to stay in your home for at least 16 months to break even. After that time passes, you'll start putting money back in your pocket.

Are you eligible to deduct money you spent on mortgage points from your taxes? Each situation is different, but it's definitely worth looking into. Ask your accountant or tax attorney.

Property Taxes

Becoming a Columbia SC home buyer also gives you the responsibility of paying property taxes. In most cases, your taxes are rolled into your monthly mortgage payment, and your mortgage company pays your taxes from your escrow account when they're due.

If you're a first-time Columbia SC home buyer, you'll need to know the total real estate taxes for the real property tax year and the number of days in the property tax year that you owned the property. This is usually handled at closing by a closing attorney, if you had one.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Thanks to a bill the Senate approved in late December 2014, homeowners can deduct the cost of mortgage insurance premiums on their 2014 tax forms. The tax break covers PMI premiums and premiums paid on FHA, VA and Rural Housing Service guaranteed loans, according to an article on National Mortgage News.

What Can NOT Be Deducted by a Columbia SC Home Buyer

Property hazard insurance premiums
Homeowners association dues
General closing costs
Home repairs

As you can see, purchasing your first home can have a major impact on your taxes. With a little research and perhaps some help from your tax professional, you can recoup some of the costs associated with becoming a Columbia SC home buyer.

Find more news articles as they relate to taxes in the Taxes section under our Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right. And find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for daily updates we post there as well.