Essential Year-End Tax Strategies for Ulta Beauty Employees: What You Need to Know Before 2023

Here are some things for Ulta Beauty employees and retirees to consider as they weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year.

1. Defer income to next year
Ulta Beauty employees must consider opportunities to defer income to 2023, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a year-end bonus or delay the collection of business debts, rent, and payments for services. As a Ulta Beauty employee, doing so may enable you to postpone payment of tax on the income until next year.

2. Accelerate deductions
Ulta Beauty employees and retirees should also look for opportunities to accelerate deductions into the current tax year. If you itemize deductions, making payments for deductible expenses such as medical expenses, qualifying interest, and state taxes before the end of the year (instead of paying them in early 2023) could make a difference on your 2022 return.

3. Make deductible charitable contributions
As a Ulta Beauty employee, if you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you can generally deduct charitable contributions, but the deduction is limited to 50% (currently increased to 60% for cash contributions to public charities), 30%, or 20% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), depending on the type of property you give and the type of organization to which you contribute. (Excess amounts can be carried over for up to five years.)

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4. Bump up withholding to cover a tax shortfall
As a Ulta Beauty employee, if it looks as though you will owe federal income tax for the year, consider increasing your withholding on Form W-4 for the remainder of the year to cover the shortfall. Time may be limited for Ulta Beauty employees to request a Form W-4 change and for their employers from Ulta Beauty to implement it in time for 2022. The biggest advantage in doing so is that withholding is considered as having been paid evenly throughout the year instead of when the dollars are actually taken from your paycheck. This strategy can be implemented by Ulta Beauty employees to make up for low or missing quarterly estimated tax payments.

5. Save more for retirement
Deductible contributions to a traditional IRA and pre-tax contributions to a Ulta Beauty-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) can reduce your 2022 taxable income. As a fortune 500 employee, if you haven't already contributed up to the maximum amount allowed, consider doing so. For 2022, Ulta Beauty employees can contribute up to $20,500 to a 401(k) plan ($27,000 if you're age 50 or older) and up to $6,000 to traditional and Roth IRAs combined ($7,000 if you're age 50 or older).* The window to make 2022 contributions to a Ulta Beauty-sponsored plan generally closes at the end of the year, while you have until April 18, 2023, to make 2022 IRA contributions.

*Roth contributions are not deductible, but Roth-qualified distributions are not taxable.

6. Take the required minimum distributions
If you are a Ulta Beauty employee age 72 or older, you generally must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and Ulta Beauty-sponsored retirement plans (special rules apply if you're still working and participating in Ulta Beauty's retirement plan). You have to make the withdrawals by the date required — the end of the year for most individuals. The penalty for failing to do so is substantial: 50% of the amount that wasn't distributed on time. As a fortune 500 employee, making these distributions in a timely manner is essential as to avoid the late penalty.

7. Weigh year-end investment moves
Ulta Beauty employees and retirees shouldn't let tax considerations drive investment decisions. However, it's worth considering the tax implications of any year-end investment moves that you make. For example, if you have realized net capital gains from selling securities at a profit, you might avoid being taxed on some or all of those gains by selling losing positions. As a Ulta Beauty employee, any losses over and above the number of your gains can be used to offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500 if your filing status is married filing separately) or carried forward to reduce your taxes in future years.

Tags: Financial Planning , Tax , Retirement , 2022

What type of retirement savings plan does Ulta Beauty offer to its employees?

Ulta Beauty offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

Does Ulta Beauty match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Ulta Beauty provides a company match on employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, helping to boost retirement savings.

What is the eligibility requirement for Ulta Beauty's 401(k) plan?

Employees of Ulta Beauty are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically 30 days.

Can Ulta Beauty employees choose how to invest their 401(k) contributions?

Yes, Ulta Beauty employees can select from a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan to suit their individual retirement goals.

Is there a vesting schedule for Ulta Beauty's 401(k) company match?

Yes, Ulta Beauty has a vesting schedule for the company match, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.

How can Ulta Beauty employees access their 401(k) account information?

Ulta Beauty employees can access their 401(k) account information online through the plan's designated website or by contacting the plan administrator.

What contribution limits apply to Ulta Beauty's 401(k) plan?

Ulta Beauty follows the IRS guidelines for contribution limits, which may change annually. Employees should check the latest limits for the current year.

Can Ulta Beauty employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Ulta Beauty allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to plan rules and limits.

What happens to an Ulta Beauty employee's 401(k) if they leave the company?

If an Ulta Beauty employee leaves the company, they have several options for their 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another retirement account or leaving it in the Ulta Beauty plan if eligible.

Does Ulta Beauty offer financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k)?

Yes, Ulta Beauty provides financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings.