Let’s talk about a clever tax strategy that often flies under the radar: bunching itemized deductions. It’s a simple but smart way to maximize your tax savings without drastically changing your spending habits.

Here’s the scoop. Most people stick with the standard deduction because their annual deductible expenses—like mortgage interest, charitable donations, and medical bills—don’t add up to enough to itemize. But with a little planning, you can group (or “bunch”) these expenses into one year, potentially allowing you to itemize and save more on your taxes.

How Does It Work?

It’s all about timing. Instead of spreading deductible expenses across multiple years, you concentrate them into one tax year. For example:

• Charitable Donations: Instead of donating $5,000 every year, donate $10,000 in one year and skip the next.
• Medical Expenses: If you have elective procedures coming up, try to schedule them within the same calendar year.
• Other Deductions: Consider prepaying deductible expenses like property taxes if it makes sense for your financial situation.

By doing this, your total itemized deductions for that year could exceed the standard deduction (currently $27,700 for married couples filing jointly in 2025). The next year, you simply take the standard deduction again.

Why Is This Overlooked?

People usually think year-to-year, but this strategy involves planning across multiple years. It’s not complicated—you’re just shifting the timing of expenses you already plan to incur. Plus, pairing this method with advice from a tax professional ensures you’re following IRS rules while getting the most out of your deductions.

So, if you’re looking for a way to save more on your taxes, bunching deductions might be the trick you didn’t know you needed. Why not give it a try and see how much more you could keep in your pocket?