Year End Tax Planning

My year end tax planning is rather simple since all my investments are in tax-deferred accounts. I don't need to figure out what stocks to sell to take a loss for tax purposes and so on. I only need to figure out what tax advantaged investments can I make before the Apr 15 deadline comes and the opportunity passes away. Here is what I am doing:

• I have already ramped up my deductions to the 401-K, 403-B and 457 accounts. I can put away $17K*3 = $51K in those three accounts - it does not seem like I will reach that level but will come somewhat close to it. I am fine with where I will end up - considering that I was on leave for half the year and did not put away anything in those accounts until start of fall.
• Because of my leave earlier this year, I does seem like I will fall below the income threshold for ROTH IRA contribution ($176K for married filing jointly). So, I need to make $5K*2 = $10K contribution to the two ROTH IRA accounts by Apr 15th 2013.
• I love my HSA account and will look to fully fund the HSA account. I have yet to calculate how much scope is left in the account after all the payroll deductions and the company match.
• For the next year, I have already adjusted the deduction levels for the 401-K, 403-B and 457 accounts so that they are on track to put away $17.5K by the end of next year. The contribution limits increase to $17.5K for next year. The IRA contribution limits increase too (to $5.5K) - but next year it is likely that I will cross the income threshold for ROTH IRA contributions ($178K for married filing jointly).

I looking at a serious cash crunch at the start of next year with all these investment funding needed. I usually do the following two things to make sure I can make all the tax advantaged investments that the tax code allows me to make:

1. File the federal tax return early - really early - like first week of Feb early. My tax returns are simple - just two W-2s - so I can file them as soon as get my hands on the W-2s. This sets me up to receive my tax refund in Feb - and I can use that to make the ROTH IRA contributions before the Apr 15th deadline.
2. Take advantage of a 0% Balance Transfer on one of the no-annual-fee credit cards I keep for this specific purpose. I get a loan for about 10-11 months at the cost of 3% (the fixed transaction cost) - and  use the loan to save on taxes. I think its a sweet deal - although it does take a lot of discipline to not fall into the credit card fee trap with balance transfers.

A lot needs to be done in coming months!