On Dec. 16, the Senate passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (TIPA), which the House had passed on Dec. 3. TIPA extended many valuable tax breaks that expired at the end of 2013 — but only through Dec. 31, 2014.

Here are three types of extended tax breaks that you may want to take action on before year end:

1. Small business stock gains exclusion. Gains realized on the sale or exchange of qualified small business (QSB) stock acquired in 2014 will be eligible for an exclusion of 100% if the stock has been held for at least five years. So you may want to consider purchasing QSB stock by Dec. 31.

2. Tax-free IRA distributions to charities. Taxpayers age 70½ or older can make direct contributions from their IRA to qualified charitable organizations without incurring any income tax on the distribution, up to $100,000 for the 2014 tax year. You can even use the distribution to satisfy a required minimum distribution. But the distribution must be made by Dec. 31.

3. Depreciation-related breaks. Businesses can enjoy larger 2014 deductions if they invest in property that qualifies for enhanced Section 179 expensing, 50% bonus depreciation, and/or accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold-improvement, restaurant and retail-improvement property. But the property must be placed in service by Dec. 31.

Additional rules and limits apply to these breaks, so please contact us to find out which ones you can benefit from.