Okay, we get it. Everyone likes to put off thinking about taxes until as close to April 15 as possible.

But a little year-end tax thought—and action!—will ensure that you’re eligible for thousands of dollars in deductions. If you don’t act now, you’ll lose out. Don’t leave money on the table!

Here are a few tips to get you started and, as always, we suggest checking out IRS.gov for more information!

Push It To Next Year
If you are expecting any extra taxable income this year, be it from a moonlighting job or from selling your computer on eBay, try to push the income into 2010. There are a few ways to do that. For example, if you did some freelance work, don’t bill until January. Note, however, that if the client/employer writes a check dated in 2009 and you don’t cash it until 2010 it still counts as 2009 income.

Save For Retirement
If you’re lucky enough to have some cash lying around, you can still put in an entire year’s 401(k) contribution, which is $16,500, in pre-tax income. For those with a regular IRA (or considering opening one), the maximum contribution is $5,000. The contribution is tax-deferred income, which means that you don’t pay taxes on it until the time comes to retire. We suggest that, if you have the money, you do both. (Though we love Roth IRAs, doing this now won’t help you tax-wise for this year but may set you up for future savings.)

Ditch The Losers
Have you lost money on investments? (Who hasn’t lost money in the stock market?) Think about selling those loser stocks. You can deduct excess losses up to $3,000 against your regular income on the 2009 tax return. Losses above that count toward deductions indefinitely in the future, until those losses are absorbed by gains, says New York-based accountant Howard J. Samuels. (Note: This doesn’t apply to IRAs and other tax-sheltered retirement plans.)

Get Some Wheels
If you have the money to buy a new car before Jan. 1, 2010, it might make sense to do it right now rather than in a few weeks. If you do, you may be able to deduct sales, excise taxes, and other fees on as much as $49,500 of the purchase price! You’d have to be making more than $125,000 as a single person not to get this deal, so go for it.

Be CharitableLet the spirit of the season affect you…now. Charitable contributions only count for the year that they are made. That said, if you write a check, the charity doesn’t have to cash it in 2009; the envelope only has to be postmarked by January 1, 2010. And, this is obvious, but it bears pointing out: If you use a credit card, you can charge the donation now but not have to pay it until the new year. (Though, as you know, LearnVest doesn’t advocate carrying a balance on your credit card!)

Happy deducting!