Can I pay taxes on this year's income on last year's tax return?

[ryanf1475]

For example, if I have many deductions in 2018 but won't have many for 2019, is there any way to pay taxes on a portion of my 2019 income on 2018's return?

 

[FlyingRon]

In most cases, no. Your deductions and income are taxed in the year you pay them or they are paid to you.

 

[Taxing Matters]

You can't shift any of your 2019 income to your 2018 return. There are a very limited number of deductions or losses that you might be able to carry forward from your 2018 return to 2019, like a net operating loss (NOL) or a capital loss in 2018. Otherwise, the rule that applies here is that deductions and credits you have in 2018 may only offset income you had for 2018.