What are the benefits of deferring?

Asked by: Ms. Jeanne Okuneva II  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (45 votes)

The benefits of deferring involve delaying taxes to allow investments to compound, potentially lowering your tax bracket later, reducing current taxable income (like with 401(k)s), and providing time to plan future finances. Other benefits include building savings systematically, gaining flexibility, and for businesses, ensuring steady cash flow and aligning employee incentives.

Is deferring income a good idea?

Federal income tax is also delayed when you defer income, but you do pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. A deferred comp plan is most beneficial when you can reduce your present and future tax rates by deferring your income. Unfortunately, it's challenging to project future tax rates.

What is the benefit of deferring taxes?

Understanding Tax Deferral

Tax deferral allows investors to benefit from the tax-free growth of earnings over time. The tax savings can be substantial for investments held until retirement when the retiree will likely be in a lower tax bracket and no longer be subject to premature tax and product withdrawal penalties.

What are common reasons for deferral?

7 good reasons to defer university admission

  • Take a gap year. Taking a gap year might be one of the most popular reasons to defer university admission. ...
  • Address personal concerns. ...
  • Improve your health. ...
  • Raise additional funds. ...
  • Complete an internship abroad. ...
  • Build your academic skill set. ...
  • Volunteer abroad.

What are valid reasons for deferment?

Good reasons to defer (postpone) college include taking a gap year for work, travel, volunteering, or personal growth to build maturity and clarity; addressing financial needs by saving money; gaining relevant experience through internships or jobs; or dealing with personal health/family issues, all leading to better college readiness and focus. It's a chance to gain life experience that enhances personal development and academic motivation before committing to a degree. 

What Are The Benefits Of Deferring Income For A Business Owner? - Tax and Accounting Coach

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How does deferring work?

A deferment lets you temporarily reduce or postpone payments on your loan(s) if you're returning to college, going to graduate school, or entering an internship, law clerkship, fellowship, or residency.

Does a deferral hurt your credit?

A deferment will not directly impact your credit score, as long as the account is still in good standing. It could, however, increase the age and the size of the total debt, which may impact your credit score. So while it won't directly hurt your credit score, it won't help your score, either.

Is deferral good or bad?

First, let's be clear; a deferral is NOT a denial of admission. It does not mean that the student is not qualified, or that the university is worried about their presence on campus. A deferral simply means that the college wants more information about the student in the larger context of the regular decision pool.

Is deferred compensation better than a 401k?

Deferred compensation plans tend to offer better investment options than most 401(k) plans, but are at a disadvantage regarding liquidity. Typically, deferred compensation funds cannot be accessed, for any reason, before the specified distribution date.

Is it possible to save on taxes by deferring income?

Key Takeaways. Deferring income from the current year into the next can reduce the current year's taxable income and let you delay paying taxes on the deferred income.

What are the biggest tax mistakes people make?

The biggest tax mistakes people make include simple errors like wrong Social Security numbers, names, or math; failing to file on time or at all; missing out on eligible deductions and credits (like education or retirement); not keeping good records (W-2s, receipts); incorrect filing status; and poor record-keeping for business expenses, leading to potential audits or processing delays. Using IRS.gov resources and tax software helps avoid these common pitfalls. 

Is it better to pay taxes now or later?

There are a lot of benefits that come with filing your taxes early. Filing early allows you to get your tax refund more quickly, gives you more time to prepare payment for any taxes you owe, and can provide you with important financial information, among other benefits.

Why do people defer their taxes?

Save on taxes over the long term

If your income drops, your tax bracket may drop, too. In that case, you could wind up paying less in taxes over time, since your withdrawals in retirement would be taxed at a lower rate than those funds would've been when you were working.

How much will a $100,000 annuity pay per month?

A $100,000 annuity typically pays between $500 to over $1,000 per month, but the exact amount varies significantly, usually ranging from $580 to $859 monthly for a single life, depending heavily on your age (older means higher payouts), gender, interest rates, and chosen payout features like joint life or cash refunds. For instance, at age 70, a male might get around $729/month, while a female might get less, with older ages or joint options reducing payments for more security. 

How much of your income can you defer?

More In Retirement Plans

The annual limits are: salary deferrals - $23,000 in 2024 ($22,500 in 2023; $20,500 in 2022; $19,500 in 2020 and 2021 and $19,000 in 2019), plus $7,500 in 2023; $6,500 in 2020, 2021 and 2022 ($6,000 in 2015 - 2019) if the employee is age 50 or older) (IRC Sections 402(g) and 414(v))

What are valid reasons for deferring?

Good reasons to defer (postpone) college include taking a gap year for work, travel, volunteering, or personal growth to build maturity and clarity; addressing financial needs by saving money; gaining relevant experience through internships or jobs; or dealing with personal health/family issues, all leading to better college readiness and focus. It's a chance to gain life experience that enhances personal development and academic motivation before committing to a degree. 

What are the disadvantages of a deferral?

Disadvantages of a Deferment Period

  • During the deferment period, interest is being accrued.
  • The overall loan balance is increased due to accrued interest.
  • In some cases, borrowers are subject to additional fees.
  • The borrower must prove they are experiencing financial hardship.

What are the disadvantages of a deferred payment?

Disadvantages of a Deferred Payment Agreement

Interest is charged on the full amount we loan to you. You will need to ensure that your property is adequately insured and maintained during the period of the agreement. This includes gardens and outbuildings.

What is the biggest killer of credit scores?

The single biggest thing that hurts your credit score is late payments, especially those 30+ days past due, as payment history accounts for 35% of a FICO score; maxing out credit cards (high credit utilization) and opening too many new accounts quickly also cause significant damage, while major negative events like bankruptcy are devastating.
 

What is the 7 year rule for student loans?

The "7-year rule" for student loans generally refers to how long negative information stays on your credit report, typically 7 to 7.5 years after delinquency or default, but it doesn't make the debt disappear; the loan itself remains until paid. For federal loans, negative marks often come off about 7 years after default or transfer to the Department of Education, while private loans usually take 7.5 years from default/charge-off. This rule is different in bankruptcy, where federal loans are usually dischargeable after 7 years from when you stopped being a student, with exceptions for hardship.
 

How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days?

You can potentially increase your credit score by 100 points in 30 days, but it's not guaranteed and depends on your current credit situation; focus on quickly lowering credit utilization by paying down balances (especially high-limit cards), ensuring all payments are on time, disputing errors on your report, becoming an authorized user on a trusted account, and getting a credit limit increase to see significant jumps. 

Why do people defer?

Often, applicants are deferred because the school wants the opportunity to see how students will utilize their last year of high school, if they're maintaining (or improving) their grades, and accomplishing other milestones through their extracurricular involvement.

What happens after a deferral?

If you were deferred, admissions officers found you to be a qualified candidate but may need more information about your application before making a final decision. The important thing to remember is that there is never just one thing that leads colleges to their decision.

Do I need to reapply if I defer?

In general, you cannot defer your place to another academic year. If you wish to start in a later year, you will need to submit a new application and pay the application fee again. A new application does not guarantee an offer of a place.