7 ways to make next year's taxes less painful than this year's

• It's never too early to start thinking about next year's tax bill, and what you could deduct.

• Saving more for retirement in a tax-deferred retirement account is one of the best ways to lower your tax bill and boost your net worth in one fell swoop.

• Don't forget about the power of a Health Savings Account, or HSA. This account lets you set aside funds on a tax-deferred basis for future healthcare expenses.

Initial analysis of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 implied that take-home pay would go up for many Americans and that overall taxes would go down — at least for some people. Plenty of people are still freaking out about getting a smaller tax refund this year.

If you're paying attention to your actual tax bill and not just the size of your refund, you should strive to do everything possible (within reason) to maximize your income and reduce how much you owe. Fortunately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers plenty of ways to reduce your taxable income and your tax bill — many of which can also boost your savings rate.

Consumers who want to pay a lighter tax bill next year should also act now, before it's too late. These are just a few examples of how you could whittle down next year's tax bill, but there are plenty of others. If you're not sure exactly what you should do, your best bet is sitting down with a tax professional now to craft a plan that will yield tax savings for years to come.

More from Business Insider:
We break down whether the new AmEx Gold card is worth the $250 annual fee
5 reasons I signed up for a Delta credit card even though the SkyMiles program no longer publishes an award chart
When it makes sense to pay your taxes with a credit card — and when it doesn't

SEE ALSO: 5 unexpected tax breaks you can claim on your tax return