So assuming your AGI is in excess of $109,000 then you would not be eligible for deductible IRAs. If your wife is not maximizing her contributions to a 403(b) then she could increase her deferrals which will reduce her taxable income and your overall joint AGI. If she is over age 50 then she can defer up to $22,000. If she has worked there for more than 15 years then she may also be able to contribute an additional $3,000 catch-up depending on the amount of her total contributions over the years she has worked there. If her employer also offers a 457(b) plan then she could defer another $22,000 to that plan. However, with only 3 months left in the year then she would be limited to deferring up to her remaining salary income for the year.
If you intend to obtain another job or start your own business then you may be able to defer part of your salary to another employer's plan or start a retirement plan for your business.
If you itemize deductions you may consider prepaying certain expenses this year so that they may be deductible this year (real estate taxes due in 2010, doubling up charitable contributions, etc.). If you have losses on investments, then you could sell those investments and deduct up to $3,000 of losses that exceed your gains against your other income.
Enrolled Agent
EA, QPA, CHFC, CEBS, CLU - 29 years experience providing financial advice