Estate Planning Strategies in a Higher Interest Rate Environment
September 13, 2022
For most people, an estate plan’s primary goal is to help ensure assets go to the intended beneficiaries in a manner that lessens the burden imposed on their heirs. For many, there is also the goal of reducing taxes. When this is the case, interest rates can play an important role. Therefore, it is important […]
Working Wealthy – Back to School
September 6, 2022
It’s back to school time for millions of Americans. Whether it’s the first drop-off at kindergarten or sending your young adult off for their final year of college, it always reminds me of the academic fresh start we receive this time of year. Everyone handles this time of year differently, but it is a great […]
Market Pullbacks and Financial Planning
June 7, 2022
With market volatility comes ups and downs. You may pay closer attention to your portfolio when the headlines are flashing red on the screen than prioritizing other aspects of your financial life; it is only natural. Taking a step back to evaluate the bigger picture can be beneficial to your wealth and stress levels. When […]
Important Tax Considerations During Divorce
April 12, 2022
Know someone who is going through a divorce? They will likely have to make many decisions regarding taxes during the process. It’s important, therefore, that they have a good understanding of the basics so that they can make informed decisions for their future. Here are a few of the most common questions: 1. Is there […]
5 Tax Planning Checks that Could Save Thousands!
March 8, 2022
Now that tax time is here, you’re probably starting to load everything into your tax preparation software or send documents to your CPA. There are many tax documents mailed to you or available online, but what about some of the items that are tougher to keep track of? Here are five tax strategies that are often […]
An Introduction to Phantom Stock and Stock Appreciation Rights
February 22, 2022
Providing equity is one of the best ways for companies to attract, retain and motivate top talent. Equity-based compensation can align the goals of key employees with the organization, ultimately increasing motivation, retention and results. However, it’s not always easy to give actual ownership, especially if the shares are illiquid, cash is tight, or existing […]
Death of the 4% Sustainable Withdrawal Rate?
January 4, 2022
Recently, the well-known 4% withdrawal rate rule of thumb has come under fire. For those not familiar, the 4% withdrawal rate comes from research by William Bengen, which demonstrated that, based on a historical analysis of stock and bond returns, retirees could withdraw up to 4% of their portfolio’s value each year over a 30-year […]
Tax Planning for the Build Back Better Act
November 30, 2021
Tax planning for 2021 has been like watching your favorite football team drive down the field to kick the game-winning field goal, and suddenly the coach calls a timeout because the goalpost keeps moving. When President Biden was elected, we expected an unfriendly tax overhaul geared toward taxing the wealthy. With that in mind, last […]
Reducing Year-End Taxes on Your Investments
November 24, 2021
Nobody wants additional taxes for the holidays, so throughout the year, we look for ways to minimize them. With year-end approaching, it’s a good time to review a few strategies that can potentially reduce your tax bill. Tax-Loss Harvesting The goal of tax loss harvesting is to stay in the market while capturing the current […]
What the Heck Is a PFIC – Tax Pitfalls of International Investments
November 23, 2021
If you are an international investor or have spent time living or working outside the US, this topic is essential to understand. While it is easy to avoid, the consequences of owning a PFIC can be so substantial that your returns are eaten away, and you are left with a nasty tax situation. Background: US […]
I Work in Finance, Are My Taxes Going Up?
November 16, 2021
In my conversations with financial professionals (private equity professionals, investment bankers, asset managers), I commonly ask the question, “what are you most concerned about as it pertains to your personal wealth management?” The answer, almost unanimously, revolves around taxes. This is a major area of concern, and the past year has left many people scratching […]
Tax Increases and Stock Options. What Does This Mean for You?
November 9, 2021
With possible tax increases coming soon, what does that mean for your stock options? A new bill could be passed at the 11th hour, and with year-end approaching, now is the time to analyze how this may impact you. Stock Options – A Brief Overview Stock options give employees the right to buy company stock […]