Tax planning that happens before December 31
A tax plan reviews your income, business, and investments while there is still time to act, then lays out specific moves with their expected effect.
Who benefits most
- Business owners with profit above roughly $80,000 who have not reviewed their entity type
- Real estate investors buying, selling, or exchanging property
- Households near the SALT cap phase-down or other income thresholds
- Anyone with a large one-time event: a business sale, inheritance, or stock vesting
What a planning engagement includes
- A projection of this year's federal and California tax
- A list of strategies ranked by savings and effort
- Estimated payment amounts so there are no surprises in April
- A mid-year or year-end check-in to adjust the plan
Strategies we often review
Retirement plan choices (SEP, solo 401(k), defined benefit), S corporation elections and owner pay, timing of equipment purchases, charitable giving methods, cost segregation for rentals, hiring family members, the home office deduction, and the qualified business income deduction. Every strategy is explained with its trade-offs; not every idea fits every client.
Common questions
When should I start tax planning?
As early in the year as possible, and no later than October or November. After December 31, most strategies for that year are closed.
Is tax planning only for high earners?
No. It pays off whenever a decision has a tax effect: starting a business, buying a rental, or changing jobs.
Is tax planning legal?
Yes. Planning uses the choices the tax code provides. We do not recommend aggressive or abusive schemes.
Talk through your situation, free for 30 minutes.
Call, email, or send a message. We'll tell you plainly whether we're a good fit and what it would cost.