Tax Planning

Decisions made before the year closes

Tax preparation reports the past. Planning is the part where the number can still change — entity choices, retirement contributions, timing, and payments looked at while there's time to act.

Request a Consultation

Who this is for

Business owners deciding on entity structure or owner compensation
People with a large one-time event: a sale, an exercise, a bonus, an inheritance
Self-employed people whose income swings from year to year
Real estate investors weighing purchases, improvements or a sale
Households who keep being surprised by what they owe in April
Anyone approaching retirement or a change in state residency

What's included

Projection: A current-year projection of federal and California tax based on real figures, not last year's return.
Entity and compensation analysis: Whether your structure and owner pay are costing or saving you money at your profit level.
Retirement plan options: The plan types available to you and what each would mean for this year's deduction and next year's obligations.
Timing strategy: Which income and deductions can reasonably be accelerated or deferred, and what that's worth.
Estimated payments: A payment schedule sized to your projection, including safe-harbor considerations.
A written action list: Specific steps with deadlines, so the plan doesn't end when the meeting does.

How it works

A straightforward process

01
Gather the facts
Prior returns, year-to-date results and what you expect for the rest of the year.
02
Model the options
We project the outcome and compare realistic alternatives side by side, with trade-offs stated.
03
Act and follow up
You get a dated action list, and we check in before year-end to confirm each item is done.

Questions we hear often

When is the right time to plan?

Most strategies have to be in place before December 31, and some — like retirement plan elections or an entity change — need lead time well before that. Mid-year is a good moment; the week before the return is due is generally too late.

Is planning worth it if my situation is simple?

Sometimes the honest answer is no, and you'll be told that. Planning tends to pay for itself when there's business income, real estate, equity compensation, a large one-off event, or income that varies a lot year to year.

What counts as a planning event?

Selling a business or property, exercising options, a big bonus, starting or closing a business, changing states, retiring, an inheritance, or a year where income jumps or drops sharply.

Will you promise a specific amount of tax savings?

No. Anyone quoting a savings figure before looking at your facts is selling something. We model your situation, show you the options and their trade-offs, and you decide with real numbers in front of you.

Other services

Let's talk about your taxes

Tell us a little about your situation and what you need help with. We'll follow up to set up an introductory consultation.