Tax Strategies Archives - Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors

Year-End Charitable Giving: 5 Strategies to Know

Written by Jeff Diamond, AIF® on November 6, 2023.

Year-end charitable giving could be a great way to reduce your tax liability while making a difference in others’ lives.

Support Your Favorite Charities While Potentially Reaping Tax Benefits

Taxes are an unfortunate fact of life. However, if you develop a strategy to reduce your total taxable income, you may see a marked decrease in the amount you owe each year – which can be a welcome outcome as we approach the holiday season and begin spending more on gifts, travel, and entertaining. If you’re hoping to reduce your taxable income this year, you might be happy to hear that you can enjoy possible tax benefits while also making a positive difference in other people’s lives. To do so, you need to select the right year-end charitable giving strategy. Read on for five such strategies that may fit your needs, both from a philanthropic standpoint and as smart tax planning.

High-Net-Worth Estate Planning: Tax-Efficient Tips

Written by Jeff Diamond, AIF® on June 28, 2023.

Optimize your high-net-worth estate planning with tax-efficient strategies for maximum wealth preservation.

Tax-Savvy Moves to Protect Your Legacy

Estate planning is a critical aspect of financial management, especially if you are a high-net-worth individual. To optimize your financial legacy while complying with legal requirements, it is essential to consider tax-efficient strategies. By implementing effective high-net-worth estate planning techniques, you may minimize tax liabilities and ensure a smooth transition of wealth to future generations. Below, we will explore a comprehensive range of tips for tax-efficient estate planning that may help you maximize the preservation and distribution of your assets.

Choosing the Best Retirement Plan for Your Employees

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on December 6, 2021.

Review the Options to Determine the Best Employer-Sponsored Plan for Your Company

As a small business owner, you understand all the complexities that come with being responsible for not only yourself, your company, and your family – but for your employees, as well. While it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day details of running your business, periodically taking stock of your company’s overall financial health is a great way to ensure that your business is in a position to thrive now – and for years to come. Consider the options, pros, and cons when trying to choose the best retirement plan for your employees.

Each day, you make decisions that affect your business. How can you be sure that you’re keeping the big picture in mind and that each decision you make is a sound choice for your bottom line and long-term business goals? Below we’ll share a simple but effective financial health checklist for your small business.

Small Business Financial Health Checklist

Written by Jeff Diamond, AIF® on November 15, 2021.

How to ensure your business remains strong now and into the future

Planned Upcoming Tax Changes for 2021

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on October 15, 2021.

The 2021 Tax Year Is Bringing Some Surprises With It, but Here’s What We Do Know

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the tax plan put forth by the Democrats and the corresponding changes it may bring. While there is still a lot that is unknown, some of the upcoming tax changes are certain and can begin being planned for. Below is a summary of some of the items that will change in the 2021 tax season.

Financial planning provides a plethora of benefits; however, it also comes with many challenges considering it’s impossible to completely prepare for an unpredictable future. Despite the impossibility of being able to fully prepare for what the future holds, a smart financial plan can still provide you with the flexibility and strong financial foundation you need to respond to whatever it may bring.

Understanding the Most Common Types of Employee Equity Compensation Plans

Written by Jeff Diamond, AIF® on October 11, 2021.

What You Need to Know About These Valuable, Complex Benefits

Equity compensation can be an incredibly valuable employee benefit, but it can also be a complex subject matter to get your arms around. Not only are there multiple types of equity compensation, but each has unique characteristics you should keep in mind in order to maximize its value.

Below, we’ll discuss the most common types of equity compensation and dig into the potential challenges and unique benefits of each one so that you can make smart decisions for your financial situation – and avoid costly mistakes, too.

Small Business Employee Compensation Packages: Choosing What’s Right for You

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on September 13, 2021.

A Written Compensation Plan is Vital to Your Company’s Success

If you’re a successful small business owner, you likely have a solid business plan in place. However, if you’re like many entrepreneurs, you aren’t as adept when it comes to devising employee compensation packages. It can feel a bit like an afterthought when you’re focused on launching or growing your business, but determining the right compensation package may be critical to your long-term success. After all, the right compensation can assist you in recruiting top talent and in retaining your top performers.

As you consider your options, do so with your company’s overall strategy and values in mind. You want to be able to compete for the best talent, but without overextending your resources. Below we’ll discuss a few ways you can get started.

5 Ways HSAs Can Bolster Your Retirement Plan

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on March 24, 2021.

Health Savings Accounts Offer Several Benefits to Your Retirement Strategy

If you’re maxing out your 401(k) and IRA contributions, you’re likely on the road to a comfortable retirement. If you’re saving in taxable accounts, too, you’re even further ahead of the game. However, you may be missing out on an incredibly tax-efficient savings vehicle. If you truly want to bolster your retirement plan, it’s time to look into a health savings account (HSA).

Health savings accounts are the only option for triple-tax savings, meaning you can contribute pre-tax dollars, pay no taxes on earnings, and withdraw money tax-free now or in retirement as long as it’s used for qualified medical expenses. Simply put, HSAs go to work for you in three ways and provide the ultimate tax-efficiency. Read on for five ways you can fortify your retirement plan by using an HSA.

Tax-advantaged Savings Accounts for High-Income Earners

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on February 10, 2021.

Saving for retirement requires planning and, to some extent, strategizing on a multitude of levels, this is especially so if you’re a high-income earner. If you’re a high-income earner, in particular, one of the most important strategies you’ll need to implement is a tax strategy that maximizes the benefits provided by different types of retirement savings accounts.

These accounts encourage individuals and households to save toward their retirement goals. For more affluent households, however, there are more options available regarding which accounts to allocate savings to. So, the question becomes, how can you maximize the tax benefits of various retirement savings accounts when your high-income status allows you the ability to contribute to several different accounts simultaneously? We’ll discuss your options below.

The Cash Balance Plan: A Pension Plan for High Earners

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on February 10, 2020.

If you’re a business owner, physician or self-employed individual, you likely face higher taxes than the majority of Americans. However, there are strategies you can use to keep more of your hard-earned money by reducing your tax liability and increasing your asset protection. One of these strategies is through a particular type of Defined Benefit Plan called the Cash Balance Plan.