Tax Planning

It is the year-round strategic coordination of investment, withdrawal, and charitable decisions designed to minimize lifetime tax liability for high-net-worth individuals and retirees. It models the tax impact of financial choices before they occur and aligns directly with your CPA's tax preparation to ensure tax efficiency across all accounts.

Proactive tax planning is the year-round coordination of your investment, withdrawal, and giving decisions specifically to reduce the tax owed on them — and it is distinct from, not a replacement for, the tax return your CPA prepares each year.

To be direct about a question we hear often: we do not prepare or file your tax return. That's your CPA's role, and we're not trying to replace it. What we do is provide the planning layer that sits alongside your accounting relationship — modeling the tax impact of decisions before you make them, then coordinating directly with your CPA so both of you are working from the same numbers and the same strategy, rather than reconciling after the fact.

Our tax planning services include:

Withdrawal sequencing — determining which accounts to draw from, and in what order, to manage your tax bracket across retirement rather than just this year. Under established Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax structures, the optimal sequence depends on your mix of taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts, adjusting dynamically as those balances shift.

RMD planning — modeling the tax impact of Required Minimum Distributions before they become mandatory. Per Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, implementing proactive strategies—such as executing earlier, smaller Roth conversions during lower-income years—helps reduce forced income exposure and mitigate overall lifetime tax liability.

Capital gains and tax-loss harvesting coordination — timing realized gains and losses across your portfolio to manage your net tax exposure, ensuring gains in one area do not generate avoidable tax liabilities elsewhere.

Asset location strategy — placing individual investments into optimal account structures (taxable, tax-deferred, tax-exempt) so the portfolio operates with maximum overall tax efficiency under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax guidelines.

Charitable giving strategies — evaluating Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for eligible IRA owners aged 70½ or older. According to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, transfers made directly to qualified charities count toward required distribution thresholds while remaining excluded from adjusted gross income.

Year-end tax planning review — a dedicated evaluation conducted prior to December 31 to optimize time-sensitive statutory provisions, ensuring critical financial decisions are completed within the designated calendar year.

1. Discovery

We review your income sources, accounts, prior tax return, financial goals, and expected life changes to understand your current situation.

2. CPA Coordination

With your permission, we coordinate with your CPA or other tax professional so investment planning and tax advice use consistent information. Shared Vision Wealth Group is not an accounting or legal entity and does not prepare or file tax returns.

3. Strategy Design

We evaluate withdrawal sequencing, tax-loss harvesting, asset location, Roth conversions, and eligible charitable giving in the context of your accounts, spending needs, and goals. We compare current tax effects with future income needs and remaining after-tax wealth.

4. Implementation

We coordinate the timing and requirements of the strategies you choose. Roth conversions generally must be completed within the intended calendar year. Eligible QCDs can count toward that year’s RMD, but a withdrawal already received cannot simply be redesignated as a QCD. Your tax professional confirms how the rules apply to you.

5. Ongoing Review

We revisit the plan as income, balances, tax rules, and family circumstances change. A business sale, inheritance, retirement, or move can change the trade-offs.

Fee-Only Fiduciary Guidance

Shared Vision Wealth Group is an independent, fee-only fiduciary firm. We do not receive commissions. We explain our fees and potential conflicts as part of the advisory relationship and evaluate recommendations against your financial goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the tax planning process work?

Our tax planning process involves discovery, CPA coordination, strategy design, implementation, and ongoing review. We evaluate strategies like withdrawal sequencing, Roth conversions, and tax-loss harvesting to align your investments with your overall financial and tax goals.

Do you prepare or file my tax return?

No. Your tax preparer or CPA handles your return filing. With your permission, we coordinate directly with them, sharing relevant investment planning details so both strategies use consistent, accurate information.

What is fee-only fiduciary guidance?

As an independent, fee-only fiduciary firm, we do not receive sales commissions or product-based compensation. We act solely in your best interest, providing transparent fee structures and unbiased recommendations aligned with your goals.

Why focus on after-tax results rather than just lowering taxes?

The money available after taxes directly supports your lifestyle and retirement goals. We evaluate tax efficiency alongside investment risk, liquidity needs, and long-term financial stability rather than treating tax minimization as the sole objective.

Review Your Tax Planning

To discuss how investment decisions, retirement withdrawals, and tax planning fit together, call (760) 349-1750.

This material is for informational purposes only. Consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals about your circumstances.