Tax Planning vs. Tax Preparation: The Important Money- Saving Distinction

Share Post: facebook Created with Sketch. twitter Created with Sketch. linkedin Created with Sketch. mail Created with Sketch. print Created with Sketch.

Written by Casey Franken, CFP, Wealth Advisor

Whew.

Another tax season is behind us as most individuals have either filed their tax returns or filed for an extension by the new IRS deadline of May 17. Though we’re not accountants, we know how chaotic this time of year can be for people.

If you’re like most, you probably handled a plethora of phone calls with your accountant or tax preparer as the deadline suddenly approached. Perhaps a few of these calls involved “mini epiphanies” of something you could have done months prior to reduce your tax bill.

Our team at Pinnacle Wealth practices proactiveness over reactiveness. In this article, I will introduce the clear distinction between tax planning and tax preparation and how the former can save you significant sums of money come tax time.

All it takes is a little forward thinking.

What is “tax planning”?

Think of tax planning as a look into the future. You know you have a tax bill coming, and you want to make sure you maximize all the opportunities the government offers in order to lower that tax bill.

Tax preparation, on the other hand, is historical. It looks into the past and seeks to make the most of what’s already occurred regarding your financial picture.

A good tax preparer will know the right questions to ask to maximize those credits and deductions, whereas a good tax planner will already know your situation well and help you take advantage of tax-saving strategies otherwise unheard of.

As a quick example to better paint this picture, consider a Roth conversion (converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA), which must be completed by December 31. If you wait until the tax filing window the following year, it will be too late to take advantage of this long-term strategy.

Is tax planning only for the ultra-rich?

No. Proactive tax planning applies to anyone who files a tax return.

While there are some unique strategies available only to those with top-tier
incomes, most strategies apply to lower- and middle-class income earners as well.

Some of these services include:

● Establishing retirement plans
● Roth conversions
● Charitable giving strategies
● Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
● Pre-paying property taxes
● Employer withholding amounts
● Education tax credits
● Medicare Part B/D premium planning
● Tax loss harvesting or realizing gains

 

Additionally, you are at a significant advantage if you are self employed or hold an interest in a pass through entity. There are several retirement plans available to self-employed individuals, including a Solo-401k, SIMPLE IRA, SEP-IRA, and an ESOP. Certain plans can reduce self-employment taxes along with federal income taxes.

 

Does Pinnacle Wealth help their clients with tax planning?

Absolutely, and we strongly encourage each of our clients to employ their available strategies.

The difficult thing for individuals seeking to maximize their tax savings is that they are not well versed in the tax code, which is constantly updated. You don’t know what you don’t know, which is why a proactive, professional tax planner and wealth advisor will simultaneously relieve headaches and help you retain more of your income.

Each of our advisors at Pinnacle Wealth are well versed in the tax code and continually follow tax law changes. We have three Certified Financial Planners on staff, each of whom has elevated knowledge of tax planning strategies.

While we are not licensed to offer tax advice, we are able to provide suggestions on strategies to be reviewed with a client’s CPA. Fortunately, we have many relationships with CPAs throughout the Sioux Empire region. If a client is in search of a CPA or feels they are underserved by their existing accountant, we are happy to connect them with a suitable fit.

 

Conclusion

Here’s the reality: Most people have tax-saving strategies available to them that they are not taking advantage of.

But the good news is that professional services exist to capitalize on these missed opportunities. Our firm does not charge for tax planning services and will gladly provide a tax report for anybody who shares their prior returns.

For an example of what this looks like, download a complimentary sample report here.

In addition to this complimentary report, any of our advisors welcome the chance to sit down with anyone looking to better plan their taxes and grow their wealth. If you’d like to explore ways in which you can take control of your finances, I encourage you to call our office and set up a coffee meeting with one of our advisors.

Proactively planning for tax season is only one of the many ingredients for a successful wealth-building plan. But doing so can mean big differences in your family’s wealth in the long run.

 

Converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a taxable event.

Share:
facebook Created with Sketch. twitter Created with Sketch. linkedin Created with Sketch. mail Created with Sketch. print Created with Sketch.
Share Post: facebook Created with Sketch. twitter Created with Sketch. linkedin Created with Sketch. mail Created with Sketch. print Created with Sketch.

RECENT POSTS

Your Silicon Valley Bank Questions Answered

You likely have heard about the recent Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse and probably have questions. Here, we provide you with unbiased answers to your questions.

Thinking About Retiring Early? 8 Things to Consider First

Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Senior Wealth Planner We’ve all asked ourselves whether it’s too early to retire (usually after a particularly challenging commute or dealing with a difficult client).  You may have even gone so far as to take a sneak peek at your account statements …

4 Tips to Take Your 401(k) to the Next Level

Matt Kory, Vice President, Retirement Programs As a retirement income vehicle, the 401(k) is second in popularity only to Social Security – and as CNBC reported in 2019 the number of 401(k) millionaires is at an all-time high. But is a million dollars even enough for your retirement needs? 

Should I Open a Traditional or Roth IRA?

Multiple retirement savings vehicles are available but having options can be overwhelming. Each option comes with different rules leading to a variance of outcomes in the short-term and long-term. It’s not that dissimilar to choosing what to eat.

1 2 3 103 104 105

Get in Touch

In just 15 minutes we can get to know your situation, then connect you with an advisor committed to helping you pursue true wealth.

Schedule a Consultation

TweetsFollow Us