Your CPA files your return based on what already happened.
Tax planning works the other way around, looking ahead to shape that outcome before it's final. Let’s shape that outcome together.
Tax Planning Services
from our South Carolina and Tennessee offices, serving clients nationwide.
Tax Planning Review & Coordination
Ensure your overall financial and investment strategy is tax-efficient, and coordinate with your CPA or tax preparer so nothing falls through the cracks between planning and filing.
Services Include
- Annual tax planning reviews
- Coordination with CPAs and tax preparers
- Mid-year and year-end tax projections
- Document organization and recordkeeping guidance
Tax-Efficient Investment Strategies
Structure your portfolio to minimize the drag of taxes on your long-term returns.
Services Include
- Tax-loss harvesting
- Asset location strategies (tax-deferred vs. taxable vs. tax-free accounts)
- Capital gains management
- Municipal bond and tax-advantaged investment analysis
Retirement Account & Withdrawal Planning
Retirement Account & Withdrawal Planning
Services Include
- Roth conversion analysis
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) planning
- Withdrawal sequencing strategies
- Social Security and Medicare (IRMAA) tax coordination
Charitable Giving Strategies
Align your giving with your tax situation to maximize impact and efficiency.
Services Include
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
- Donor-advised fund strategies
- Gifting appreciated securities
- Charitable trust coordination with your attorney
Tax Planning for Major Life & Income Events
Prepare for the tax impact of significant financial or life transitions.
Services Include
- Business sale or liquidity event planning
- Stock option and equity compensation planning
- Inheritance and windfall tax planning
- Job change, relocation, or retirement transition planning
Tax Planning for Business Owners
Coordinate entity structure and compensation decisions with long-term tax strategy.
Services Include
- Entity structure review (in coordination with CPA/attorney)
- Retirement plan design (SEP, SIMPLE, Solo 401(k), etc.)
- Compensation and distribution planning
- Succession and exit tax planning
Centaurus Financial, Inc. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your own legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation.
Who Needs Tax Planning?
You’re approaching or in retirement
RMDs, Social Security, and Medicare (IRMAA) surcharges can push you into a higher bracket if withdrawals aren't sequenced carefully.
You have money in multiple account types
Traditional, Roth, and taxable accounts each have different tax consequences; when and how much you pull from each matters.
You have equity compensation
Stock options, RSUs, or concentrated stock create tax exposure around vesting, exercising, and selling.
You give to charity, even informally
Gifting appreciated stock or using a QCD can accomplish the same goal at a lower tax cost than giving cash.
Selling appreciated real estate
Capital gains, depreciation recapture, and 1031 exchanges each affect your tax bill differently; timing the sale and reinvestment can change what you keep.
You only talk to a tax professional at filing time
By then, most planning opportunities for the year are gone. Filing reports the results; planning happens before December 31.
This list isn't exhaustive; every financial situation is different. If you're not sure where you stand, reach out, and we'll help evaluate your tax position.
Tax Planning FAQs
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Is tax planning the same as tax preparation?
Not quite. Tax preparation is the process of documenting what already happened and filing your return. Tax planning happens throughout the year and focuses on decisions you can still make, like timing income, harvesting losses, or adjusting contributions, that shape what you'll eventually owe.
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Do I need tax planning if I already work with a CPA?
Yes, and the two work well together. Many CPAs are focused on accurate, timely filing rather than proactive strategy. We handle the planning conversations earlier in the year and coordinate with your CPA so the strategy and the filing stay aligned.
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When should I start tax planning?
The earlier in the year, the better. Many of the most effective tax strategies, like retirement contributions or Roth conversions, have deadlines well before your return is due. Waiting until tax season often means missing opportunities that were available months earlier.
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Will you work with my current CPA or accountant?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with clients' existing CPAs and accountants rather than asking you to switch. We'll bring planning ideas to the table and let your CPA weigh in on the filing details.
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How often should my tax situation be reviewed?
At least once a year, and more often if your income, business, or life circumstances are changing. A mid-year check-in gives you time to make adjustments before December 31, when most planning options close.
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What if my tax situation is complicated?
Complicated situations, like business income, equity compensation, multiple properties, or significant charitable giving, are exactly where planning tends to matter most. We're comfortable working through those details alongside your CPA to find opportunities that a simpler approach might miss.
