Ep 82: Tax Planning and Challenges

Smart tax planning starts with understanding your current position and identifying opportunities that match your situation.

In this episode, Scott Ford and team members Jeff Socha – CEO & Founder, Socha Capital Wealth Strategies, Ashley Sowers – Partner, Wealth Advisor, Brian Staples – Wealth Advisor,  and John Saunders – Partner, Wealth Advisor, break down tax planning approaches across three asset tiers: $500k-2M, $2M-10M, and $10M+. We explore foundational concepts like qualified plans and itemized deductions while highlighting business-owner-specific strategies.

The discussion reveals how proactive planning early in the year opens up more options compared to reactive December moves. The team shares real examples of coordination between business structure, retirement accounts, and charitable giving that can help create tax efficiency without unnecessary complexity.

The conversation reinforces that effective tax planning isn’t about chasing exotic strategies or quick fixes. It’s about methodically reviewing options, understanding which ones align with your goals, and implementing them consistently over time. As one team member notes, “Small hinges swing big doors.”

Highlights:
* How qualified plans and cash value life insurance work together as complementary planning tools
* The tax implications of the 2025 sunset provisions and what that means for planning windows
* Using tax-advantaged accounts – understanding the differences between tax-deferred, taxable and tax-free options
* Business entity selection impacts – comparing structures like S-Corps, partnerships and C-Corps for tax treatment
* Income shifting strategies for business owners, including legitimate ways to engage family members in business operations
* The value of proactive planning versus reactive December tax moves, including the “Augusta Rule” for business owners




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Jeff Socha is not an affiliate of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC or CWM, LLC.

Hear Past episodes of the Way2Wealth Podcast!
https://theway2wealth.com

Learn more about our Host, Scott Ford, Managing Director, Partner & Wealth Advisor
https://www.carsonwealth.com/team-members/scott-ford/

Cetera Advisor Networks LLC exclusivly provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera deos not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services. Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business, This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.

Securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. 

Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors. 19833 Leitersburg Pike, Suite 1 Hagerstown, MD 21742. 

Opinions expressed by the presenter may not be representative of Cetera Advisors Networks LLC, or CWM, LLC.

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