February Monthly Insight: Tax Planning VS. Filing
It’s really cold in Maryland, but we had a lot of fun with the snow and ice. We drove to Lake Needwood and went to the edge of the lake. My daughter went on a little adventure and carefully tested the ice to make sure it was safe for us to go out and come back. We walked slowly on the ice and slid a little.
We noticed a long crack where the ice meets the land. We threw snowballs onto the ice watching they broke apart and sprayed snow in all directions.
The middle of the lake wasn’t frozen. A group of ducks stayed close together and swam around. My son said, “That was a cool adventure!”
I hope you enjoy the ice as well.
Feb 2026 Lake Needwood, Maryland
Lately, several friends have asked me to refer CPAs for help with things like:
Charitable giving strategies
Backdoor Roth / Mega Backdoor Roth
Retirement plans
ISO exercise strategies
Setting a yearly distribution plan (RMDs and tax-efficient withdrawals)
One quick note: tax planning is different from tax filing.
Tax filing = preparing and submitting your return.
Tax planning = making moves before and during the year to potentially reduce taxes and avoid surprises.
Not every CPA offers tax planning. As a financial advisor, we help with tax planning strategies, and we can also coordinate with your CPA for the tax filing piece.
Disclaimer
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
