Why Tax Planning Isn't Just for the Wealthy (or Tax Season)

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Why Tax Planning Isn't Just for the Wealthy (or Tax Season)

Let’s be honest: over your lifetime, taxes might be the single biggest expense you’ll ever have. Bigger than your mortgage. Bigger than your kid’s college tuition.

And if you’re not doing anything about it? You’re the one footing the bill.

Compliance Isn’t Strategy

Filing your return on time? That’s not tax planning. That’s just compliance. It’s the bare minimum.

If you come to us in March or April asking to lower your tax bill, we love you—but that’s not when the magic happens. By then, we’re just reporting what already happened. And at that point, your options are limited.

That's the reactive strategy—and it’s what drains people financially.

💬 “If you owe a scary amount in April? That’s not on us. That’s on you.”

But Here’s the Good News

Today is May 19th. That means you’ve got over six months left in the year to put a real plan in place. There are still dozens of moves we can make—if we start now.

Wait until next March? Your options will shrink faster than your enthusiasm for budgeting.

Introducing: Smarter Taxes at Every Stage

This is Part 1 of a 5-part series breaking down how tax planning evolves across your life. From first jobs to final exits, we’ll show you how real people—not just the ultra-wealthy—use strategy to keep more of what they earn.

We’ll share:

  • Client stories

  • Practical, stage-specific tips

  • The exact frameworks we use with high-net-worth clients (tailored to your life)

And at the end of this series, we’ll show you how it all ties back to great accounting—setting the stage for our next series on building a rock-solid financial foundation.

But first, we need to bust the biggest myth in taxes.

Tax Planning ≠ Tax Prep

Tax prep is when you dump a year’s worth of receipts into a spreadsheet the night before your CPA meeting and pray for a miracle.

Tax planning? That’s strategy. That’s what the people who never owe five-figure surprises in April are doing all year long.

It’s not just for the rich, the self-employed, or crypto bros. It’s for anyone who:

  • Wants to stop guessing

  • Hates overpaying

  • Wants a better plan

When Tax Planning Really Pays Off

Tax planning isn't just for hedge fund managers. It's for anyone living real life. Like:

  • Just got married? Welcome to the dual-income tax cliff.

  • Had a baby? Diapers aren't deductible—but credits are.

  • Started a side hustle? That income comes with strings… and strategy.

  • Buying or selling a home? Timing is everything.

  • Changing jobs or retiring early? Plan now, save later.

  • Buying or selling a business? Mistakes here hurt for years.

  • Investing in real estate, crypto, or stocks? Planning keeps your gains in your pocket.

  • Thinking about retirement? You can’t afford not to plan.

🧾 Client Spotlight: $178K in Future Savings with One Smart Move

Let’s talk about one of our longtime clients—we’ll call him Todd.

Todd and his wife are W-2 earners, bringing in around $300K/year. They decided to invest in a short-term rental in Broken Bow, OK. They’d heard about the tax perks, but wanted to do it right.

Here’s what we did:

  • We ordered a cost segregation study on their Airbnb, unlocking a $175,000 deduction in year one.

  • That saved them $50,000 in taxes immediately.

But we didn’t stop there.

We used that deduction to convert Todd’s 401(k) into a Roth IRA. Normally, that move would cost about $79,000 in taxes. But thanks to the write-off, he only paid $15,000.

Now that money is in a Roth, growing tax-free. In 15 years, with 7% growth, that account becomes $482,000—completely untaxed.

Had it stayed in the 401(k)? That same account could have triggered a $178,000 tax bill in retirement.

The Bottom Line: Why It Matters

Todd had a choice:

  • Take $64,000 today, AND

  • Save $178,000 tomorrow

He chose the long game—and converted to the Roth. But in doing so, he was able to shelter the $79k tax hit he was going to hit and only pay $15k, thats a $64k savings in the year that we built the startegy for him.

This is what real tax planning unlocks:

  • ✅ Immediate savings

  • ✅ Long-term, compounding wealth

  • ✅ More retirement income, less tax drag

 How You Can Work With Us

We’ve got 3 ways to help you start winning with tax planning:

1. Work Directly With Me (Vince)

The most personalized, hands-on option.
🔸 One-on-one strategic planning over 12 months: We’ll build a custom plan around your situation, meet to shape and refine it, and work together throughout the year to execute it.
🔸 Minimum tax bill: $60K - This service is best suited for those with a minimum annual tax bill of $60K. Since my time is limited, I want to ensure we’re a strong fit and that this high-level planning delivers the impact and value you’re looking for.
🔸 Free discovery call: Book here
🔸 Limited to 5 clients annually

2. Strategic Advisory Plan – $335/month

Work with our expert team (trained by me):
🔸 Ongoing, personalized tax strategy
🔸 Quarterly planning + implementation help
🔸 Join here: Click to enroll

3. DIY With Support: Tax Planning Cohort

Learn the game and drive the process yourself.

  • 📘 10-lesson video course + guided Q&A access

  • 💬 Private community for feedback

Two ways to join:
🔹 Course only: $995 – Sign up here
🔹 Full Membership: $165/month
Includes all courses, audit protection, and community access – Join here

Ready to Stop Guessing?

If you're done overpaying and ready to play the long game—we're here to help.

Whether you want white-glove service, advisor support, or just a battle-tested playbook…
Let’s build your plan.

Porter & Company CPAs — Planning Forward, Not Just Filing Backward.