WealthCrossing

10/26/2026

Survivor benefits are one of the most overlooked parts of a retirement plan. We don't overlook them.

Your Social Security survivor benefits, life insurance structure, spousal protections, and estate plan all work together to ensure your family is protected if something happens to you. Too many people focus only on their own retirement income and miss the opportunity to optimize protection for those who depend on them.

Survivor benefits deserve the same strategic attention as your own retirement. Let's make sure your plan reflects that.

10/21/2026

Ethan Carter, CPA, Tax Advisor at WealthCrossing, on the misread almost everyone makes about their bonus.

Your bonus wasn’t taxed at a higher rate. For income tax, it’s just ordinary income, taxed at your normal rates like the rest of your pay. What’s different is withholding, what gets held back up front, and that’s what makes the bonus look punished.

If your employer breaks it out as separate income, the IRS flat rule kicks in: 22% federal withholding, 37% on any portion above a million dollars. Virginia adds its 5.75% supplemental rate on top. Regular payroll taxes still apply.

The money that seemed to vanish at withholding isn’t your final tax. It’s an estimate the system makes for you, and it can be too high or too low. The truth comes out when you file.

If your compensation includes bonuses and nobody is looking at the withholding before April, that’s worth fixing. We’re a fee-only firm and we’re taking on new clients. Pull up a chair.

10/20/2026

For years, families rushed to move assets into irrevocable trusts before the estate tax exemption dropped. That drop didn't happen. OBBBA legislation passed in 2025 made the higher exemption permanent. For 2026, it stands at $15 million per individual, or $30 million for married couples with portability.

If your estate is well under that, the federal urgency has eased. But for families with a business, concentrated real estate, or years of growth ahead, $15 million is likely not your ceiling. The case for lifetime gifting hasn't disappeared. It's shifted from beating a deadline to moving future growth outside your estate while you can.



More, from Stephanie Stumpf: https://wealth-crossing.com/irrevocable-trust-wealth-transfer/

10/15/2026

October is the time to lock in year-end tax moves while there is still room to act.

Whether it's tax-loss harvesting, Roth conversions, charitable giving, estimated tax adjustments, or income deferral strategies, the window to make meaningful tax decisions closes fast. Waiting until December means fewer options and more rushed choices.

If you haven't run a year-end tax projection, now is the moment. Small actions taken in October can create significant tax savings when tax day arrives.

Let's review your situation and identify opportunities before the year ends.

10/14/2026

We're honored to be included on CNBC's 2026 Financial Advisor 100 list.

This is the second consecutive year we’ve received this recognition, and it reflects our continued commitment to integrated financial planning, investment management, and tax strategies built around our clients' goals and values. CNBC's rigorous analysis of thousands of firms examines regulatory records, certifications, assets under management, firm size, and longevity to identify the top 100.

We're grateful for this acknowledgment and remain focused on delivering the transparent, fiduciary guidance our clients deserve. No compensation was paid to be included on or promote this list.

See the full list here: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/08/best-financial-advisors.html

10/13/2026

It is not just when you claim Social Security. It is how that decision fits your full income plan.

Your claiming age interacts with your investment withdrawals, required distributions, tax bracket, Medicare premiums, and survivor benefits. A claiming strategy that looks optimal in isolation can create problems elsewhere. Conversely, a slightly lower monthly benefit might be the right choice if it protects your overall tax picture and spousal security.

Social Security is too important to optimize in a vacuum. Let's review it as part of your complete financial plan.

10/06/2026

An exchange fund lets you contribute concentrated shares into a pooled fund alongside other investors diversifying their own single-stock positions. In exchange, you receive a proportional stake in the fund's diversified portfolio, without triggering a taxable sale.

The tradeoff is a required holding period, typically seven years, plus reduced liquidity during that stretch. For individuals wanting to cut single-stock exposure without a large current-year tax bill, that tradeoff is often worth it.

Whether it fits depends on your cash needs, timeline, and investment strategy. Let's evaluate if this approach makes sense for you.



Read more here: https://wealth-crossing.com/reducing-concentrated-stock-position-risk/

10/01/2026

Claiming Social Security at the wrong age can cost a couple tens of thousands over a lifetime.

The difference between claiming at 62 versus waiting until 70, more than just monthly payments, is about total lifetime income, spousal benefits, survivor protection, and how Social Security fits into your broader financial picture. Your break-even point depends on life expectancy, your income needs, and your overall plan.

This isn't a decision to make in isolation or based on a single calculation. Let's review how a claiming strategy fits your full retirement plan.

09/23/2026

Giving up direct control of an asset doesn't have to mean giving up flexibility.

A well-built irrevocable trust can adapt for decades after the gift is made through provisions like limited spousal access and thoughtful asset selection up front.

In our latest blog, Stephanie Stumpf, CPA, PFS, CFP®, CTFA unpacks how SLATs and ILITs can give multi-generational families room to plan without losing the tax and asset protection benefits of an irrevocable trust. https://wealth-crossing.com/irrevocable-trust-wealth-transfer/

An irrevocable trust wealth transfer strategy can move assets out of your estate while keeping flexibility. See how SLATs and ILITs work for HNW families.

09/22/2026

Tax strategy isn't something you do once in April. It's woven throughout your financial life.

Our CPAs and advisors identify opportunities year-round to minimize tax drag, preserve more of your wealth, and align your tax picture with your broader financial goals. From investment management and retirement withdrawals to executive compensation and estate planning, every major financial decision has tax implications.

When tax strategy is integrated throughout your plan rather than treated as an afterthought, the difference compounds over decades.