Taylor Financial

06/02/2026

A Donor Advised Fund, or DAF, can be one of the more tax efficient charitable giving tools available, especially during a high income year.

Think of it almost like a charitable investment account.

You contribute cash or investments into the account.

You may be eligible for a charitable deduction.

Then you can recommend grants to charities over time.

One area where this can become especially powerful is with appreciated securities.

For example, let’s say you bought stock years ago for $20,000 and today it is worth $100,000.

If you sold the stock first, you may owe capital gains taxes on the $80,000 gain.

But if you transfer those shares directly into a Donor Advised Fund, you may be able to reduce or avoid capital gains on the donated amount, subject to IRS rules, and may be eligible for a charitable deduction based on fair market value, subject to applicable limits.

This can be especially helpful in high income years, such as when you sell a business, exercise stock options, receive a large bonus, or complete a Roth conversion.

This strategy is often called “bunching.”

You stack multiple years of charitable giving into one higher income year, potentially maximize the tax benefit, and then still give to charities gradually over time from the DAF.

The big takeaway:

A Donor Advised Fund can help combine charitable intent with tax planning.

It is not right for everyone, but for the right family, it can create flexibility, tax efficiency, and a more strategic way to give.

05/29/2026

If you have ever looked at your benefits package and wondered, “What is the difference between an HSA and an FSA?” you are not alone.

They may sound similar, but they work very differently.

An FSA, or Flexible Spending Account, is typically a short-term spending account. You put money in pre-tax, but if you do not use it by the deadline or grace period, you may lose it.

That can make an FSA useful for predictable expenses like prescriptions, doctor visits, dental work, vision costs, or planned procedures.

An HSA, or Health Savings Account, works differently. It is tied to a high deductible health plan, but it can come with a much bigger long-term tax advantage.

You may receive a tax deduction going in, the money can grow tax free, and withdrawals can be tax free when used for qualified medical expenses.

For 2026, the HSA contribution limits are $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage.

The big takeaway:

FSAs are usually short-term tools.

HSAs can be long-term wealth-building tools.

Not everyone qualifies for an HSA, and the right choice depends on your situation, but if you have access to one, it is worth taking a closer look.

At Taylor Financial, we help clients look at the bigger picture, including benefits, taxes, investments, retirement planning, and long-term strategy.

05/26/2026

Here’s something that catches a lot of investors off guard.

You can owe taxes on an investment even if the investment itself lost money.

This often happens with mutual funds because the fund manager may sell positions inside the fund at a gain. Those gains can be passed through to shareholders as capital gains distributions.

So even if your fund is down for the year, you may still receive a taxable distribution.

That does not mean mutual funds are bad, but it does mean investors should understand how different investments are taxed and why tax efficiency matters.

The big takeaway: taxes do not always follow your account balance. They follow the activity inside the investment.

At Taylor Financial, we help clients look at the bigger picture, including investments, taxes, retirement, estate planning, and long term strategy.

05/21/2026

There is a tax many high earners do not realize they are paying.

It is called the Net Investment Income Tax, or NIIT.

This is an additional 3.8% tax that may apply to certain types of investment income once your income crosses specific thresholds. That can include interest, dividends, capital gains, rental income, and other passive income.

The part that catches many people off guard is the “crossover zone.” A bonus, stock sale, Roth conversion, or other income event could push you over the threshold and expose part of your investment income to this additional tax.

That is why tax planning is not just about how much income you have. It is also about when you recognize that income.

Coordinating with your advisor and CPA can help you make more informed decisions around investments, taxes, and long term planning.

05/19/2026

Not all investments are taxed the same.

Two investments could both generate the same return, but the amount you actually keep after taxes could be very different.

That is why tax planning and investment planning should work together.

Ordinary income, capital gains, municipal bond interest, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and 529 plans can all be taxed differently depending on how they are used.

The big takeaway: good investing is not just about chasing returns. It is about building a strategy that is efficient after taxes.

Because at the end of the day, it is not what you earn. It is what you keep.

05/18/2026

Why Your Backdoor Roth IRA May Not Be Tax Free
If you’re a high earner, chances are you’ve heard about the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy.

But what many people miss is the pro rata rule… and it can create an unexpected tax bill if you’re not careful.

In this video, I break down:
• How the Backdoor Roth works
• Why existing IRA balances matter
• The tax impact of the pro rata rule
• Potential planning ideas for business owners and high income earners

This is one of those areas where proper planning can make a big difference.

05/14/2026

We’re pleased to recognize Steven Lusk, Investment Director at Taylor Financial.

Steven joined the financial services industry in 2021 and has experience across brokerage services, investment operations, and client relationship management. He previously worked with Charles Schwab, where he obtained his Series 7 license, and later served in a Senior Analyst role at DTCC within Corporate Actions. Prior to joining Taylor Financial, Steven worked as an Investment Counselor and obtained his Series 65 license.

His background provides experience in investment research, portfolio implementation, and client communication during a wide range of market environments.

At Taylor Financial, Steven supports the firm’s investment process through market analysis, portfolio monitoring, and ongoing collaboration with clients and the advisory team to help keep investment strategies aligned with long-term financial objectives and risk tolerance.

In addition to his industry experience, Steven is actively participating in Dale Carnegie training focused on effective communication and human relations, reflecting his commitment to continued personal and professional development. He is also actively pursuing the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®️) designation as part of his ongoing focus on fiduciary best practices and investment stewardship.

We appreciate Steven’s professionalism, dedication, and client-first mindset.

We tame the chaos by pairing all your dreams, goals, and financials with our expertise to build a customized plan specific to your life.

05/13/2026

If you own a business, you may be eligible for a tax deduction that could reduce your taxable income by up to 20%.

It’s called the Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID), and many business owners either don’t fully understand it or aren’t maximizing it.

In this video, I break down:
• How the deduction works
• Which businesses may qualify
• Income limitations and important caveats
• Why structure and planning matter

This can be a very powerful tax planning tool when implemented properly.

If you have questions about how this may apply to your business or investments, feel free to reach out.

04/27/2026

The market feels a little jumpy right now. That’s normal.

Volatility, corrections, and even downturns have always been part of investing. The challenge isn’t the headlines… it’s how people react to them.

Trying to time the market during moments like this can do more harm than good. The best days and worst days tend to happen right next to each other.

Our focus stays simple:
Stay diversified
Manage risk
Stick to the plan

If you want a second set of eyes on your portfolio or just want to talk things through, we’re here.

03/26/2026

The Most Overlooked Part of Financial Planning: Taxes
MORE TO COME
Taxes affect how you invest, save, withdraw income, and pass wealth to future generations. In this intro to the Tax Planning Certified Professional (TPCP) curriculum, Adam explains why tax strategy is often overlooked and why it deserves a central role in financial planning conversations.