Every investor has felt it — that stomach-drop sensation when the market tumbles 3% in a single afternoon, or when headlines scream about economic uncertainty and your portfolio balance looks nothing like it did last week.
Beyond Tax Filing: Building a Year-Round Tax Strategy
For many people, taxes show up once a year and are often accompanied by frustration and a scramble to gather documents. Then, just as quickly, they disappear until next April.
Considering taxes once a year represents one critical issue - by the time you’re filing your tax return, most of the important decisions have already been made. If you’re only thinking about taxes during filing season, you’re not managing taxes - you’re reporting history. A more effective approach is to treat taxes as a year-round strategy that integrates with your broader financial plan.
5 Financial Habits That Build and Maintain Long-Term Wealth in 2026
Your Last Chance to Slash Your 2025 Tax Bill (Before It's Too Late)
As we approach the end of 2025, now is the perfect time to review your financial situation and implement strategies that could significantly reduce your tax burden. At HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, comprehensive tax planning is a year-round endeavor; however, here are several powerful moves you can make before December 31 to improve your tax position. Here are the most impactful last-minute tax-saving opportunities to consider.
The IRS Clock Is Ticking: What You Need to Know (and Do) Before RMDs Kick In
You've saved diligently for decades—building up balances in your traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts. But eventually, Uncle Sam comes calling. Those tax-deferred dollars can't stay sheltered forever, and at a certain age, you must start taking money out—whether you need it or not. These withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and how you handle them can have ripple effects across your entire tax picture, retirement income strategy, and even your estate plan.
Clarifying Your Charitable Vision: A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Purposeful Giving
Many people begin their charitable journey with spontaneous acts of generosity—supporting a friend’s fundraiser or responding to a heartfelt appeal from a local nonprofit. While these gifts are meaningful, as your wealth grows and your desire to make a lasting difference deepens, it becomes essential to approach giving with greater intention and clarity.
Maximize Your Charitable Impact and Minimize Taxes: How to Donate Appreciated Stock and Equity Compensation
Donating appreciated stock and equity compensation is a powerful way for savvy investors, pharmaceutical executives, and high-income earners to reduce tax liability while supporting meaningful causes. By leveraging appreciated assets like stocks or restricted stock units (RSUs), donors can avoid capital gains taxes, diversify their portfolios, and preserve liquidity for other financial needs.
New Charitable Gift Annuity Opportunities Under Secure Act 2.0
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): Are You Charitably Inclined?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution, QCD, is one of the most tax efficient methods of donating for individuals above the age of 70 ½ that are charitably inclined. Under this method, individuals age 70 ½ or older can transfer up to $100,000 per year from their IRA to a charity. Keep in mind the age to begin RMDs has been increased to age 72 by the SECURE ACT which took effect on January 1, 2020 but does not affect the QCD age.
Tax Planning: The Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) and Bunching Charitable Contributions
Prior to the passing of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) in December of 2017 you likely enjoyed the tax deduction that came with your charitable contributions – no matter the size of the donation. If you lived in a state where you paid state income taxes and had high property taxes you were probably itemizing your deductions (See NJ, NY, CT, and MA – just to name a few).