After months of negotiations, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is now the law of the land, and it includes numerous provisions that will have profound tax and financial implications for business owners and founders for many years. Given the vast number of new tax provisions being implemented and current tax provisions being altered, taxpayers have a lot to consider with upcoming investment and business decisions. Here’s a high-level overview of some of the most impactful provisions and potential personal financial planning strategies that owners and founders might want to consider.
Most New Yorkers will never need to worry about federal estate taxes, due in part to the 2025 federal estate tax exemption of $13.99 million per individual - or nearly $28 million for a married couple. However, high-net-worth and some mass affluent families should carefully consider estate planning strategies to address New York State’s estate tax, which applies to estates exceeding $7.16 million and includes several particularly punitive provisions.
QSBS is arguably the most attractive tax strategy available to entrepreneurs in the U.S., and the current environment may be the golden age for QSBS strategies. There are several personal financial planning strategies that can enhance or even multiply the Section 1202 QSBS benefit, which allows for a capital gain exclusion of $10 million, 10 times the investment basis, or thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) $15 million for shares issued after 7/4/25.
Deciding whether to do a Roth conversion isn't just about comparing your current and future tax brackets; it involves a lot more, like potential changes in tax laws and how you'll cover the conversion costs. It's a good idea to sit down with a financial planner to look at your overall situation, including future income, state taxes, and estate planning, to figure out the best move for you.
Under the right circumstances, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) can be an ideal exit strategy for a business owner from a financial planning perspective. For some owners, it offers a chance to unlock significant liquidity, reduce taxes on the sale, preserve the company’s legacy, and retain a stake in the business’s future success.
Exit planning for business owners, when started early, significantly enhances business value and ensures personal and financial goals are met. By addressing potential issues and thoroughly preparing, owners can achieve a successful and fulfilling transition, maximizing the benefits of their hard-earned legacy.
By familiarizing themselves with the range of financial planning and tax strategies, entrepreneurs and business owners can significantly enhance their chance of success in a business sale.
Most business owners and entrepreneurs face an ever increasingly competitive and rapidly changing business environment with an incredible number of issues demanding their time, focus and headspace. Here are some strategies and tips for business owners that can help them make progress on their personal financial goals, save them money, and de-risk the impact of their businesses on their lives.
Liquid securities investing and illiquid real estate investing can be complementary. However, the key to navigating between these areas is having an appropriate framework for how to think about investing in real estate in the context of personal planning goals, risk management, liquid investing, tax planning, and estate planning. Here are some considerations when it comes to real estate investing in the context of your personal financial planning.
Summit Fever describes a phenomenon where a mountain-climber approaches the summit of a climb they become more likely to take outsized risks. It’s not a hard task to draw parallels between this behavior and investors with concentrated stock positions.
You’re already conscious consumer. How about becoming a conscious investor as well? Implement a sustainable investment portfolio that will make a difference for the causes you care about while achieving your financial goals. ESG-focused companies have not only seen higher returns in recent years, but also stronger earnings and dividends. But make sure to avoid these pitfalls.
You've got so much equity vesting over the next several years and your income has never been better. There's just one problem: You're not happy at work. How do you keep yourself from getting stuck in a job when there’s valuable equity at stake?
The effects of psychological barriers and biases on investment decisions are well documented, yet still they often manage to be amplified when dealing with stock positions in an individual’s own company.
If you’re an individual with ISOs (Incentive Stock Options), you quickly learn that AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) can become a very real consideration around exercising those options.
Top wealth management strategies for high net worth families given the current market turmoil, low interest rate, and tax environment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
