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Tax Planning

Keep more of what you have earned — by planning ahead, not filing later.

A tax preparer looks backward at the year that just ended. Tax planning looks forward. The main goal is tax diversification — having money in taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free buckets so that in any given year you can choose where income comes from.

Who this is for

You might recognise yourself here

Almost everything you have is in a 401(k) or traditional IRA

That is one bucket, and every dollar that comes out of it is taxed as ordinary income. Required minimum distributions can push you into a bracket you did not choose.

You are in a low-income window before RMDs begin

The years between retiring and required distributions are often the lowest-tax years of your life — and the best window for conversions.

You are carrying large unrealized gains

A concentrated stock position or an old taxable account can be unwound gradually and deliberately instead of all at once.

What we do

How this works in practice

No jargon, no black box. Here is the actual work.

Every engagement starts the same way A complimentary visit, a real conversation about your goals, and a clear picture of whether we are a good fit. Nothing is sold in the first meeting.
  1. Assess the whole tax picture

    Income taxes now, capital gains on the way, and estate taxes later — including how Florida's lack of a state income tax changes the math.

  2. Build tax diversification

    We work toward a balance across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts so that future you has options instead of one forced answer.

  3. Evaluate Roth conversions

    Converting in low-income years can lower lifetime taxes and shrink future required distributions. We model the bracket, the Medicare premium surcharge, and the break-even.

  4. Sequence withdrawals

    Which account you tap first — and in what proportion — is one of the highest-value decisions in retirement.

  5. Coordinate with your CPA

    We do not prepare returns or give tax advice. We build the strategy and then get your tax professional in the room so the plan and the return agree.

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How it fits your bigger plan

One piece of a single plan

Tax planning is the quiet multiplier. It does not change what your investments earn, but it changes what you keep — and it touches income planning, legacy planning, and Medicare premiums all at once. That is exactly why it belongs inside one plan rather than at the end of one.

See the comprehensive plan

Questions

Common questions about Tax Planning

Do you do my taxes?

No. French Capital Management does not provide legal or tax advice and does not prepare returns. We build the strategy and work alongside your CPA or attorney so everyone is looking at the same plan.

Is a Roth conversion right for me?

Sometimes. It depends on your bracket today versus the bracket you expect later, whether you can pay the tax from outside the account, how it affects Medicare premiums, and what you want to leave behind. It is a math question, and we run it.

What are required minimum distributions?

Once you reach the required age, the IRS makes you withdraw a minimum amount from tax-deferred accounts each year whether you need the money or not. Planning in the years beforehand is how you keep those distributions from pushing you into a higher bracket.

I live in Florida — does state tax planning still matter?

Florida has no state income tax, which helps. Federal taxes, capital gains, Medicare premium surcharges, and estate taxes still apply, and a move across state lines later can change everything.

Let's talk about your plan

A relaxed, no-pressure conversation about your goals. Free, about 30 minutes, and you will leave with something useful whether or not we work together.

Veteran-owned · Independent fiduciary · Jacksonville, Florida