Advanced Tax StrategiesAdvanced Tax Planning for Family Estates in 2026
How advanced tax planning for family estates coordinates the $15M exclusion, gifting, trusts and basis so one decision doesn't undo another.
Lenny Whiting on
Tax, estate planning and wealth management insights
Expert insights on estate planning, asset protection, tax law, tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, accounting practices, wealth management, and legal matters for businesses and individuals.
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Advanced Tax Strategies
Advanced Tax Strategies
Step-Up in Basis Planning Strategies for Estate Tax
How the step-up in basis works under IRC 1014, why community property matters in Nevada, and planning mistakes that can cost your heirs.
Lenny Whiting
Advanced Tax Strategies
2026 Estate Tax Exemption Sunset: What Changed
The 2026 estate tax exemption sunset was replaced by a $15 million exclusion. Here's what changed and what to review with your advisor.
Lenny Whiting
Tax Planning
Tax Planning Strategies for High-Income Earners 2026
Where the 37% rate and 3.8% NIIT start in 2026, and the advanced moves high-income earners can use to keep more of what they earn.
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Advanced Tax Strategies
Roth Conversion Ladder: A Step-by-Step Tax Strategy for Early Access and Lower Lifetime Taxes
A Roth conversion ladder can fund early retirement access and cut lifetime taxes but it can also raise Medicare premiums. See the 5-year rule and the traps.
Lenny Whiting
Advanced Tax Strategies
1031 Exchange: How to Defer Capital Gains Tax on Investment Real Estate
A 1031 exchange defers capital gains on real estate if you hit two unforgiving deadlines. See the rules, the traps, and how it pairs with an estate plan.
Lenny Whiting
Advanced Tax Strategies
Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Roth: Advanced Roth Strategies for High Earners
Earn too much for a Roth IRA? See how the backdoor Roth IRA and mega backdoor Roth work in 2026, the pro-rata trap, and up to $72,000 in Roth room.
Lenny Whiting
Advanced Tax Strategies
Cash Balance Plans: An Advanced Tax Strategy for Business Owners Who've Maxed Out Their 401(k)
A cash balance plan can let a 55-year-old business owner deduct $253,300 a year, far past 401(k) limits. See how it works, what it costs, and who qualifies.
Lenny Whiting
Estate Planning
Advanced Tax Planning for Family Estates and Complex Trusts
Complex trusts hit the top 37% tax bracket at $15,650 of income. See how SLATs, GRATs, and GST planning protect family estates — from a CPA/attorney firm.
Lenny Whiting
Advanced Tax Strategies
Advanced Tax Strategies for Selling a Business
I break down how QSBS, a deferred sales trust and smart deal structure work together to cut the tax bill when you sell your business.
Lenny Whiting
Advanced Tax Strategies
Tax Strategies That Actually Hold Up Under IRS Examination
Which tax strategies are legal, and which get flagged as abusive? A Las Vegas dual CPA/tax attorney breaks down what actually holds up under IRS examination.
Lenny Whiting
Business Planning
When Do You Need a Business Tax Attorney in Las Vegas? A Guide for Business Owners Facing IRS Problems
IRS lien filings jumped 36% since 2022. Here's when a Las Vegas business owner needs a business tax attorney, not just a CPA.
Lenny Whiting
Tax Strategy
Estate Tax Planning Strategies 2026: $15M Exemption Guide
If you've read that the estate tax exemption is about to crash back down to roughly $7 million, that's outdated information. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, P.L. 119-21), signed July 4, 2025, permanently eliminated the scheduled 2026 sunset and set the federal estate and gift tax exemption at $15 million per individual and $30 million per married couple through portability (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, 2025).That permanence changes the planning conversation. Estate tax planning strategies for 2026 no longer center on racing the clock before an exemption cliff. They center on a different question: which mix of lifetime gifting, trust structures, and basis step-up planning actually minimizes your family's total tax burden under law that's now built to last.
Lenny Whiting