Retirement Tax Matters | Advanced Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Retirees

In Episode 8 of Retirement Tax Matters we dive into optimizing your charitable giving, revealing why writing a check from you checking account is likely costing high-net-worth retirees significant tax dollars. You'll learn about Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from Traditional IRAs, which allow you to donate up to $108,000 tax-free directly from your IRA (bypassing RMD taxes), versus utilizing Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for highly appreciated assets like stocks. We illustrate how donating appreciated securities to a DAF can help you avoid up to a 23.8% capital gains tax on your gains, simultaneously providing a charitable deduction and offering flexible timing for your charitable giving. Discover how to strategically use DAFs to create additional Roth conversion space, potentially dropping from a 32% to a 24% tax bracket in a given year, and even leverage DAFs for anonymous giving. We also break down key updates from OBBBA starting in 2026, including the 0.5% AGI floor for itemized deductions and the new $1,000 Individual / $2,000 Married Filing Jointly deduction for non-itemizers, ensuring your giving strategy remains tax-efficient in 2026 and beyond. This is essential listening for maximizing impact and minimizing your tax burden. | Disclosure

Show Notes

In Episode 8 of Retirement Tax Matters we dive into optimizing your charitable giving, revealing why writing a check from you checking account is likely costing high-net-worth retirees significant tax dollars. You'll learn about Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from Traditional IRAs, which allow you to donate up to $108,000 tax-free directly from your IRA (bypassing RMD taxes), versus utilizing Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for highly appreciated assets like stocks. We illustrate how donating appreciated securities to a DAF can help you avoid up to a 23.8% capital gains tax on your gains, simultaneously providing a charitable deduction and offering flexible timing for your charitable giving. Discover how to strategically use DAFs to create additional Roth conversion space, potentially dropping from a 32% to a 24% tax bracket in a given year, and even leverage DAFs for anonymous giving. We also break down key updates from OBBBA starting in 2026, including the 0.5% AGI floor for itemized deductions and the new $1,000 Individual / $2,000 Married Filing Jointly deduction for non-itemizers, ensuring your giving strategy remains tax-efficient in 2026 and beyond. This is essential listening for maximizing impact and minimizing your tax burden. | Disclosure

What is Retirement Tax Matters | Advanced Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Retirees?

An educational podcast from financial advisors Garrett Crawford, CFP® and Adam Reed, dedicated to helping retirees between $2M-$8M with tax-return driven financial planning. At this level of wealth an integrated strategy for your tax return, investments, and long-term goals is critical. We explore advanced topics like Roth conversions, RMDs, and charitable giving to help you ensure your family remains your biggest beneficiary.