In this episode, Micah shares strategies for quickly estimating a client’s tax liability during a meeting without relying on complex software. He advises keeping a current tax reference guide on your desk to instantly verify brackets and standard deductions. By calculating total fixed income plus required withdrawals, advisors can easily identify a client’s current marginal tax bracket. Ishelanski emphasizes planning based on this marginal rate rather than the effective rate, arguing that new money or conversions are always taxed at the highest tier. Finally, he suggests comparing current rates to the higher rates projected for 2026 to encourage clients to perform Roth conversions now.

Recommended Podcast

Understanding Deal Dynamics in Financial Advisory with Scott DiGiammarino

The M&A space for advisors is changing.

See More

The Power of Mental Checklists [Episode 351]

How do we make this easier for the client?

See More

Encore Episode: You Thought It Would Be Easy…

Embrace Rejection and Risk

See More

Contact Us