Nick Forgione
| Integrated year-end tax planning strategies bring taxes, investments, cash flow, charitable goals, and retirement distributions together into one coordinated plan. At Sachetta, we use this intentional window to model your tax outlook, rebalance thoughtfully, time gains and losses, and prepare for a surprise-free April. |
What does “integrated” mean when it comes to year-end tax planning strategies?
At Sachetta, we approach the final months of the year by reviewing clients’ taxes, investments, and broader financial plan so decisions are aligned and intentional. Rather than treating taxes and portfolios as separate conversations, we integrate them by looking at your tax projection, portfolio positioning, liquidity needs, pending transactions, charitable goals, and estate structure together as one coordinated plan—not a series of disconnected tasks.
Why is the timing of tax planning at year-end so important?
The calendar matters. Many tax rules reset on December 31, so decisions near year-end often determine which opportunities are available (or lost) by the time tax filing season comes around.
That’s why we use this window to:
- project tax brackets
- avoid unnecessary taxable events
- manage distributions
- align contributions
- and ensure liquidity for the moves we plan
Year-end is where intention becomes action.
How can integrated planning reduce avoidable taxes?
When we’re proactive and coordinated, we can meaningfully reduce tax drag over time, especially for families with multiple accounts and moving parts.
That includes:
- harvesting losses strategically,
- realizing gains in favorable years,
- preventing unnecessary short-term gains,
- improving asset location,
- and aligning charitable giving with appreciated positions.
When these pieces reinforce each other instead of working against each other, year-end tax planning strategies become a powerful long-term tool.
Case study: year-end tax planning strategies in action
Earlier this fall, I met with a longtime busy professionals client couple who had:
- a large RSU vesting, (we talked about stock options and taxes)
- meaningful charitable goals,
- and uneven gains and losses in the portfolio.
Instead of treating each issue separately, we:
- projected their taxable income through year-end,
- identified mutual fund distributions heading their way,
- harvested losses in a lagging position,
- donated appreciated shares to their favorite charity,
- and prepared a small Roth conversion to fill the remaining room in a favorable bracket.
One action alone wouldn’t have produced the same outcome. Together, everything worked in harmony.
What’s included in year-end tax planning strategies?
Here’s how we typically approach it with clients:
1) Update your tax projection
We model whether this is a higher- or lower-income year first.
2) Review the portfolio together
We rebalance where it is most tax-efficient and avoid unnecessary sales.
3) Discuss where strategic losses and gains may be beneficial.
Only if they support your long-term plan and align with the year-end tax planning strategies we’ve outlined.
4) Coordinate charitable giving with your investments and taxes.
Often including appreciated securities.
5) Evaluate retirement distributions and contribution opportunities.
Including RMDs, Roth conversions, and plan funding.
This collaboration turns year-end tax planning strategies into a guided, structured, lower-stress process, not a scramble. It also means you know what to expect in April.
What makes Sachetta’s approach different?
At Sachetta, year-end tax planning strategies are not a last-minute checklist—we build them into our coordinated annual service rhythm.
That means:
- proactive modeling before action,
- clarity on timing and sequencing,
- attention to cash flow and liquidity,
- and structured follow-through across the firm.
Clients experience one integrated relationship under one roof.
What’s the real benefit of integrated year-end tax planning?
When we approach year-end intentionally, you’re not navigating dense tax rules or complex investment decisions alone. You have a coordinated team working together on your behalf.
Integrated year-end tax planning strategies create alignment, reduce avoidable surprises, and support the financial life you’re building; not just this year, but for life’s road ahead.
At Sachetta, we view year-end as one of the most meaningful opportunities to support you. When we use this moment well, we begin the next year on steadier footing. If you’d like our help stepping into the end of the year with clarity and confidence, let’s connect.
About the Author:
Nick Forgione is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master's Degree in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Since joining Sachetta in 2022 as an accountant, Nick has worked on projects on both the individual taxation and wealth management sides of our company.
