Case Study:

Senior Consultant's Bonus & Multi-State Coordination Plan

Turning big bonuses, profit-sharing, and multi-state work into a structured personal cadence.

MATEO'S STORY

Mateo is a senior consultant based in Greater Boston. He’s single and helps support his mother, who lives alone. His base pay was steady, but bonuses were large and lumpy, and frequent out-of-state work required nonresident returns. Each year raised the same questions: Should I pre-allocate the bonus before it hits? Will supplemental wage withholding be enough? Which states will expect returns this year? How do I keep saving on track while reliably funding my mom’s needs?

When he came to Sachetta, we replaced ad-hoc decisions with a standing playbook: we set a bonus pre-allocation, coordinated multi-state payroll and tax filing, and aligned 401(k)/profit-sharing timing with his savings targets. It wasn’t a one-time fix—it became an operating rhythm he could run every year, even with his busy schedule.
Senior consultant thinking about a bonus pre-allocation plan that includes support for his mother while biking in the mountains.

MATEO'S PLAN

Bonus & cash-flow system. We built a bonus playbook that pre-allocates each bonus:
(a) reserves/cash runway, (b) estimated taxes or added withholding on the bonus, (c) dedicated parent-support allocation, (d) investments toward long-term goals.

Portfolio & taxable investing. We manage the portfolio across taxable and retirement accounts: set the target allocation, use asset location (what belongs in taxable vs. 401(k)/IRA), automate bonus-to-brokerage sweeps, and implement tax-aware moves (specific-lot, rebalancing, loss harvesting).

Tax planning & filing coordination. We mapped work locations and set a sourcing & nonresident filing calendar, then coordinated with employer payroll on state-withholding clean-ups and estimated-tax true-ups to avoid surprises.

Savings & benefits alignment. We synchronized 401(k)/profit-sharing timing with annual targets and created a caregiving runway so saving doesn’t stall when parent expenses spike or time off is needed.

Estate & beneficiaries. We refreshed Mateo’s core estate documents and titling/beneficiaries with an eye to Massachusetts estate-tax exposure. When appropriate, we coordinated with his mother’s professionals for her own planning.

ACTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS

In the first 90 days, we turn lumpy income and out-of-state work into a personal cadence—pre-allocating the bonus, coordinating payroll, and organizing the filing calendar.

  • Implement bonus pre-allocation.

  • Stand up a sourcing & nonresident filing calendar with payroll coordination and withholding clean-ups.

  • Enable taxable investing: open/confirm brokerage, set automatic bonus-to-brokerage sweep, choose specific-lot basis, and link accounts in the vault.

  • Align 401(k)/profit-sharing timing with annual savings targets and a caregiving runway.

  • Begin estate document and beneficiary review.

RESULTS

Mateo now has a durable framework for each bonus that keeps taxes, nonresident filings, savings, and parent-support funding on schedule. We run the ongoing tax planning and investment review cadence with Mateo—adjusting as work patterns and caregiving needs evolve.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

If this feels familiar, a coordinated plan would likely center on:

  • A bonus funding system that pre-allocates cash before it lands.

  • A sourcing & nonresident tax filing calendar coordinated with payroll.

  • Savings that stay on track alongside support for a parent.

     
Woman reading in a hammock; ongoing coordination with insurance and attorneys.

 

 

 

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Behind every financial plan is a real life—full of deadlines, family goals, and important decisions. This story reflects the kinds of challenges our clients bring to us, and how we build calm, clear strategies in response. While this story is fictional, the strategies are true to life.

Disclaimer: Action plans and results are shown for illustrative purposes only, are not indicative of any specific Sachetta client, and will vary based on each client’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Last updated September 2, 2025.