Strategy Guides
Tax Strategy
Navigate the complexities of the tax code with strategies designed for high earners. From retirement contributions to estimated payments, optimize your tax situation.
Tax
2026 Capital Gains Tax Brackets: Long-Term, Short-Term, and How to Reduce Them
Complete 2026 federal capital gains tax brackets. Long-term rates (0%, 15%, 20%) and short-term ordinary income rates by filing status, plus NIIT, qualified dividends, real estate recapture, and harvesting strategies.
Tax
2026 NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax): Thresholds, Calculation, and How to Reduce It
Complete 2026 Net Investment Income Tax guide. NIIT thresholds ($200K single, $250K MFJ), what counts as investment income, how to calculate the 3.8% surtax, and strategies high earners use to reduce or avoid it.
Tax
Mega Backdoor Roth 2026: Complete Guide for High Earners ($47,500 Strategy)
How to move up to $47,500 per year into Roth using after-tax 401(k) contributions. Eligibility check, in-plan conversion vs in-service withdrawal, pro-rata rule handling, and step-by-step execution for 2026.
Tax
OBBBA Tax Changes for High Earners: Complete 2026 Guide
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act brings major 2026 tax changes for high earners. SALT cap phaseup to $40K, overtime deduction, car loan interest, $15M estate exemption, and the catches high earners miss.
Tax
The 2026 Roth Catch-Up Rule: What $150K+ Earners Need to Know
Starting 2026, if your 2025 FICA wages exceeded $150K, your 401(k) catch-up contributions must be Roth. Who it affects, how to prepare, and what to do if your plan doesn't support Roth catch-ups.
Tax
Backdoor Roth IRA Step-by-Step Guide for High Earners (2026)
How to execute a clean backdoor Roth IRA in 2026 when you're over the income limits. Step-by-step instructions, the pro-rata rule trap, and Form 8606 walkthrough for high earners.
Tax
2026 Retirement Contribution Limits: 401(k), IRA, HSA, and Every Tax-Advantaged Account
Complete 2026 contribution limits for 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 529 plans. Includes catch-up limits, SECURE 2.0 super catch-up, backdoor Roth strategies, and total sheltering capacity for high earners.
Tax
2026 Federal Tax Brackets for High Earners: Single, MFJ, HoH (with $400K and $600K Worked Examples)
Complete 2026 federal income tax brackets for single, MFJ, and HoH filers, plus standard deduction, AMT, capital gains, NIIT, Additional Medicare Tax, and Social Security wage base. Worked examples for $400K single and $600K MFJ households.
Tax
2026 Tax Cliffs Above $150K: Every Phaseout and Stealth Tax for High Earners
Every 2026 phaseout, surtax, and hidden cliff above $150K MAGI, mapped with concrete MAGI strategies. NIIT, IRMAA, SALT phasedown, AMT, education credits, and more.
Tax
The W-2 Tax Playbook for $300K+ Earners: 15+ Legal Tax Levers (2026)
Every 2026 legal tax-reduction strategy for W-2 employees earning $300K+, in order of return: 401(k), HSA, backdoor Roth, mega backdoor Roth, QBI, charitable bunching, tax-loss harvesting, and more. Worked examples for $450K and $700K households.
Tax
RSU Tax Withholding for High Earners (2026): Why 22% Isn't Enough
Default RSU withholding is 22% federal, but high earners owe 35-37%. How to change RSU withholding at Fidelity, handle California RSU tax, report RSUs on your return, and avoid surprise bills.
Tax
529 Plans for High Earners: Best Out-of-State Options When You Get No Deduction
High income means no state 529 deduction. Here's how to choose the best plan based on fees, investments, and flexibility-plus superfunding and SECURE 2.0 strategies.
Tax
The Short-Term Rental Tax Strategy: A High Earner's Guide to Offsetting W-2 Income
Learn how high-income professionals can use short-term rentals to generate non-passive losses that offset W-2 income through the IRS's 7-day rule, cost segregation, and bonus depreciation.
Tax
Estimated Tax Payments: The $300K+ Earner's Complete Guide (2026)
Master quarterly estimated taxes to avoid penalties, optimize cash flow, and handle variable income from RSUs, bonuses, and side businesses. Includes safe harbor strategies, calculation methods, and state-specific guidance.
Tax
Maximizing Retirement Contributions for High Earners
A comprehensive guide to stacking tax-advantaged accounts for $150K+ in annual tax-sheltered savings through 401(k), backdoor Roth, mega backdoor Roth, HSA, SEP IRA, and 529 strategies.