Tax Filing Is History, Tax Planning Is Control: How to Stop Overpaying the IRS Every April

Tax filing reports what already happened. Tax planning is what puts you back in control.If you just finished paying your 2025 taxes and you're wondering how the bill got that big, this week's Money On Tap is for you.Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon walk through the year-round tax strategies most investors — and most financial advisors — are quietly missing. From bracket management and income engineering to real estate depreciation, solo 401(k) contributions, charitable trusts, and the often-overlooked Augusta Rule, this is a working playbook for keeping more of what you earn.What you'll learn:Why tax planning beats tax filing every year — and what most advisors skipHow to engineer your income to stay in a lower bracket without changing your lifestyleThe difference between one-off Roth conversions and a real 10-year Roth strategyReal estate deductions, cost segregation, and the Augusta Rule explainedSolo 401(k) vs SEP IRA — and why business owners routinely leave $30K+ on the tableCharitable remainder trusts: the tax strategy almost nobody talks aboutWhy today's 37% top federal bracket is historically low — and what that means for your retirement planPlus Money In The News:Google's $10M commitment to train American manufacturing workers on AIThe cost to raise a child in the US now tops $300,000South Hadley, MA rejects a 50% property tax hike by a 2-to-1 voteRead the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: [email protected]: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comIs it too late to fix my retirement at 50?No — the 50s are the catch-up years by design. Catch-up provisions let you contribute above the standard limits to 401(k)s and IRAs, the HSA offers triple tax advantages for future healthcare costs, and a backdoor Roth can build a tax-free bucket even if your income is too high for direct contributions. Pair those with a segmented "bucket" strategy — instead of retreating to CDs and cash — and most late starts can still be rescued. The first step is knowing your income need, not chasing a number.