Strategic Tax Planning & Preparation Services
With considerable wealth comes a greater need to partner with tax experts who can navigate the ever-changing landscape of tax policy. Fairman’s tax team looks at your wealth holistically to identify strategies available for your situation.
Our team of tax advisors help you manage taxes and plan for the future
We provide proactive, strategic planning to minimize taxes and analyze the tax implications of various financial decisions. We can also assist with federal, state and local tax return preparation for individuals, trusts and other entities.
We keep abreast of critical tax laws changes to determine how they impact your unique situation. Also, we can act as a liaison with tax authorities and assist with responding to audits, notices and other requests.
Who Is Tax Planning, Preparation, and Strategy For?
Our tax planning, preparation, and strategy services are designed to minimize tax obligations for high-net-worth clients with complex tax situations in the long term. We specialize in handling the complexities that executives with equity compensation, business owners, and high-net-worth families need to navigate. This includes complex tax return preparation as well as year-round and multi-year work to take advantage of planning opportunities.
Tax Strategies We Utilize
While high net worth tax planning is always tailored to the individual client’s needs, these are some of the tax strategies our team will consider when building your plan.
Donor Advised Funds
While there are several ways to lower taxes by giving to charity, donor-advised funds are one of the most flexible. A client contributes cash, stocks, or other assets to the fund, and these donations are tax-deductible in the year of the contribution. Assets can then continue to grow within the fund, and the donor can provide grants to any charities they would like at any time, subject to any requirements the fund has.
Gift Tax Planning
For wealthy families with large estates, giving money to children, grandchildren, or other family members during the client’s lifetime reduces the size of the estate, which reduces or eliminates the estate tax. In 2025, individuals can gift up to $19,000 per recipient per year without paying gift taxes.
Qualified Small Business Stock Exemption
The Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exemption allows investors to avoid capital gains tax on 100% of qualifying small business stock that they hold for more than five years. Unlike many tax planning strategies, investing in QSBS allows you to pursue capital gains without paying taxes on those gains.
Equity Compensation Timing
Equity compensation adds complexity to a client’s situation, but it also opens up more tax planning opportunities. For executives with stock options, choosing when to exercise those options is key. If the exercise price is lower than the fair market value of the stock, exercising the options can trigger a substantial alternative minimum tax bill. Planning can avoid this problem unless it makes sense for the client’s overall financial situation.
Tax Loss Harvesting
Selling investments that have lost value offsets the gains from other parts of the client’s portfolio. If the investment’s value will not recover, taking the loss and using it to reduce taxable gains needs to happen before the client passes the asset down, as heirs will not be able to claim the loss.
The Integrated Difference
Combining tax and investment planning allows our team to maximize opportunities in both areas. Unlike a standalone CPA who only sees you once a year, our tax team works alongside your investment advisors year-round to ensure your portfolio is tax-efficient. Tax preparation is based only on what has already happened in the past year, while tax planning and strategy take a more proactive approach. Contact us today to learn more about our tax planning services.
How can we help?
Year-Round Tax Planning
Providing proactive multi-year planning to minimize your tax burden
Tax Return Preparation/Review
Preparing and reviewing federal, state and local tax returns and determining quarterly payment requirements
Liaison with Tax Authorities
Responding to notices and other tax authority requests. Representing clients in tax matters
FAQs
Do you handle multi-state tax returns?
Yes, we offer multi-state filing services for our clients with income and investments in multiple states. Our expatriate tax states also support clients with complex international and cross-border tax situations.
Can you help with IRS audit representation?
Our tax team can handle any IRS communications on our clients’ behalf, from responding to notices to representation during an audit.
How does tax planning integrate with my investment portfolio?
Integrated tax and investment planning considers both the tax implications and the growth potential of different investment options to make the best plan for your overall situation.
Do you prepare trust and estate tax returns?
We do handle trust and estate tax preparation along with planning for intergenerational wealth transfers.
Fairman Financial is a fee-only financial planning firm located in Chesterbrook, PA, offering wealth management, investment advisory, tax, and personal accounting services to individuals and families. Investment advisory services are provided by The Fairman Group LLC, an independent investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Would you like to learn more?
Get the most out of your finances—and your life—with wealth management that sees the full picture.
