401k Critical Mistake #2: 401k After-Tax Contributions That Seemed Smart May Cost You Tens of Thousands
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Many executives stop contributing to their 401k when they hit the pre-tax contribution limit. You didn’t. You made after-tax contributions. Smart move. But the step you didn’t take may be quietly turning that move into a compounding tax liability you had no reason to expect. This article is […]
401k Critical Mistake #1: Are You Hyper-Funding Your 401k with Mega Backdoor Roth?
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Are you maxing out your 401k pre-tax contributions, firmly convinced you’ve captured every tax advantage your 401k has to offer? Your 401k may allow contributions far beyond that limit, and a little-known strategy could make every extra dollar grow tax-free. You might be one of the few executives […]
401k Critical Mistake #6: 401k Company Stock Declined Sharply? Hidden Tax Reset Strategy
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Are you an executive who’s watched your 401k company stock drop 30%, 40%, 50% or more? Or maybe it hasn’t dropped yet, but it could. A sharp decline can feel like a disaster. But here’s the counterintuitive truth: that decline may have just opened the door to a […]
401k Critical Mistake #5: Have Company Stock in Your 401k? One Withdrawal Starts a Costly Clock
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Do you have highly appreciated company stock inside your 401k? If so, are you thinking about taking a withdrawal to bridge the gap before pension or Social Security kicks in? Here’s the problem: one withdrawal could wipe out a tax opportunity worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The […]
401k Critical Mistake #4: Selling 401k Company Stock? STOP. Consider This Tax Move First
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Watch the video below to see what every executive with company stock in a 401k should consider before selling. https://youtu.be/_gMScMFU95s Selling company stock inside a 401k can feel like the responsible move. Reduce concentration risk. Lock in gains. Rebalance the portfolio. For many assets, that logic holds. But […]
401k Critical Mistake #3: The 401k Company Stock IRA Rollover Mistake You Can’t Undo
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Click below to watch the video to see exactly how this mistake plays out, and what to do instead. https://youtu.be/jhqEiRJYlC0 If you have company stock in your 401k and you’re planning a rollover to an IRA, stop. Not because a rollover is wrong. In many situations, it’s the […]
From Complexity to Clarity: Creating Shared Priorities Among Your Financial Professionals
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Complexity rarely arrives all at once. It accumulates slowly, often as a byproduct of success. New accounts are added. Equity plans evolve. Advisors are brought in for specific needs. Each decision is logical. Over time, the system becomes harder to navigate. Many executives reach a point where everything […]
The Critical Mistake Executives Make at the Start of a New Year
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® January has a way of creating urgency without ever asking permission. The calendar resets, expectations rise, and conversations shift quickly from reflection to execution. Many executives feel pressure to move early, decide quickly, and establish momentum before the year fully takes shape. That instinct is understandable. It’s also […]
10 Questions to Ask Your Financial Team
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® Why Now Is the Right Time to Pause and Prioritize The holidays are near, tax deadlines loom, and inboxes fill up with last-minute reminders. For high-income executives, it’s the perfect moment to step back and ask, “Is everything aligned across my financial life?” This isn’t about scrambling to […]
Turn Your Year-End Giving Into a Tax Strategy That Works for You
By David L. Dunn, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA® A Season for Generosity and Strategy December is the season when generosity meets urgency. Many high-income individuals start to think seriously about giving back, and for good reason. The end of the year brings not only holiday spirit but also a critical window for optimizing charitable contributions from […]