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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/blog Schedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsulta Full Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact Us Phone: 855-226-8551 Email: [email protected] Office: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110 Web: brayshawfinancial.com What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

If you missed just the 10 best days in the market over the last 25 years, you would have cut your returns nearly in half. Miss the best 30 days, and you might as well have left the money in a money market. Miss the best 50 days, and you are actually losing money. That is the cost of a market myth. In this week's Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon break down the most common — and most expensive — market myths that quietly erode investor wealth: "Sell in May and go away," "now is the wrong time to invest," "cash is safer than stocks," "investing is just legalized gambling," "more holdings means better diversification," "gold is a safe haven," "bonds are risk free," and more. With hard numbers, clear analogies, and three decades of planning experience between them, Ben and Dan sort fact from folklore — and lay out a disciplined, statistics-backed approach to growing and protecting your money. You will learn: Why missing the market's best 10 days can cut your long-term returns in halfWhy lump-sum investing beats dollar-cost averaging 67-75% of the timeHow a $100,000 in cash since 1992 compares to the same $100,000 in the S&P 500Why 2,900 holdings may actually be less diversified than 500The truth about gold, bonds, and "safe" investmentsHow a $50-per-month investor can still build real wealthPlus "Money In The News": NAHB home builder sentiment drops to a 7-month low amid material, labor, and oil pressuresTrump Accounts sign up 5 million kids — with community sponsorship changing the gameMarch CPI surges 0.9% as the Iran conflict reshapes the inflation outlookResources & Links Website: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/Money On Tap podcast hub: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapFull Money On Tap episode library: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tap-podcast-contentRead the companion blog: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/blogOur planning process: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/our-processSchedule a free consultation: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/contact Related Episodes: Retirement distribution strategy: how to keep more of your income → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapThe difference between accumulation and distribution → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapTax-smart investing and why most investors overpay → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapHow to vet a financial advisor (the questions that matter) → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tap Contact Us Phone: 855-226-8551Email: [email protected]: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.com What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

Are today’s tax rates the lowest you’ll ever see in your lifetime? In this episode of Money on Tap, we introduce the concept of “Generation Roth”—a powerful shift in retirement planning focused on building tax-free income in a world where taxes are likely to rise. For decades, traditional retirement planning has relied on tax-deferred strategies like 401(k)s and IRAs. But with growing national debt, changing tax policy, and increasing retirement complexity, that approach may no longer be enough. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why today’s tax environment may be historically low   • How rising national debt could impact future tax rates   • The truth about being in a “lower tax bracket” in retirement   • What a Roth IRA is and why it matters now more than ever   • How Roth strategies create tax-free income   • Options for high-income earners who can’t contribute directly to a Roth   • The role of Roth conversions and advanced planning strategies   • The concept of “tax diversification” in retirement planning   • How to think about retirement as an income system—not just a savings goal   This episode is designed for anyone who wants to take greater control over their financial future and build a more tax-efficient retirement strategy. Because retirement isn’t just about how much you have—it’s about how much you keep. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to position yourself for a more secure and flexible retirement. --- 📅 Schedule a Retirement Strategy Session: https://app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsulta   📞 Call: 855-226-8551   📧 Email: [email protected]   --- Money on Tap is your personal finance headquarters, bringing together insurance, brokerage, and fee-based planning to help you make smarter financial decisions. Subscribe for weekly insights on retirement planning, investing, and financial independence. What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

Are you unknowingly losing thousands of dollars in retirement taxes? In this episode of Money on Tap, we break down the science of retirement income and how to create “income alpha”—keeping more of what you’ve already earned. Many retirees focus on growing their portfolio, but the real opportunity lies in tax efficiency, withdrawal strategy, and income planning. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How retirement income is taxed (and why most people overpay) • The hidden impact of RMDs and Social Security taxation • What “income alpha” means and how to create it • Roth IRA strategies and tax-free income planning • The truth about the widow’s tax trap and how to prepare • How charitable strategies can reduce your tax burden • Why tax planning can increase retirement income by 20–30% Retirement is not about how much you have—it’s about how efficiently you use it. 📞 Schedule a Retirement Strategy Session: https://app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsulta 📧 Contact us: [email protected]   📞 Call: 855-226-8551   Subscribe for more insights on retirement planning, investing, and financial independence. What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

What is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.