TaxPlanningfor High Earners Who Are Tired of AprilSurprises
Your biggest tax decisions happen during the year: when shares vest, when you exercise, when you sell and where you save. We help you see what’s coming and plan for it while there’s still time to act.
Most high earners do everything right. They earn well, save, and hire someone to file their return. And they still get surprised, because the things that drive their tax bill don’t show up until the year is over.
The Withholding Gap
Most employers withhold 22 percent on RSU vests and bonuses. If your actual bracket is 32, 35 or 37 percent, the difference turns into a bill in April, sometimes with a penalty attached.
Equity decisions made in the moment
When to exercise, whether to hold, and how much company stock is too much often get decided on vest day with no plan behind them. The tax consequences last for years.
The December 31 deadline
Most tax moves have to happen within the calendar year. By the time your return is being prepared, those doors are already closed.
A tax preparer’s job is to report what already happened, accurately and on time. That’s important work, but it can’t change a decision you made in March.
Tax planning is a different job. It looks at the year ahead: your vest schedule, your bonus, your options, a job change, a stock sale. Then it asks what you can do before each one happens. That’s the work we do.
10 Tax MovesHigh EarnersMiss
These are the areas where we most often find money left on the table. Each one is covered in depth in the free guide.
RSU Withholding Gap
Stock Option Exercises and AMT
ESPP Holding Rules
Backdoor and Mega Backdoor Roth
Deferred Compensation
HSA as a Retirement Account
Giving Appreciated Stock
Concentrated Stock Planning
Roth Conversions
Short-Term Rentals
Want the what, who and catch for each one? Get our FREE Guide below.
30 minutes by video with Jeff to find out whether tax planning is a fit for you, and what the next step would be.
Your Tax Assessment:
A deep dive into your returns and equity statements, a two-year look back for missed opportunities, a projection of this year’s bill, and a written tax plan delivered on a results call. The plan is yours to keep.
Your Plan in Motion:
Depending on your situation, that’s The No-Surprise Tax Year or a full Tax Flight Path, with your plan put to work and your returns filed from the same plan.
Executives and senior employeespaid in RSUs, stock options or ESPP shares
Physicians, attorneys and other high-income professionals
Householdswith two high incomes
Anyone with a big event ahead: a large vest, a job change, a stock sale or early retirement
Probably not a fit if:
You only need asimple return filedand have no big decisions ahead this year
Meet Jeff Kikel
Jeff Kikel, ChFC, CRPC, ATA, is the founder of Profit Pilot Tax and Financial Services. He has spent more than 30 years in financial planning and works with executives and professionals on equity compensation and year-round tax planning. He is the author of more than 20 books.
I’m a W-2 employee. Do I really need tax planning?
If your pay includes RSUs, options, large bonuses or deferred compensation, yes. Those decisions happen during the year, and withholding rarely keeps up with them. Planning makes sure you’re making them on purpose.
Do you prepare my tax return?
Yes. The No-Surprise Tax Year includes your return. Planning and preparation happen in one place, so nothing falls through the cracks.
What does it cost?
The No-Surprise Tax Year starts at $2,900 per year. Tax Flight Path is typically $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the complexity of your situation. We’ll talk through which one fits on your Fit Call.
Will you tell me whether to sell my company stock?
No. We cover the tax side of those decisions: what a sale, exercise or gift would cost you in taxes, and when. Nothing we provide is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. However, we can refer you to our sister company, Freedom Day Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor that can discuss your strategy and build a plan for you.
What happens on the Fit Call?
It’s a free 30-minute video call with Jeff to find out whether tax planning is a fit for you, and what the next step would be.
Is it too late to do anything for this year?
Not if you start before December 31. Many of the moves in the guide still work this year, but the window closes at year-end.
Start With theFreeGuide
Start with the free guide, or book a 30-minute Fit Call and get a straight answer.
10 Tax Moves High Earners Miss covers what each move is, who it fits and the catch, plus a 10-question self-check to see how many you’re already using.
Educational content based on federal tax law as of 2026. Not tax, legal or investment advice for your situation. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.
