Avoiding Probate  Avoiding probate should be a key element of any estate plan. Without good planning, your estate will be subject to probate in your home state and any other state where you own real estate or other substantial property. (March 2008)

The Gift Tax The gift tax is the most misunderstood of all taxes. Most people will never pay it, but it could cost their heirs extra estate tax. Understanding its impact, knowing how to avoid it, and when you must file a gift tax return are important. (January 2008)

2007 Year-end Tax Planning As the end of 2007 quickly approaches, so does your opportunity to take steps to minimize your personal tax liability. This month's article focuses on some of the frequently used techniques used by our clients, as well as an outlook on the Alternative Minimum Tax and anticipated changes in 2008. (November 2007)

The Team Approach to Financial Planning Vantage uses the team approach to serve all aspects of our clients' financial needs. Find out why we use this method and how it provides you the AdVantage towards achieving your life goals. (June 2007)

The Estate Planning Benefits of 529 Plans Most people are aware that state sponsored college savings plans (529 Plans) offer a tax advantaged way to save for college. But did you know that these plans offer a valuable estate tax benefit as well? (April 2007)

Charitable Contributions from Your IRA  The Pension Protection Act of 2006 established a new provision allowing IRA holders over 70½ to make charitable donations directly from their Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). RMD beneficiaries who are charitably minded may find it beneficial to implement this time-limited provision before it expires at the end of this year. (February 2007)

Charitable Deductions Rules have changed for donations of cash, household goods, and appreciated property. Here's what you need to know to keep that tax deduction in 2007. (January 2007)

Here's to Your Health Like most Americans, getting fit or exercising is most likely on your New Year's Resolution list- again! Remember that a healthy net worth is nothing without a healthy mind and body to go along with it. (December 2006)

Your Medicare Part D Choices It's open enrollment for Medicare's Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). If you had Part D coverage in 2006, this will be your opportunity to compare and shop for other providers. If this is your first time, you will have plenty of options to review. (November 2006)

How will the New Tax Laws Affect You?  Congress passed two major tax bills this year which may affect your 2006 tax return. As a service to our clients and friends, we would like to alert you to some of the new provisions that may affect individual taxpayers in 2006 and beyond. (October 2006)

Social Security: When do I Begin Taking My Benefits?  "When should I start taking Social Security?" "How will my choices affect my benefits?" Almost everyone finds themselves asking questions like these as they contemplate retirement. There are no simple answers. Each situation is different. This article will give you some basic rules of thumb to use when making that determination. (September 2006)

7 For the Retirement Road  Thinking about taking the retirement journey anytime soon? Make sure you have some key items to take along with you. Whether it's cash flow projections, establishing an Estate Plan or an Advisory Team, these 7 prerequisites will prepare and guide you through a smoother ride down the retirement path. (August 2006)

Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself  An estimated 9 to 10 million Americans are affected by identity theft each year. Whether or not you've been a victim, here are some helpful guidelines that you can use to protect your identity. (July 2006)

What do the New Tax Bill Changes Mean to You? On May 17th President Bush signed the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (TIPRA) into law with new tax changes. For individual tax payers, these changes primarily extend benefits that were scheduled to lapse this year. Here is a summary of the new rules and how they may affect our executive clients. (May 2006)

Roth 401(k) Versus Traditional 401(k):  Many of the benefits of a Roth IRA are now available to high income earners through the introduction of a Roth 401(k) provision. While married executives earning over $160,000 are not eligible to open a Roth IRA, there is no such income limitation on a Roth 401(k). Executives are now faced with a new decision: should you switch some or all of your 401(k) contributions to the new Roth 401(k) or would it be better to keep contributing to the traditional 401(k)? (May 2006)

2006 Tax Law Changes:  As a service to our clients and friends, we would like to alert you to some of the changes that may affect individual and small business taxpayers for 2006. (January 2006)

When do I Exercise My Stock Options?  One of the hardest decisions for an executive to make is when to exercise employee stock options.  Vantage has developed a framework for making that decision based on objective data. (June 2005)

5 Retirement Questions a Busy Executive Will Not Face:  Here are 5 tough retirement questions that a busy executive and spouse should face together as early as possible. (April 2005)

How to Build a Strong Portfolio in Your 401(k) Plan:  Picking the right asset categories is the key factor in building a strong 401(k) portfolio.  It has been shown that 94% of the variability in a portfolio's return is explained by the asset allocation mix and not by security selection or market timing.  (March 2005)

At Retirement: To Roll or Not to Roll?  At retirement, corporate executives are faced with leaving their 401(k) with their former employer or rolling it over into one or more IRA's.  Before deciding, three questions should be asked. (March 2005)

Special Benefit for Company Stock in Your 401(k).  A special tax benefit is available for employer stock when it comes time to roll it over from your 401(k) to an IRA.  Most executives are not aware of this benefit or in what situations it may be advantageous.  This article explains the benefit and why you might want to use it.  (March 2005)

How Should I Save for My Child's Education Costs?  This article summarizes the various tax advantaged methods of saving for education by the high income executive.  (April 2005)

Tax Efficient Borrowing for the High Income Taxpayer.  Up to 80% of your tax deductible interest can be disallowed by the itemized deduction phase-out facing high income taxpayers.  There is a way to fully deduct interest without having the phase-out.  This article explores the margin interest exception.  (March 2005)

10 Most Common Financial Mistakes of the Corporate Executive.  Over our 15 years of serving clients we have put together a list of the most common mistakes made by executives.  (Dec 2004)

Section 83(b) Election for Restricted Stock and Stock Options.  Using this relatively unknown tax election could save the executive a large tax liability.  However it should only be used in certain circumstances. (Nov 2004)

2004 Tax Changes for the Individual by the Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  Summary of the tax changes that could affect the corporate executive's individual tax liability.  (Oct 2004)

Building Your Options and Restricted Stock Strategy.  A description of Vantage Financial's methodology in creating an option strategy to realize your financial goals.  We explain our 4 cornerstone strategies.  (June 2001 updated Jan 2005)

Incentive Stock Options.  A primer on the basics of ISO's. (June 2001 updated Jan 2005) 

Tax Treatment of Incentive Stock Options.  A summary of the tax treatment of ISO's including a discussion of their impact on the Alternative Minimum Tax.  (April 2002 updated Nov 2004)

Incentive Stock Option Dispositions.  ISO's have favorable tax treatment if made under a qualifying disposition, but with bad results if inadvertently disposed of in a non-qualifying way.  Here are the rules to assure favorable tax treatment.  (April 2002)

Nonqualified Stock Options.  A primer on the basics of NQSO's.  (June 2001 updated Jan 2005)

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