The Tax Strategy Podcast with Fexingo: Tax Planning, Deductions, and Saving Money on Taxes

How The Qualified Business Income Deduction Works 19.09.2026 15min

The Qualified Business Income deduction under section one seven nine allows pass-through entities to deduct up to twenty percent of their business income from taxes. This episode breaks down the specific limitations for high earners, the complex calculations involved in wages and property thresholds, and how service-based professions like law or consulting face different rules than manufacturers. We look at why this deduction is often misunderstood and how small business owners can structure their compensation to maximize this benefit while staying compliant with IRS regulations. #TaxPlanning #SmallBusiness #QBI #PassThroughEntities #IRSRegulations #Deductions #FinanceTips #BusinessStrategy #WealthManagement #Entrepreneurship #TaxLaw #IncomeLimitations #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinancialLiteracy #TaxBrackets #CFOAdvice #StartupGrowth Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Tax Trap of Your Home Equity Line 18.09.2026 12min

We dissect the hidden tax consequences of home equity loans and HELOCs in today's high-rate environment. While interest was once fully deductible, post-2017 rules require proceeds to buy, build, or improve your primary residence. We explore the common mistake of using HELOC funds for debt consolidation or investments, the strict record-keeping required to prove improvement status, and how to structure refinancing without triggering immediate taxable events. This episode gives you a concrete checklist for auditing your own home equity strategy before filing. #HomeEquityLoan #HELOC #TaxDeductions #MortgageInterest #ItemizedDeductions #TaxPlanning2026 #PersonalFinance #IRSRules #RealEstateInvesting #DebtConsolidation #CapitalImprovements #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinancialLiteracy #WealthManagement #TaxStrategy #HomeOwnership #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How The SALT Cap Hurts High Earners In 2026 18.09.2026 10min

With the state and local tax deduction cap still limiting deductions at ten thousand dollars, high earners in no-tax states are gaining a structural advantage over those in high-tax jurisdictions. Lucas and Luna break down how this static limit interacts with rising property values and income volatility in September twenty twenty six. We look at why wealthy residents of Florida or Texas might pay less in total taxes than middle-income families in New Jersey or California, and what strategic moves professionals can make to mitigate that disparity. #TaxPlanning #StateAndLocalTaxes #SALTCap #HighIncomeEarner #TaxStrategy #PropertyTax #FederalDeductions #WealthManagement #FinancePodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EconomicPolicy #TaxReform #RealEstateInvesting #NoTaxStates #TaxBracket #FinancialLiteracy #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How The New 1099-NEC Rules Change Your Freelance Taxes 17.09.2026 10min

The IRS is tightening the rules around independent contractors with new reporting requirements for payments processed via third-party settlement organizations. Lucas and Luna break down how these changes impact freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners in late September 2026. We explore the specific thresholds, the difference between a W-2 and a 1099-NEC form, and why your bookkeeping software might need an immediate update to stay compliant. #FreelanceTaxes #IndependentContractors #TaxPlanning #IRSRegulations #SmallBusinessFinance #GigEconomy #BookkeepingTips #TaxDeductions #SelfEmployment #1099Forms #FinancialCompliance #PassiveIncome #TaxStrategy #MoneyManagement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #September2026 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Hidden Tax Trap of Your Home Equity Line 15.09.2026 13min

Most homeowners treat home equity lines as free money, but the tax code tells a different story. In this episode, we unpack the post-2017 TCJA rules on mortgage interest deductions, focusing specifically on the $750,000 debt limit and the critical distinction between acquisition debt and home equity loans used for consumption. Lucas walks through the mechanics of what counts as 'qualified residence interest' versus non-deductible personal debt, while Luna explores how refinancing can accidentally disqualify your interest from being deductible if the proceeds aren't used to buy, build, or substantially improve the property. We look at real-world scenarios where a HELOC might seem like a smart liquidity tool but actually increases your effective tax burden by losing that deduction. This is a practical guide for anyone with significant mortgage debt who wants to ensure their borrowing strategy aligns with current IRS regulations. #HomeEquityLine #MortgageInterestDeduction #TaxPlanning2026 #TCJARules #QualifiedResidenceInterest #AcquisitionDebt #HELOCStrategy #IRSGuidance #RealEstateFinance #PersonalTaxTips #WealthManagement #DebtManagement #RefinancingMistakes #TaxBracketOptimization #ItemizedDeductions #StandardDeductionTrap #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How The QBI Sunset Changes Your Business Tax Strategy 14.09.2026 11min

The 2017 tax law’s most valuable small-business provision, the Qualified Business Income deduction, is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025. With less than a year remaining, the rules for pass-through entities are shifting dramatically. Lucas and Luna break down how sole proprietors, partners, and S-corp owners can adjust their compensation structures, retirement contributions, and entity elections before the clock runs out. This episode focuses on the concrete mechanics of maximizing deductions under current law while preparing for a post-2026 landscape where only C-corps retain a flat twenty-one percent rate without this specific offset. #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TaxPlanning #QBI #SmallBusiness #PassThroughEntities #SoleProprietor #SCorp #Partnership #TaxLaw #IRS #Deductions #RetirementPlans #EntityStructure #Finance #WealthManagement #TaxStrategy #Economics Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How to Use Qualified Business Income for Tax Savings 13.09.2026 11min

We break down the Qualified Business Income deduction, specifically Section 199A, which allows many pass-through business owners to deduct up to twenty percent of their income from federal taxes. Lucas and Luna walk through the specific eligibility rules, the difference between service businesses and trades, and how income thresholds change your strategy in 2026. We use a concrete example of a mid-sized consulting firm to show exactly how the math works when you hit the phase-in zone. This is not just about lowering your bill; it is about understanding the structural advantage built into the tax code for small business owners who are not corporations. #QualifiedBusinessIncome #Section199ADeduction #PassThroughTaxation #SmallBusinessFinance #TaxStrategy2026 #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TaxPlanning #SoleProprietorship #PartnershipTaxes #SCorpBenefits #NetIncomeCalculation #WageLimitRule #PropertyLimitRule #ServiceTradeOccupation #TaxBracketOptimization #FexingoFinance Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How IRS Section 409A Hurts Startup Executives 12.09.2026 12min

Lucas and Luna unpack the hidden tax trap of Section 409A for startup employees holding non-qualified stock options. They explore how deferring compensation triggers a six percent penalty plus interest if not structured correctly, using a specific case study of a tech executive who lost thousands due to a timing mismatch between exercise and liquidity events. The conversation details the difference between ISOs and NSOs, why valuation matters more than you think, and practical steps to avoid this common wealth erosion mistake in today's volatile market. #StartupEquity #Section409A #TaxPenalties #StockOptions #NonQualifiedOptions #ISOVsNSO #WealthManagement #EmployeeCompensation #StartupFinance #TaxPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinancialLiteracy #VentureCapital #ExecutivePay #TaxCode #RiskManagement #StartupAdvice Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How to Legally Offset Capital Gains With Tax-Loss Harvesting 11.09.2026 12min

Most investors ignore the tax drag on their portfolios until it is too late. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down tax-loss harvesting as a strategic tool rather than a last-ditch fix. They explore how selling underperforming assets can offset capital gains, reduce ordinary income by up to three thousand dollars, and carry forward losses indefinitely. The hosts examine specific sector examples from recent market volatility, explain the wash-sale rule pitfalls that trip up even seasoned traders, and provide a concrete framework for integrating this into your annual financial review. If you have held losing positions through multiple years, this strategy might be the most efficient way to improve your after-tax returns without changing your investment thesis. #TaxLossHarvesting #CapitalGains #WashSaleRule #InvestmentStrategy #TaxPlanning #PortfolioManagement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #FinancialLiteracy #AfterTaxReturns #MarketVolatility #TaxDeductions #LongTermInvesting #SecuritiesLaw #IRSGuidelines #WealthBuilding #SmartMoney Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How To Legally Shift Your Tax Bracket With Pension Contributions 10.09.2026 10min

We break down the mechanics of pension contribution limits and how strategic deferrals can effectively drop your taxable income by thousands. Using a concrete example from mid-2026, we show exactly where the marginal tax rate cliff sits and why timing matters more than amount. Lucas walks through the math while Luna challenges the liquidity trade-offs, giving you a clear framework for deciding if this strategy fits your cash flow needs today. #PensionContributions #TaxBracketStrategy #IncomeDeferral #MarginalTaxRate #RetirementPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinanceTips #TaxPlanning #CashFlowManagement #LiquidityRisk #RetirementAccounts #WealthBuilding #FinancialLiteracy #SmartMoneyMoves #TaxEfficiency #LucasAndLuna #FexingoNetwork Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How Qualified Charitable Distributions Lower Your Tax Bill 09.09.2026 10min

We explore how Qualified Charitable Distributions let retirees over fifty-nine-and-a-half transfer IRA funds directly to charity, bypassing taxable income while satisfying Required Minimum Distribution rules. This strategy avoids the Net Investment Income Tax and state tax impacts that standard withdrawals trigger. We break down the $105,000 annual limit for twenty-twenty-six, the specific IRS forms needed, and why this often beats itemizing deductions when your standard deduction is high. #QualifiedCharitableDistributions #IRAPlanning #TaxStrategy #RetirementIncome #RequiredMinimumDistributions #CharitableGiving #NetInvestmentIncomeTax #IRSForms #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinanceTips #WealthManagement #TaxEfficiency #NonProfit #EstatePlanning #RMDRules #TaxBrackets #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How the Step-Up in Basis Saves Your Heirs Millions 08.09.2026 9min

We break down the step-up in basis rule and why it matters more than ever for families holding appreciated assets. Using a specific case of a family who inherited a rental property with significant unrealized gains, we show how the tax code resets the cost basis to fair market value at death. This simple mechanism can erase hundreds of thousands in capital gains taxes that would otherwise be due upon sale. We also look at the limitations, including when the rule doesn't apply, like with retirement accounts. If you are thinking about estate planning or wondering what happens to your investment portfolio after you are gone, this episode gives you the concrete numbers and logic you need to understand the true cost of holding onto assets. #StepUpInBasis #EstatePlanning #CapitalGainsTax #InheritedAssets #RealEstateInvesting #WealthTransfer #TaxStrategy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PersonalFinance #InvestmentAdvice #TaxSavings #HeirsAndBeneficiaries #CostBasis #UnrealizedGains #FinancialLiteracy #SmartMoney #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How the Net Investment Income Tax Changes Your Strategy 07.09.2026 10min

We drill into the Net Investment Income Tax, a thirty-eight percent hit that catches many middle-class investors off guard. Lucas breaks down how unearned income triggers this surtax and why your portfolio’s structure matters more than ever in September two thousand twenty-six. Luna explores the specific thresholds where ordinary earners suddenly face investment taxes, examining real-world scenarios involving rental properties and dividend stocks. We look at practical hedging strategies, including tax-exempt bonds and loss harvesting, to keep your effective rate lower. This is not just for the ultra-wealthy; it affects anyone with significant passive income streams. Listen to understand how this hidden levy works and what you can do about it before the next filing season. #NetInvestmentIncomeTax #PassiveIncome #TaxStrategy #DividendTaxation #CapitalGains #RentalProperty #TaxExemptBonds #MunicipalBonds #TaxLossHarvesting #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PersonalFinance #WealthManagement #InvestmentIncome #TaxPlanning #FinancialLiteracy #EconomicPolicy #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Real Cost of Keeping Your Money Safe 06.09.2026 6min

We examine how inflation silently erodes purchasing power when cash sits idle. Using September 2026 data, we calculate the hidden tax on safety and show why a diversified approach protects wealth better than a savings account. #Inflation #PurchasingPower #CashManagement #PersonalFinance #InvestingStrategy #EconomicTrends #FinancialPlanning #WealthPreservation #RiskManagement #Liquidity #InterestRates #ConsumerSpending #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #TaxStrategy #MoneyMindset #FinancialLiteracy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How to Legally Avoid the Net Investment Income Tax 05.09.2026 14min

The Net Investment Income Tax is a twenty point eight percent surcharge that catches many middle- and upper-middle-class investors off guard. Lucas and Luna break down exactly how the tax applies to dividends, capital gains, and rental income, and walk through the specific dollar thresholds for single filers and married couples filing jointly in 2026. They explore practical strategies like municipal bond allocation and retirement account placement to legally reduce your net investment income below the trigger points. If you have more than two hundred thousand dollars in investable assets or earn over one hundred thirty thousand as a single filer, this episode explains why your standard brokerage strategy might be costing you extra at tax time. #NetInvestmentIncomeTax #NIIT #TaxPlanning #InvestmentIncome #CapitalGains #Dividends #TaxBrackets #WealthManagement #PassiveIncome #MunicipalBonds #RothIRA #TaxEfficiency #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinanceTips #EstatePlanning #TaxStrategy #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Hidden Cost of Your Emergency Fund 04.09.2026 9min

Most people park their emergency funds in high-yield savings accounts, but with the ten-year Treasury yielding around four percent and inflation hovering near two percent, real returns are razor-thin. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the specific mechanics of the liquidity premium trap and why keeping six months of expenses in a bank account might be costing you thousands in purchasing power over time. They explore three alternative parking spots for liquid cash that offer better risk-adjusted returns without sacrificing access to your money when life happens. #EmergencyFund #LiquidityPremium #CashManagement #HighYieldSavings #TreasuryBills #MoneyMarketFunds #InflationHedge #PersonalFinance #WealthBuilding #FinancialPlanning #OpportunityCost #RiskAdjustedReturns #CashParking #InterestRates #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinanceTips #SmartSaving Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Real Cost of Keeping Your Money Safe 03.09.2026 10min

Inflation is the silent tax on cash, but how much does it actually cost to keep your money safe in a standard savings account? Lucas and Luna break down the math behind real returns versus nominal rates, using the current September 2026 interest rate environment. They explore why parking funds in high-yield accounts might still lose purchasing power, when to shift toward Treasury bills, and the specific breakeven point where safety stops being a strategy and starts becoming a liability. This episode gives you one concrete number: the inflation-adjusted return threshold you need to hit just to stay even. #Finance #PersonalFinance #InflationHedge #HighYieldSavings #TreasuryBills #RealReturns #PurchasingPower #CashManagement #InterestRates #WealthPreservation #SafeInvesting #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EconomicStrategy #FinancialPlanning #LucasAndLuna #TaxStrategy #MoneyMindset Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Real Cost of Keeping Your Money Safe 02.09.2026 11min

Inflation is the silent tax on savings, and in 2026 it is eating away at traditional safety nets like high-yield savings accounts and short-term Treasuries. Lucas and Luna break down the math behind real returns versus nominal yields, exploring why your cash might be losing purchasing power even when the bank statement looks green. They examine specific strategies for protecting wealth from erosion, including the nuances of taxable bond funds versus municipal bonds, and how to structure a portfolio that actually preserves value against today's persistent price pressures. #InflationHedge #RealReturns #WealthPreservation #PurchasingPower #TaxStrategy #BondYields #MunicipalBonds #HighYieldSavings #TreasuryBills #CostOfLiving #InvestmentRisk #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinanceTips #PersonalFinance #EconomicStrategy #MoneyManagement #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How Section 179 Deductions Transform Small Business Equipment 01.09.2026 12min

Lucas and Luna break down Section One Seventy Nine, the tax provision that lets small businesses deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment in the year it is placed in service. They explore how this strategy differs from standard depreciation, why timing matters before the end of the calendar year, and which assets qualify for immediate expensing. With specific examples ranging from heavy machinery to software licenses, they provide a practical guide for business owners looking to manage cash flow and reduce their 2026 taxable income without waiting decades to recover costs. #Section179 #TaxDeductions #SmallBusiness #CapitalExpenses #CashFlowManagement #TaxPlanning2026 #EquipmentPurchase #ImmediateExpense #DepreciationVsExpense #BusinessStrategy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #FinanceTips #TaxSaving #AssetAcquisition #YearEndStrategy #EntrepreneurLife Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The 2026 Roth Conversion Ladder and How to Use It 31.08.2026 12min

In this episode of The Tax Strategy Podcast, Lucas and Luna unpack the Roth conversion ladder — the strategy that lets you move pre-tax retirement money into a Roth IRA without blowing up your tax bracket. They walk through the five-year aging rule, the pro-rata rule, and how to sequence conversions across multiple years to keep your marginal rate steady. Using a concrete example of a 45-year-old planner with a $1.2 million traditional IRA, they show how converting $50,000 a year for five years can fund a tax-free early retirement. They also flag the 2026 tax bracket thresholds and why it matters that these are set to expire after 2025. No repeats of prior episodes — this is the ladder mechanics, not the nanny tax or home office deduction. If you've ever wondered how the rich retire before 59 and a half without penalties, this episode answers it. #RothConversionLadder #RothIRA #TaxStrategy #RetirementPlanning #EarlyRetirement #ProRataRule #FiveYearRule #TraditionalIRA #TaxBrackets #TaxFreeWithdrawal #Finance #TaxPlanning #Retirement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TaxTips #WealthManagement #2026Taxes Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo