Advisory Services

At Apprise, we believe taxes and investing are joined at the hip. You should always consider taxes when investing. That doesn’t mean you have to let the tax tail wag the dog, but it does mean you shouldn’t overlook taxes. Good tax planning can reduce your tax bill. That leaves you more money to spend today or save for tomorrow. We maintain a focus on long-term gains and tax sensitivity.

We will apply principles of Asset Location – which assets belong in which account types from a tax perspective – to your portfolio. We also help you decide when to complete Roth conversions. We can help you allocate your workplace retirement savings between a 401k and a Roth 401k, when applicable. If you have a high-deductible healthcare plan, we will help you decide if a Health Savings Account is appropriate and how to use it most effectively.

While working, we focus on saving. When we retire, things change. Now we must determine the most efficient way to withdraw money from our retirement accounts. Not sure of the best withdrawal strategy? We will help you understand your options and what approach makes the most sense for your situation.

As part of our process, we will also review your tax return to look for tax planning ideas.

Why Choose Us

Pathway to Informed Success

At Apprise Wealth Management, we take pride in being a trusted financial partner, especially for female-led households. Our mission is to enhance our clients’ financial lives as well as their understanding of financial concepts. We strive to deliver you with the holistic, customized guidance you deserve based on a foundation of trust and transparency. We strive to align people’s capital with what’s truly important.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does tax-aware investing mean?

Tax-aware investing means considering the tax consequences of investment decisions without allowing taxes to drive every decision. We consider factors such as which accounts hold which investments, when to realize gains or losses, and how investment decisions may affect your overall tax picture. The goal is to make thoughtful investment decisions while avoiding unnecessary taxes when possible.

What is asset location, and why does it matter?

Asset location refers to deciding which investments to hold in taxable, tax-deferred, or tax-free accounts. Because different investments and account types receive different tax treatment, where you hold an investment can affect your after-tax return. We consider asset location as part of your overall portfolio strategy.

How do I know whether a Roth conversion makes sense?

A Roth conversion can make sense when paying taxes today may improve your long-term tax picture. We consider your current and expected future tax rates, retirement income, required minimum distributions, Social Security benefits, Medicare premiums, and other relevant factors. Roth conversions are not an all-or-nothing decision. In some cases, partial conversions over several years may be appropriate.

Should I contribute to a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k)?

The answer depends on your circumstances. Traditional 401(k) contributions can reduce taxable income today, while Roth 401(k) contributions may provide tax-free qualified withdrawals later. We help you evaluate your current tax situation, expected future tax rates, retirement plans, and other savings to determine how to allocate your contributions.

How can you help me create a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy in retirement?

Retirement often requires coordinating withdrawals from taxable accounts, traditional retirement accounts, Roth accounts, and other sources. The order and timing of those withdrawals can affect your taxes for many years. We help you evaluate withdrawal strategies while considering factors such as Social Security, required minimum distributions, Roth conversions, and your spending needs.

Do you review my tax return?

Yes. Reviewing your tax return can help us identify planning opportunities and better understand how your financial decisions affect your taxes. We may look for opportunities involving retirement contributions, Roth conversions, investment gains and losses, charitable giving, withdrawal strategies, and other areas relevant to your financial plan.

Can you help me decide how to use a Health Savings Account?

Yes. If you are eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account, we can help you evaluate how an HSA fits into your broader financial plan. That can include deciding how much to contribute, whether to invest some of the balance, and whether it makes sense to pay current medical expenses from the account or preserve the HSA for future healthcare costs.

Does minimizing taxes always lead to the best financial decision?

No. Paying the least possible tax in a particular year is not necessarily the goal. Sometimes paying taxes today creates greater flexibility or lowers taxes in future years. We focus on your overall financial situation and long-term objectives rather than allowing the desire to reduce taxes to override other important considerations.

Why Choose Us

INTEGRATED APPROACH

Our approach to wealth management helps clients align their capital with what matters most to them.

It is through detailed financial conversations encompassing all aspects of our clients’ lives that we empower people to make informed decisions.

ACCOUNTABILITY

As fiduciaries, we give you guidance you can trust, and we care about your financial life. We provide advice that uses simple language to explain complex topics, helping to foster financial literacy. Our feeling is that the quality of our advice is based on the depth of the relationships we build with each client. We are committed to helping you meet your financial goals.

PEACE OF MIND

We do our best to avoid elevating stress levels. Therefore, you will never see a market barometer or breaking news on this site – that is simply more noise.

At Apprise, we understand that short-term tactics can be important but they must be executed based upon wise strategic decisions rather than best-guess predictions.