Tag: Tax Planning
Tax Planning Beyond the Numbers with Greg Carlson (Ep. 12)

Tax Planning Beyond the Numbers with Greg Carlson (Ep. 12)

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Taxes often get the spotlight in financial decisions, but they’re rarely the only factor that matters.

How do you balance tax efficiency with family goals, business transitions, lifestyle preferences, and long-term planning without letting one consideration dominate every decision?

In this episode, James Knapp sits down with Greg Carlson, Tax Partner with Boyum Barenscheer, for a conversation about business succession, entity structure, tax planning, and family decision-making. Greg shares how he found his way into accounting, why creativity plays a role in tax strategy, and how thoughtful planning can improve outcomes for both buyers and sellers.

They also explore estate planning considerations, charitable giving opportunities, business transitions, and why personal priorities often matter more than reducing taxes.

Key takeaways:

  • How business entity selection can influence taxes during operations and eventual ownership transitions
  • Why buyer and seller goals should guide transaction planning before tax strategies are considered
  • A real example where minor structural changes created substantial federal income tax savings
  • How charitable giving strategies may create favorable outcomes when coordinated with tax planning
  • Why family, community, healthcare, and lifestyle often outweigh tax considerations in retirement
  • And more!

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Connect with Greg Carlson:

About Our Guest:

As a CPA focused on estate and trust planning for high-net-worth individuals and families, Greg Carlson helps clients preserve wealth, reduce complexity, and plan for the efficient transition of assets across generations. His work extends beyond compliance, providing strategic guidance on the financial, tax, and structural decisions that contribute to a lasting legacy.

At Boyum Barenscheer, Greg collaborates closely with estate attorneys, investment advisors, and family offices to develop coordinated, tax-efficient strategies tailored to each client’s goals and values. His experience includes sophisticated trust planning, business succession strategies, charitable giving planning, and estate tax mitigation.

Clients value Greg’s ability to bring clarity, precision, and discretion to complex planning matters. He recognizes that estate and trust planning is about more than financial outcomes. It is about families, values, and responsible stewardship across generations. His goal is to help clients move forward with confidence, knowing their plans are both financially sound and aligned with the legacy they hope to leave behind.

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Building a Client-First Practice in the RIA Space with Haris Kopic (Ep. 7)

Building a Client-First Practice in the RIA Space with Haris Kopic (Ep. 7)

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Choosing the right business model can shape your entire career as a financial advisor. But what drives someone to leave commissions behind and embrace independence?

In this episode, James Knapp sits down with Haris Kopic, CFP®, who recently joined Boyum Wealth Architects after 16 years in the industry. Haris shares his journey from graduating during the 2008 financial crisis to finding his footing in the RIA space, driven by a desire for client-centric service and fiduciary responsibility. Together, they explore memorable client experiences, the importance of curiosity in financial planning, and how going above and beyond creates lasting trust.

Haris discusses:

  • His transition from commission-based sales to the independent RIA model and why fiduciary duty matters
  • A creative airport solution that saved a client $10,000 annually on life insurance premiums
  • Common mistakes advisors miss, from outdated policies to overlooked tax strategies
  • How curiosity and problem-solving define the best client relationships
  • Advice for new advisors and those looking to specialize and find their niche
  • And more!

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Connect with Haris Kopic:

About Our Guest:

Haris Kopic, CFP®, is a Wealth Architect at Boyum Wealth Architects with 16 years of experience in the industry. After graduating from Iowa State University in 2008, Haris navigated the challenges of the financial crisis before finding his way to the RIA space in 2011. His approach to financial planning is rooted in curiosity, teamwork, problem-solving, and a commitment to fiduciary responsibility. Haris specializes in helping clients navigate complex financial decisions by understanding their motivations, values, and long-term goals, while delivering the kind of white glove service that builds lasting trust.

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Dead Wrong Tax Decisions Business Owners Keep Making with Chris Wittich (CPA Perspective) (Ep. 6)

Dead Wrong Tax Decisions Business Owners Keep Making with Chris Wittich (CPA Perspective) (Ep. 6)

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What if better tax planning started long before April, or even before you decide to sell your business? This episode pulls back the curtain on how small business owners and advisors can think differently about taxes, compensation, and long-term planning.

In this episode of Zombie Advisor, James Knapp sits down with Chris Wittich, MBT, CPA, and partner at Boyum, to talk through real-world tax planning strategies for business owners at every stage. Chris shares how his career in tax started at age 15, preparing returns by hand, and how that early experience shaped his practical, people-first approach today. Together, they identify common gaps James and Chris see when reviewing new business tax returns, especially in owner compensation and retirement planning. The conversation also explores how tax strategy changes when a business owner is preparing for an eventual sale, whether to private equity, family, or internal successors. The episode wraps with an important look at estate organization, Minnesota estate tax considerations, and why clarity and preparation matter just as much as tax savings.

What to expect:

  • Why the owner pay strategy is often the first sign of missed tax planning
  • How compensation decisions impact retirement plans, FICA taxes, and flexibility
  • What business owners should consider years before selling their company
  • Estate planning realities, organization tips, and common pitfalls families face
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with us!

Connect with Chris Wittich:

About Our Guest:

Chris Wittich is a partner at Boyum Wealth Architects and holds both an MBT and a CPA designation. With nearly 20 years of experience working with individuals and small business owners, Chris specializes in tax planning, business strategy, estate tax matters, and advisory support for the beauty and salon industry. His approach focuses on helping clients make informed decisions through clarity, organization, and long-term thinking.

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