Latest tax proposals: Real-time tax and financial planning conversations
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
In this special crossover episode between the AICPA’s Tax Section Odyssey and PFP Section podcasts, April Walker is joined by Bob Keebler and Mark Gallegos to break down the fast-moving tax legislation landscape. They walk through key provisions in both the House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the Senate’s proposal, sharing what matters most for client conversations right now. Topics include: Timing and reconciliation process in Congress Section 199A and SALT cap updates PTET deduction differences and planning impact Section 174 R&D expensing changes Bonus depreciation and...
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Turning Panic into Trust with Dr. Lurtz
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
When markets are volatile, your clients look to you for clarity—but before they can truly hear your technical advice, they may need something deeper: to feel emotionally steady and heard. In this episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, behavioral scientist and partner at Shaping Wealth, joins host Cary Sinnett to explore the power of a question-led approach for CPA financial planners. You’ll learn how leading with well-timed questions—not immediate answers—can reduce client panic, build trust, and actually enhance the effectiveness of your financial guidance. 💡 Key Takeaways for CPA Financial...
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Volatile Markets, Smart Estates: Keebler’s Top Tax Plays
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
When the markets swing, smart estate planning can make or break your client’s legacy. In this episode, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, joins Cary Sinnett to reveal the overlooked tax moves CPA financial planners need to know—from the strategic use of the Alternate Valuation Date (AVD) to avoiding costly missteps with the Kenan Doctrine. Learn how the 645 election can shift tax treatment in your favor, why timing and valuation matter more than ever, and how to deliver sharp planning with empathy during emotional times. If you advise estates in a volatile market, these insights could reshape your...
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Your Estate Plan
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
As CPA financial planners, we often encounter a painful reality: adult children who are surprised, or even hurt, by their parents’ estate plans—after it’s too late for discussion. In this episode, Cary Sinnett speaks with Kelley Long, a respected fee-only financial wellness coach and former bank trust officer, about how proactive communication can help families preserve relationships and honor intentions. Kelley offers practical, thoughtful strategies for advisors to help clients initiate and navigate these conversations. Topics include: The ideal timing for involving heirs in estate...
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Financial Gratitude: The Behavioral Advantage Every CPA Planner Should Leverage
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz joins Cary Sinnett to explore a deceptively simple concept with powerful implications: financial gratitude. Discover how shifting the conversation from scarcity to sufficiency helps clients make better long-term decisions, build trust, and find meaning in their financial journey—especially in volatile times. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s a behavior that shapes financial planning success How to introduce reflective questions that don't feel “woo-woo” in a CPA-led client meeting When not to...
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Business Exit Transitions for CPA Financial Planners
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
Host Cary Sinnett and business transition advisor Mike Benedict discuss how to prepare business owners for one of their largest lifetime transactions—exiting their business. The conversation covers key aspects of pre-transaction preparation, valuation methods, building a sell-ready business, and leveraging tax strategies to maximize outcomes. Key Insights Pre-Transaction Preparation: Use a thorough quality of earnings review—similar to staging a home—to highlight strengths and avoid surprises during due diligence. Integrated Planning: Blend exit strategies with overall financial and...
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When theft gets taxing with Bob Keebler
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
In this episode, Cary Sinnett is joined by renowned CPA and tax expert Bob Keebler to unpack the complexities of theft and casualty loss deductions under IRC Section 165. From pig butchering scams to IRA fraud and Ponzi schemes, this episode dives deep into the kinds of losses the IRS will—and won’t—let you deduct, what qualifies as a profit motive, and how financial planners can guide their clients through one of the most emotionally and financially painful tax situations. Five Key Insights for CPA Financial Planners: Profit Motive Determines Deductibility To qualify under Section...
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Estate Tax Repeal & Its Impact on Planning
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, host Cary Sinnett speaks with expert CPA estate planner Bob Keebler about the latest legislative efforts to repeal the estate tax. They discuss the implications for financial planners, strategies to consider, and how advisors can proactively help clients navigate potential changes. Key Takeaways: Estate Tax Repeal on the Horizon Bills have been introduced in Congress to repeal the estate tax while retaining the gift tax and repealing the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. The likelihood of repeal is uncertain, and any...
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Additional Social Security Payments for Some Clients
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
Cary Sinnett and Dan Snyder discuss the repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), major changes impacting public workers, spouses, and retirees. Learn who is affected, how to claim retroactive payments, and key financial planning strategies. Key Takeaways: Who’s Affected? Retired public workers, teachers, police, firefighters, and spouses previously impacted by GPO/WEP. What Changed? The Social Security Fairness Act (Jan 2025) repeals GPO & WEP, allowing full Social Security benefits. Retroactive Payments: Eligible recipients may receive...
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Estate Planning & Portability
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, Cary Sinnett welcomes Bob Keebler, a nationally recognized expert in estate and tax planning. Together, they break down the critical topic of portability in estate planning—what it is, how it works, and why it matters for both financial planners and clients. Key Insights: Portability: Use It or Lose It – If you don't elect portability within the required time frame, the deceased spouse’s unused estate tax exemption is lost forever. Deadlines Matter – The DSUE must be filed within 9 months of death, but an...
info_outlineIn this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, host Cary Sinnett welcomes Dr. Ross Riskin, Chief Learning Officer at the Investments & Wealth Institute and author of Guide to Education Planning. They dive deep into education planning strategies, including the benefits and complexities of tools like 529 plans, the importance of multi-generational funding conversations, and how to align education savings with broader financial goals.
Here are five key takeaways from the conversation between Cary Sinnett and Dr. Ross Riskin:
- The Value of Education Planning
- Education planning remains highly valuable as it bridges generations, connects with next-gen clients, and addresses a significant knowledge gap among financial advisors. It also integrates with broader legacy and wealth transfer strategies.
- Importance of Multi-Savings Vehicles
- Financial planning for education isn't "one size fits all." Utilizing a combination of tools like 529 plans, brokerage accounts, and Coverdell accounts helps optimize funding, flexibility, and tax efficiency based on client priorities and state-specific tax benefits.
- Proactive Conversations Across Generations
- Successful advisors include grandparents, parents, and even extended family in funding discussions early on. Understanding their contributions and intentions (e.g., lump sums vs. future pledges) is critical for accurate projections and family alignment.
- Strategies for Leftover 529 Plan Funds
- Excess funds can be strategically used by transferring beneficiaries, repaying student loans (up to $10,000 per person), or rolling into Roth IRAs for beneficiaries to support retirement planning.
- Financial Aid and Investment Oversight
- Advisors must understand financial aid policies, tax considerations, and investment flexibility within 529 plans, especially during distribution years. Monitoring allocations ensures funds are managed efficiently to preserve capital in high-interest environments.
Show Notes: Conclusion
Dr. Ross Riskin reminds us that effective education planning requires proactive conversations, personalized strategies, and leveraging tools like 529 plans for tax efficiency, legacy planning, and beyond. For more resources:
- Explore the AICPA PFP Section: aicpa.org/pfp.
- Get your copy of Guide to Education Planning to build your expertise.
Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to follow the podcast for future episodes featuring expert insights on tax, estate, investment, and financial planning.