Why We Start Year-End Planning Earlier Than You Might Think

It may feel a little early to be talking about year-end planning, but this time of year is actually one of our favorite windows to pause, reflect, and get intentional about what the rest of the year could look like. Late spring and early summer tend to offer something we don’t always have in November or December: time. Time to think clearly, explore options, and make thoughtful decisions—without the pressure of looming deadlines. And that’s exactly why we start these conversations now.

 

You may have also recently received an email from Laura asking you to either complete a short guide about your 2025 tax return or upload a copy of your return for us to review. That’s a key part of this process. Having a clear picture of where things stand today allows us to be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to planning.

 

From there, here are a few areas we typically revisit together:

 

A midyear tax check-in
Running a tax projection now can provide helpful clarity. It allows us to identify potential surprises or opportunities, while there’s still time to adjust. Whether it’s withholding, estimated payments, or strategic moves before year-end, having this insight early can make a meaningful difference.

 

Charitable giving, with intention
If giving is part of your plan, this is a great time to think through what that might look like this year. There are several ways to give: cash, appreciated securities, donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions. Each comes with its own considerations. Starting early gives us the space to choose the approach that best aligns with your goals.

 

Gifting strategies for family
Whether it’s supporting children or grandchildren, contributing to education, or thinking more broadly about your estate plan, gifting can be a powerful tool. It can also become complicated if left until the end of the year. Planning ahead helps ensure everything is structured thoughtfully and documented properly.

 

Taking a closer look at concentrated positions
Over time, it’s not uncommon for one investment to grow into a larger portion of your net worth than originally intended. This can introduce additional risk. Together, we can evaluate whether it makes sense to gradually rebalance and what the tax implications of that might be.

 

At the end of the day, this isn’t about checking boxes, it’s about making sure your financial plan continues to reflect your life as it is today. And often, the best planning happens when we give ourselves a little more runway.

 

If you haven’t had a chance to complete Laura’s request yet, that’s a great place to start. And if you’d like to talk through any of these areas or revisit your strategy before year-end, I’d love to connect.