At Brickley Wealth Management, we take an integrated approach to wealth management that combines investment advisory and in-house CPA services. One of the most tangible benefits of that integration is our ability to create real-time income tax projections. While many advisory firms and CPA practices handle their roles separately—often working off of historical data—we’re able to do something different. Something proactive.
Income tax projections sit at the intersection of your life and your money. They’re forward-looking, data-driven, and rooted in both tax law and market dynamics. And because we prepare tax returns and manage investments under the same roof, we can deliver insights that are not only accurate but actionable.
Most Tax Planning Is Historical. Ours Isn’t.
Traditionally, CPAs operate on a rearview mirror basis. The tax return is filed, and maybe there’s a brief discussion about what next year might look like. But then the file is closed and attention shifts to the next client. That’s not how we work.
When we prepare a client’s tax return, we’re already looking ahead. What’s changing next year? Are there upcoming events that could materially impact your income or tax liability? From RSU vesting to home purchases to changes in residency or retirement income—we’re scanning for all of it. Why? Because the earlier we see it, the more we can do.
Real-Time Planning That Adapts to Real Life
Life doesn’t follow a fixed calendar. And neither does our tax planning. That’s why we model "what-if" scenarios in real time. If you're considering a home purchase, for instance, we’ll look at the deductibility of property taxes and mortgage interest. Then we’ll assess whether you can adjust your withholding to improve cash flow and make that purchase more feasible.
We do the same for stock compensation, inheritance events, charitable giving, and more. One week, everything is status quo. The next, you might be facing a major equity exercise or preparing to sell appreciated real estate. Our job is to anticipate the impact and help you make informed choices.
Projections Built on Precision
How accurate can these projections be? Very. Especially when the client's financial life is relatively stable. If income and expenses tend to repeat year after year, we often don’t even need a formal projection—we simply check that existing withholdings and estimated payments are sufficient.
But when complexity enters the picture—like incentive stock options (ISOs), restricted stock units (RSUs), or shifting sources of income—our projections become more detailed. The advantage is that we already have much of the necessary data: retirement account balances, investment account activity, historical cash flow patterns, and prior tax returns. So the variables we’re modeling are often limited to one or two meaningful events, which makes for accurate—and timely—advice.
Combining Tax and Investment Strategy
Here’s where the integration of tax and investment really shines. Let’s say a client is in a lower capital gains bracket this year. Rather than harvest losses (a common practice), we might harvest gains to take advantage of the low rate. Conversely, we may recommend realizing losses if there’s a short-term spike in income.
We also handle things like adjusting IRA withholdings, managing required minimum distributions, or realizing a specific amount of long-term capital gain based on bracket thresholds. All of these are tactical moves that happen because we know both sides of the client’s financial story.
In one recent case, a client with incentive stock options was facing a market decline. Because we had already built a tax projection in anticipation of such an event, we were able to identify a narrow window where exercising the options would reduce exposure to the alternative minimum tax. We calculated the share quantity, advised on strike price implications, coordinated the funding—and did it all within the hour. That’s the kind of agility that comes from integrated planning.
Timing Matters—But So Does Continuity
When’s the right time for a projection? The short answer is: now. We start looking forward as early as when we file the current year’s return. But we also model scenarios throughout the year—right up to December 31. And when clients alert us to new developments, we adapt quickly. Often, we can see changes in cash flow or security activity even before a client calls us, which gives us the opportunity to initiate that planning conversation.
Even for retirees, where income can seem predictable, there are nuances. One spouse starting Social Security can push Medicare premiums higher. An unusually large distribution from an IRA can trigger taxability on previously untaxed Social Security income. The point is: projections don’t just prevent surprises—they help clients avoid missteps.
Why Combined Services Make a Difference
The biggest benefit of having your CPA and investment advisor in one place is alignment. Separate professionals don’t always communicate—and even if they do, it’s rarely in real time. Investment advisors often assume your tax profile is static. CPAs may not know how to translate tax opportunities into investment action.
At Brickley, we do both. We help clients fund 529s, open donor-advised funds, execute Roth conversions, and build portfolios with tax efficiency in mind. We use low-turnover, ETF-based strategies where appropriate. And we tailor decisions based on your tax bracket, your cash flow, and your goals.
We don't just talk about it—we do it.
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