Work directly with Philip M. Falco, CPA, to compare the federal and Colorado tax effects of your first years in retirement. We can model how Roth conversions, realized capital gains and withdrawals from different accounts affect the taxes you pay and, when relevant, your Marketplace health insurance costs before Medicare.
Request a retirement tax planning scope and quote · Review the $350 CPA consultation
Compare Your Final Working Year and First Years in Retirement
The year you leave work can look very different from the next full calendar year. Final wages, bonuses, equity compensation and your spouse’s income may overlap with new withdrawals or pension payments. A multi-year projection compares the same decisions across years so you can see how timing changes the result.
- Roth conversions. Compare a baseline with a partial conversion or a conversion in a different year. Review IRA basis, the taxable amount, the cash needed to pay tax and the effect on other income-based costs.
- Withdrawal sequencing. Compare the tax consequences of using cash, a taxable brokerage account, a traditional retirement account or Roth funds. The projection separates cash available for spending from income recognized on the return.
- Capital gains harvesting. Compare realizing gains now with deferring a sale. Review basis, holding periods and the combined effect on federal tax, Colorado tax and Marketplace income.
- Health coverage before Medicare. Estimate household income for the coverage year and compare potential federal premium tax credits alongside the tax projection. Colorado assistance has separate rules. Read our guide to ACA subsidies and early retirement in Colorado.
What a Retirement Tax Planning Engagement Can Include
We agree on the years, alternatives, assumptions, records and fee before work starts. A typical comparison starts with your expected income and spending needs, then models agreed changes such as moving a conversion to a later year or funding part of your spending with a taxable account sale. The written summary can show projected federal and Colorado tax, estimated Marketplace income where applicable, cash needed for tax payments and dates to revisit the plan.
Later years can include changes in pensions, Social Security or required minimum distributions when they matter to the decision. Annual updates and tax return preparation are available under a separate agreed scope.
Keep Your Existing Adviser and Accounts
You can keep your accounts at Fidelity or another custodian and continue working with your existing financial adviser. With your authorization, we can share agreed tax projections and discuss the timing and tax assumptions with that adviser. You and your investment professional handle investment decisions and transactions. The fee is for the agreed CPA tax work and does not depend on account balances.
What to Bring to the First Discussion
Start with your expected retirement date, how long you may need Marketplace coverage, your main income sources and any decision deadline. After receiving secure transfer instructions, gather recent tax returns, year-to-date pay and withholding, a summary of account types and taxable cost basis, pension or Social Security estimates, and any Marketplace premium or advance credit estimate.
Choose the Right Planning Scope
Ask for a separate quote for a multi-year retirement tax project. The Tax Strategy Series covers selected alternatives for one tax year. A $350 CPA consultation is an option for a focused initial discussion. For general projections and payment planning, see Tax Planning for Individuals and Business Owners.
Request a retirement tax planning scope and quote. Include the decisions you want to compare and any deadline. Wait for secure transfer instructions before sending tax returns or financial statements.