Plan the Tax on Your Income Before It Arrives.
Taxed when it arrives. Planned before it does.
Salary, bonuses, equity, and business profits are all taxed on a calendar. Planning the timing, the accounts, and the structure can change how much of it you keep.
30 minutes. Free. No tax return needed.
Who typically benefits
Income planning matters most when your pay is large, variable, or tied to a business or to equity.
Profits, owner pay, and retirement plan design
RSUs, options, and withholding gaps
Salary and bonus, and where the next dollar should go
Rental income, depreciation, and passive loss rules
Questions we help answer
“My bonus was withheld at a flat rate. Is that enough?”
“I max out my 401(k) and still owe a lot at filing. What else is there?”
“My stock vested and I don’t know what I’ll owe.”
“My business is profitable and I want to shelter more of that income.”
Numbers worth knowing
Key 2026 figures that shape an income plan.
$24,500
The 401(k) employee deferral limit, or $32,500 with the age 50+ catch-up
22% and 37%
Federal flat withholding on supplemental income such as bonuses, with 37% applying above $1 million in a year
$7,500
The IRA contribution limit, with Roth IRA eligibility phasing out starting at $153,000 (single) and $242,000 (married filing jointly)
What we look at
The team at WealthQuant Advisors builds an income plan around four primary questions.
When does your income arrive?
We map bonuses, vesting dates, exercises, and business distributions against your tax year, so nothing lands as a surprise.
Is enough being set aside?
Flat withholding doesn’t reflect your total income. We model your full year and adjust withholding or estimated payments.
Which accounts are you using?
A 401(k), an HSA, and Roth strategies, including a backdoor Roth where it fits, can lower today’s tax and build tax-free growth.
Is your structure working for you?
For owners, entity choice, owner pay, and retirement plan design decide how much of your profit is exposed to tax.
Customized strategies
These specialty strategies sit under income planning, depending on your situation.
RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, and the AMT
One of the largest deductions available to a business owner
Defer income beyond the 401(k) limit
One Big Move. Many Moving Parts.
Vests, exercises and deductions — timed to your bracket.
Common questions about income tax planning
What is income tax planning?
It’s planning how and when your income is earned, deferred, and sheltered so more of it stays after tax. Filing reports the year that just ended. Planning shapes the year ahead, before the tax is due.
Is a bonus taxed at a higher rate than my salary?
Not as a rule. Employers usually withhold a flat 22% federal rate on bonuses, but your actual tax is set when you file, based on your total income. If the withholding is too low, you owe the difference then.
What can I do if I’ve already maxed out my 401(k)?
Depending on your situation, options include an HSA, a backdoor Roth IRA, an after-tax 401(k) contribution if your plan allows it, and, for owners, a defined benefit plan or deferred compensation. Each has its own rules and trade-offs.
When should I start planning?
Before the income arrives. Many moves have deadlines, such as setting up a plan by year-end or electing a deferral before the year starts, and they can’t be done after the fact.
I already have a CPA. Do I still need this?
Your CPA files the return. The team at WealthQuant Advisors plans the year ahead and coordinates with your CPA so nothing is missed.
Educational only. Not tax, legal, or investment advice. Strategies depend on your situation.
See where your income is going
A free 30-minute Tax X-Ray. We’ll look at your income, your calendar, and the moves worth considering. No tax return needed.