Advanced Tax Planning Strategies for Every Aspect of Your Life

Taxes are a crucial part of almost every major financial decision, from buying a home to planning your retirement. Failing to take them into account can result in overpayment of taxes and diminished investment returns. Our tax planning team helps you preserve your wealth by identifying and minimizing potential tax liabilities before you act.

Our seasoned tax specialists understand the relationship between taxes, financial planning, and investment management.

Our expertise includes:

  • Tax projections
  • Tax optimization strategies
  • Personal and trust tax returns
  • Business tax returns
Steve Walker

Partner / Steve Walker

Comprehensive Tax Planning
Services that Help Reduce
Liability Year-Round

Many financial decisions have tax implications that you may not be aware of—but we are. The most effective financial plans are the ones that include tax-planning strategies. Working together, we help you:

  • Proactively identify ways to reduce your taxes based on your goals and circumstances
  • Make sound decisions based on quarterly and annual tax projections
  • React in real-time to new tax regulations
  • Incorporate dynamic planning that evolves with your personal and professional life

Reduce Your Taxes. Preserve Your Assets. Grow Your Wealth.

You don’t need a tax historian. You need a tax planner who sees your financial life as integrated events that impact your future. We implement tax strategies tailored to your goals.

01

Estate Planning

Without proper planning, inheritance and estate taxes can erode your legacy. Our wealth transfer strategies are designed to help reduce, and in some cases, eliminate estate taxes.

02

Philanthropy

You make charitable gifts because you care about making a difference locally, nationally, or globally. Low cost-basis securities, charitable lead trusts, and charitable remainder trusts are a few ways we help minimize the tax implications of your gifts.

03

Investment Management

Your investments, their value, and your cost basis can all affect your tax bill. We help you create tax-efficient investment portfolios and harvest investment losses to reduce your obligations.

04

Business Management

Should you establish your business as a sole proprietorship? An S Corp? Or C Corp? We help you analyze the tax implications of different business structures so you can pick the one that’s right for you and your financial situation.

Reduce Your Taxes. Preserve Your Assets. Grow Your Wealth.

You don’t need a tax historian. You need a tax planner who sees your financial life as integrated events that impact your future. We implement tax strategies tailored to your goals.

01

Estate Planning

Without proper planning, inheritance and estate taxes can erode your legacy. Our wealth transfer strategies are designed to help reduce, and in some cases, eliminate estate taxes.

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Estate

Which Is Better-A Will or Revocable Trust?

A common decision when creating an estate plan is whether to use a will or a revocable living trust. There is a lot of confusion about when one should be used over the other. The answer is heavily dependent on which state you live in and what type of assets you own. In other words, […]

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Estate

Which Is Better-A Will or Revocable Trust?

A common decision when creating an estate plan is whether to use a will or a revocable living trust. There is a lot of confusion about when one should be used over the other. The answer is heavily dependent on which state you live in and what type of assets you own. In other words, […]

02

Philanthropy

You make charitable gifts because you care about making a difference locally, nationally, or globally. Low cost-basis securities, charitable lead trusts, and charitable remainder trusts are a few ways we help minimize the tax implications of your gifts.

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Charitable Giving

A Guide to Charitable Gifting Options

Discover the power of purposeful giving with our guide on current charitable gifting options. Explore Private Foundations, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and Donor Advised Funds to tailor your strategy for maximum impact. Begin your journey towards meaningful philanthropy and manage your wealth effectively with us.

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Charitable Giving

A Guide to Charitable Gifting Options

Discover the power of purposeful giving with our guide on current charitable gifting options. Explore Private Foundations, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and Donor Advised Funds to tailor your strategy for maximum impact. Begin your journey towards meaningful philanthropy and manage your wealth effectively with us.

03

Investment Management

Your investments, their value, and your cost basis can all affect your tax bill. We help you create tax-efficient investment portfolios and harvest investment losses to reduce your obligations.

Doug Garrison

Partner

Investments

The Benefits (and Limitations) of Tax-Loss Harvesting

“Sell a position for less than what I paid? Why would I want to do that?” How do we take advantage of a down market to save on taxes? There are times when selling an investment for less than what you paid for it makes sense.

Doug Garrison

Partner

Investments

The Benefits (and Limitations) of Tax-Loss Harvesting

“Sell a position for less than what I paid? Why would I want to do that?” How do we take advantage of a down market to save on taxes? There are times when selling an investment for less than what you paid for it makes sense.

04

Business Management

Should you establish your business as a sole proprietorship? An S Corp? Or C Corp? We help you analyze the tax implications of different business structures so you can pick the one that’s right for you and your financial situation.

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Insurance Planning & Risk Management

When It Comes to LLCs, Pay Attention to Liability Direction

When properly structured, the use of SMLLCs in conjunction with an MMLLC provides important upward and downward liability protection benefits while reducing the number of tax returns that need to be prepared.

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Insurance Planning & Risk Management

When It Comes to LLCs, Pay Attention to Liability Direction

When properly structured, the use of SMLLCs in conjunction with an MMLLC provides important upward and downward liability protection benefits while reducing the number of tax returns that need to be prepared.

We believe in people, encourage diverse perspectives, and foster a culture of excellence.

Explore Our Offerings for Individuals and Families

Ben Pace and Joseph Matus

Economic & Market Update

Weekly Investment Perspectives

Inflation has settled back near longer-term averages, with high shelter and services inflation being offset by falling prices for energy and goods.

Paul Chmielewski

Partner

Estate

Estate Planning Documents Everyone Should Have

The basic message is that most people think estate planning is important but are often confused about how to get it done. So, what are the basic estate planning documents every adult should have?

Frederic Behrens

Partner

Cross-Border Planning

Guide to Financial Planning for Non-U.S. Citizens Living in the United States

Those living (or soon to be living) in the United States on a green card or U.S employment visa face many financial, tax and legal issues that average American citizens do not. Unfamiliarity with the U.S. tax and legal environment often leads to poor long-term financial planning decisions and costly mistakes. To make cross-border financial […]

Ayisha Tahir

Principal

Individuals and Families

Harnessing the Power of Health Savings Accounts

HSAs offer more than a way to manage healthcare costs; they are a vital wealth-building tool that utilizes tax advantages and growth opportunities to bolster financial security.

Doug Garrison

Partner

Investments

The Benefits (and Limitations) of Tax-Loss Harvesting

“Sell a position for less than what I paid? Why would I want to do that?” How do we take advantage of a down market to save on taxes? There are times when selling an investment for less than what you paid for it makes sense.

Devon Ruttenberg

Partner

Family Office Services

Why Your Family Office May Need an Advisor

With great wealth comes great responsibility. Families with legacy wealth that want direct control over investment policy decisions often establish a family office to oversee, directly or indirectly, the financial affairs of the family.

Brett Dearing

Partner

Business Owner Advisory

Is Your Business Sellable?

Many owners run their businesses without an exit plan in mind. Then when the time comes to sell, they find out that the way they’ve been running their company isn’t attractive to prospective buyers or that they will only buy the business at a meaningful discount.

Vonny Carrington, Kathryn Kennedy and Ekaterina Klimentova

Financial Planning

Managing Money as a Couple

In a Relationship? So are Your Finances. Learn practical financial tips for managing money as a couple.

Andrew Fisher

Partner

Cross-Border Planning

Why Major U.S. Brokerage Firms Are Closing Accounts Owned by Foreign Residents

Many expats and multi-national residents are working with investment firms that are increasingly abandoning this service. We explore why firms are discarding these complex clients, and what people should do next.

Select your specialty

Investing is a commitment to your future. It's a way to grow and preserve what you've earned. Our disciplined and goal-centric investment approach helps ensure your portfolio is positioned to withstand changing market and economic conditions.

Our advanced estate planning and wealth preservation solutions help you achieve your goals while mitigating tax liabilities. Recommendations are tailored to your unique situation and reflect our expansive knowledge of estate, trust, gift, and tax laws.

Successfully navigating the financial challenges that come with wealth involves planning, relevant advice, and an advisor who’s not afraid to say "no" when you ask, “can I afford this?” Cerity Partners does all three.

Protect the life you and your family have worked so hard to build. We help you understand your current level of risk exposure and offer personalized solutions that seek to protect the vulnerable areas of your financial life.

We design and implement tax optimization strategies including the creation of detailed tax projections and the preparation of personal, trust, and business tax returns.

Our family office services span the spectrum from full financial management to helping you establish and coordinate your own family office. Whatever level of support you need, we can help.

We work with owners of privately-held businesses to help them create and execute transition plans that provide a seamless and successful exit for themselves, their families and other stakeholders.

We’re here to help you create a comprehensive financial plan that reflects your shared vision. In the unfortunate event your marriage dissolves, we also provide divorce financial consulting.

Just because your professional life is spread across different regions of the world doesn’t mean your financial life has to be complicated. Cerity Partners has extensive knowledge of U.S. and global tax laws and regulations, and we will work with you to preserve and grow your wealth here and abroad.