Tax Strategy & Planning
Most people don't overpay in taxes because they earn too much. They overpay because no one showed them what to do before the year ended.
IRS Enrolled Agent · AFC® · WMCP® · Independent · Virtual via Zoom
Schedule a Tax Strategy SessionKnow Your Tax Picture Before You File
Tax strategy is a year-round conversation — not a once-a-year filing event.
In fact, by the time you're sitting down to file, most of the decisions that affect what you owe have already been made. As a result, the most valuable work happens well before April — not during it.
Why Proactive Planning Matters
As an IRS Enrolled Agent, I work with individuals, households, and small business owners to build proactive tax strategies that reduce liability and create clarity. Furthermore, because every financial situation is different, every session is tailored specifically to your income, goals, and circumstances.
Consequently, this isn't tax preparation — it's the forward-looking advisory work that determines what your return will look like long before you file. Additionally, all sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom, so you can work with me from anywhere in Alaska or beyond.
Who Tax Strategy & Planning Is For
This service is designed for people who want to understand their tax picture and make intentional decisions — not just react at filing time.
You May Benefit If Your Situation Looks Like This
In particular, tax strategy sessions are valuable when your finances involve more complexity than a standard W-2 filing — or when you simply want to stop guessing and start planning.
You may benefit if you
- Feel like you always owe more than expected
- Got a large refund and wonder why
- Own a business or are self-employed
- Have rental income or investment activity
- Recently experienced a major life change
- Want to understand your return — not just sign it
- Receive the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
Common situations addressed
- Self-employment and Schedule C income
- Business entity structure decisions
- Owner compensation and payroll strategy
- Retirement account selection and timing
- HSA contribution and tax strategy
- Rental property and depreciation
- PFD and Alaska-specific tax considerations
What Tax Strategy Actually Means
Tax strategy is the process of making financial decisions with their tax consequences in mind — before the year closes and the options disappear.
Two Very Different Approaches to Taxes
Most people take the reactive approach simply because no one showed them there was another way. However, the proactive approach is available to anyone willing to plan ahead.
Reactive approach (filing only)
- Review last year's income and expenses
- Calculate what you owe or are owed
- File the return
- Wait to see what next year brings
Proactive approach (strategy first)
- Understand this year's tax picture early
- Make intentional decisions before year-end
- Use available deductions and accounts strategically
- Enter filing season with no surprises
Ultimately, the difference between the two approaches is often measured in hundreds or thousands of dollars — not in how complicated your finances are. Moreover, the proactive approach is available to anyone, regardless of income level.
What a Tax Strategy Session Covers
Because every situation is different, every session is tailored to what you bring and where the conversation goes.
Topics Commonly Addressed in Sessions
For example, a self-employed client might focus on quarterly estimates and retirement accounts, while a W-2 earner might focus on deductions and year-end moves. In either case, the goal is the same — more clarity and less guessing.
- Review of prior year return
- Identifying missed deductions
- Estimated quarterly tax planning
- Retirement account selection and limits
- HSA strategy and tax-advantaged accounts
- Self-employment tax and deductions
- Business entity structure considerations
- Owner compensation and S-Corp salary strategy
- Home office deduction (simplified vs. actual)
- Vehicle and mileage deductions
- Rental income and depreciation
- Capital gains timing and planning
- Alaska PFD and SALT cap considerations
- Year-end moves before December 31st
Note on tax preparation: Tax strategy sessions provide advisory guidance and forward-looking planning. Tax return preparation is a separate service. If you need both, we can discuss how they work together.
How Tax Strategy Sessions Work
Tax strategy coaching translates your financial picture into clear, practical decisions you can act on.
A Simple Three-Step Process
Because sessions are conducted virtually, there's no commute, no waiting room, and no friction. Simply book, prepare, and show up ready to focus.
Tax Strategy Session Pricing
All sessions are offered at a flat rate — no hourly billing surprises, no upsells.
Choose the Session That Fits Your Situation
Whether you're an individual, a household, or a business owner, there's a session designed specifically for your needs. Additionally, follow-on sessions are available at the same rate if your situation warrants continued support.
Tax Strategy & Readiness Session
75-minute advisory session for individuals, households, and W-2 earners with complex situations. Prior return review, forward-looking strategies, and your questions answered.
Business Owner Tax Strategy Session
75-minute session focused on business tax strategy — entity structure, owner compensation, self-employment tax, retirement accounts, and year-end planning.
HSA Strategy Session
Focused session on Health Savings Account strategy — contribution limits, investment options, qualified expenses, and how an HSA fits into your overall tax picture.
Tax Strategy in Alaska's Mat-Su Valley
Alaska has no state income tax, which simplifies some things. However, it also creates its own planning considerations — particularly for residents receiving the Permanent Fund Dividend and business owners managing federal self-employment tax obligations.
Alaska-Specific Factors That Affect Your Tax Picture
As a result of these unique circumstances, Alaska residents often benefit from tax strategy conversations that a preparer in another state might overlook entirely. Furthermore, because all sessions are virtual, distance is never a barrier to getting that guidance.
Alaska-specific topics
- Permanent Fund Dividend federal tax treatment
- PFD and quarterly estimated tax planning
- SALT cap implications for Alaska residents
- Self-employment tax for contractors and tradespeople
- Seasonal and variable income planning
- Military and VA income considerations
- Remote work and multi-state income situations
How sessions work virtually
- All sessions conducted via Zoom
- Share documents and screens in real time
- Available to clients throughout Alaska
- Mat-Su Valley, Wasilla, Palmer, and beyond
- No in-person appointment needed
- Same quality regardless of your location
- Virtual-first by design — not a limitation
What Tax Strategy & Planning Is — and Isn't
It's important to be clear about what these sessions include — and equally clear about what they don't.
Understanding the Scope of This Service
In particular, tax strategy is advisory work — not filing work. However, if you also need preparation services, those can be discussed separately.
This is
- Forward-looking tax advisory guidance
- Prior return review and analysis
- Strategy sessions with an IRS Enrolled Agent
- Judgment-free, independent advice
- Virtual — available from anywhere
This is not
- Tax return preparation or filing
- Legal advice
- Investment management
- Commission-based recommendations
- A replacement for a CPA on complex matters
Working with a CPA? Tax strategy sessions complement rather than replace your existing CPA relationship. Many clients use these sessions to better understand their situation before meeting with their preparer, or to get a second perspective on forward-looking decisions.
Start With a Tax Strategy Conversation
Tax strategy looks different for everyone. Therefore, the first step is a session to understand your specific situation and determine what moves make the most sense for you.
As a result, you'll leave knowing where you stand, what's costing you more than it should, and what to do before the year ends.
Schedule a Tax Strategy SessionMatthew Gorrell · AFC® · IRS Enrolled Agent · WMCP® · HonorPoint Financial · Wasilla, Alaska
Independent · Commission-free · Virtual sessions via Zoom
Tax Strategy & Planning — Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Tax Strategy Sessions
If you're not sure whether this service is the right fit, the answers below should help. Additionally, you're always welcome to reach out directly before booking.
What is an IRS Enrolled Agent?
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally licensed tax professional authorized by the IRS to represent taxpayers in all matters before the IRS — including audits, collections, appeals, and tax resolution. In fact, EAs are the only tax professionals whose authority comes directly from the federal government rather than individual states. Furthermore, the EA designation requires passing a comprehensive three-part IRS examination and ongoing continuing education.
How is tax strategy different from tax preparation?
Tax preparation is backward-looking — it takes what happened during the year and produces an accurate return. Tax strategy, on the other hand, is forward-looking — it involves making decisions during the year with their tax consequences in mind. As a result, strategy determines what your return will look like, while preparation simply documents it. Consequently, the most impactful work happens before the year closes.
Do I need to bring my tax return?
It's helpful but not required. However, your most recent federal return gives me the fastest path to understanding your current picture — including income sources, filing status, deductions used, and effective rate. If you don't have it, we simply work with what you know about your situation and build from there.
I already have a CPA. Can I still use this service?
Yes — and in many cases it's complementary. For example, some clients use a tax strategy session to better understand their situation before meeting with their preparer. Others, meanwhile, want a forward-looking planning conversation that goes beyond what a filing-focused CPA typically provides. In either case, these sessions are advisory and independent, with no conflict of interest.
Do you handle unfiled or back tax returns?
As an Enrolled Agent, I can work with clients on multi-year filing situations and IRS compliance matters. However, this type of work is handled as a separate engagement from the standard tax strategy session. Therefore, if you have unfiled years or IRS notices, reach out directly so we can discuss the right approach for your situation.
Are sessions available virtually?
Yes — in fact, all sessions are conducted via Zoom by design. Virtual delivery means you can work with me from anywhere in Alaska or beyond, share documents on screen, and have a focused conversation without the friction of scheduling an in-person appointment. As a result, everything needed for an effective session can be handled remotely — and the quality is the same regardless of where you are.
What do I do after the session?
You'll leave with specific actions relevant to your situation — for instance, things to do before year-end, accounts to open or contribute to, or questions to bring to your preparer. Additionally, if your situation warrants ongoing support, further sessions are available at the same rate. However, there's no pressure to continue beyond what's genuinely useful.