Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Tax Planning

Learn the importance of tax planning and how to reduce tax liability through customized investments, estate plans, and retirement strategies, from our CFPs® and CPAs at Mercer Advisors.

Multicultural Family with Grandparents
Tax Planning Article

New York Estate Tax: What Families Need To Know

New York estate tax affects estates above $7.35 million. Understand the exemption, cliff, and planning strategies to manage your tax exposure.

Tax Planning Guide

Tax-Loss Harvesting for Investment Portfolios: Direct Indexing and Beyond

Direct indexing may help investors generate tax alpha through tax-loss harvesting, often cited in the range of 1% to 2%  while also supporting wash sale rules and tax-efficient charitable giving strategies.

Tax Planning Article

Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption: Why Using It Now Could Offer Advantages Over Waiting

For taxable estates, using your lifetime exemption now can shelter future growth from estate tax. See how timing, trusts, and GST planning may shape the outcome.

Tax Planning Article

Retirement Tax Planning: Your Lowest-Tax Window May Be Open

Retired but not yet taking RMDs? You may be in your lowest-tax window. Learn how Roth conversions and smart withdrawal sequencing can cut lifetime taxes.

Tax Planning Article

What To Handle Before Dec. 31 and What Can Wait

A year-end financial checklist sorted by whether you’re employed, retired, or taking required minimum distributions (RMDs). Plus the items that don’t have December deadlines.

Tax Planning Article

Roth Conversion Strategy for Low-Income Years

A Roth conversion strategy during low-income years may help you shift pretax savings to tax-free growth. Learn how to coordinate conversions with IRMAA, ACA, and Social Security.

Tax Planning Article

Before You Sell Your Home, Consider This Tax Strategy

Converting your home to a short-term rental before you sell can pair a cost segregation study with the Section 121 exclusion. Here’s how it works.

Tax Planning Guide

Retirement Tax Planning: A Year-Round Guide to Help Keep More of What You’ve Built

A comprehensive retirement tax planning guide covering Roth conversions, RMDs, IRMAA, Social Security taxation, QCDs, and tax-loss harvesting strategies for retirees.

Tax Planning Article

How Much Money Do You Need To Work With a Wealth Manager?

Firm minimums vary widely, but a better question may be whether your financial complexity warrants professional coordination.

Tax Planning Article

The New Math of Charitable Giving Tax Deductions

New 2026 charitable giving tax deduction rules changed the math. Learn how the AGI floor, the 35% cap, and DAFs reshape your year-end giving strategy.

Tax Planning Article

How To Keep Your Family Vacation Home in the Family

Passing down a family vacation home takes more than a will. Learn how trusts, LLCs, and honest conversations can keep your legacy property in the family.

Tax Planning Article

Illinois Estate Tax: What High-Net-Worth Families Need To Know

Illinois’ $4 million estate tax exemption, far below the $15 million federal threshold, can expose high-net-worth families to unexpected state tax bills without proactive planning.

Tax Planning Guide

Tax Filing Is Not the Same As Tax Planning

You may think you’re managing your taxes effectively when you file each spring, but are you sure? Learn the difference between tax preparation and proactive tax planning.

FAQs
Tax Planning FAQ

How does New York estate tax compare to other states?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What’s the difference between New York and federal estate tax?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How do I calculate my New York estate tax?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Where can I find the current New York estate tax exemption amount?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How can I benefit from an estate plan if I live in New York?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How can a credit shelter trust help with New York estate tax planning?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How does the New York estate tax cliff operate?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What is the New York estate tax?

See the answer

Further Learning

Two men in a meeting.
Work & Business Guide

Selling Your Business: A 10-Year Exit Planning Playbook

Selling your business may be the largest financial transaction of your life. This 10-year framework walks you through owner-dependence reduction, tax optimization, estate planning, and postexit diversification.

Listen
Retirement Podcast

Episode 529 – Retirement Misconceptions

We debunk widespread retirement misconceptions about Social Security, long-term care, taxes, and the myth of a magic retirement number.

Older Couple Talking to Younger Woman
Retirement Article

What Are QLACs and Who Should Consider One?

Here is how qualified longevity annuity contracts (QLACs) work, the current rules, and when one might make sense for your retirement income plan.

Women & Wealth Article

What Financial Independence for Women Business Owners Really Means

Women business owners increasingly prioritize flexibility and independence. Learn how liquidity buffers, exit readiness, and coordinated planning can help.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Explore Our Solutions

Financial Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning & Preparation
Insurance Solutions
Investment Management
Trustee Services

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

Let’s Talk