In this episode of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, hosts John Tripolsky and Chris Picciurro, CPA, sit down with college funding expert Brian Eyster to break down one of the most misunderstood financial planning topics for families: FAFSA and college financial aid strategy.

Episode 164 delivers a clear roadmap for navigating the rising costs of college by blending smart tax planning with proactive financial aid preparation. Brian demystifies the FAFSA process, explains major updates families must know, and shares actionable steps to maximize eligibility for need-based aid.

Throughout the conversation, Brian highlights how income, assets, and timing play crucial roles in how much financial aid a student may receive. Listeners learn the key differences between FAFSA and the CSS Profile, how the shift from Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the Student Aid Index (SAI) changes planning conversations, and why starting early—ideally during a child’s sophomore year of high school—can make a measurable difference.

Parents also gain clarity on how certain assets work against them in the financial aid formula, what should be avoided at all costs, and how to strategically position their finances during the “base year” to legally and ethically reduce their SAI.

Notable Quotes

• “Our job is to try and get the SAI lower and lower—legally, ethically, and morally.” — Brian S. Eyster
• “Think of yourself playing a chess match. You can win a chess game with a multitude of different strategies in place.” — Brian S. Eyster
• “For parents of juniors… this is your last chance to do anything proactively regarding your income.” — Brian S. Eyster
• “Parents, it is highly inadvisable for your children to own the assets at the time you’re completing these forms.” — Brian S. Eyster
• “The best place to reach out is through our website, where you can book a 20-minute call to determine if we get along and like each other.” — Brian S. Eyster

Resources:

• Essential Strategies: Brian Eister’s company offers financial aid planning services.
• FAFSA Website: Official site for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Episode Sponsor:
Strategic Associates, LLC
Roger Roundy
www.linkedin.com/in/roger-roundy-86887b23

• (00:03) - Exploring FAFSA and Tax Strategies for College Aid Planning

In this episode of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, host John and tax expert Chris delve into a pivotal topic in taxation - the Marginal Tax Rate (MTR). Sponsored by Wealth Builders Mortgage Group, the podcast aims to shed light on the intricacies of tax strategies that transcend the basic understanding of tax brackets. Chris reveals why MTR is considered the primary Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for effective tax planning, emphasizing its critical role in guiding tax strategies and decisions.

Throughout the discussion, the distinction between marginal tax rates and tax brackets is elucidated, with Chris stressing the deceptive nature of tax brackets in comparison to the impactful MTR. He elaborates on how understanding one's MTR can drastically affect financial decisions and outcomes, particularly in tax planning contexts. Chris also touches on various elements like phase-outs and hidden taxes that influence one's marginal tax rate, offering listeners deep insights into tax planning. Highlighting the significance of implementing strategies that align with individual MTRs, Chris reinforces that comprehending one's MTR is pivotal to effective lifetime tax management.

⸻

KEY TAKEAWAYS

✅ MTR vs. Tax Brackets: Marginal Tax Rate (MTR) is the most critical measure in tax planning, overshadowing the deceptive tax brackets.

✅ Tax Planning Strategy: Understanding and utilizing the MTR allows individuals to make informed choices, reducing taxes legally and ethically across their lifetime.

✅ Elements Affecting MTR: Chris highlights factors like phase-outs, deductions, and hidden taxes that can alter one's MTR significantly.

✅ Implementation over Ideas: Effective tax reduction hinges on implementing strategies that align with one's MTR to ensure maximum tax efficiency.

✅ Resources for Education: The podcast encourages utilizing Teaching Tax Flow content, such as YouTube and their community for further learning and clarity on tax concepts.

⸻

EPISODE SPONSOR
Wealth Builders Mortgage Group
Your trusted mortgage partner for investors and entrepreneurs.
👉 www.wealthbuildersmortgagegroup.com

• (00:02) - Exploring Marginal Tax Rates and Real Estate Investment Strategies

In this episode of the Teaching Tax Flow podcast, hosts John and Chris jump into the intricacies of the Section 179 deduction, a crucial topic for small and medium-sized businesses seeking tax advantages through immediate expense on qualifying property. The episode demystifies this often-confused segment of the tax code, ensuring business owners and tax professionals understand its application, eligibility, and strategic use in financial planning.

With vivid explanations, the conversation revolves around the distinction between Section 179 and bonus depreciation, the importance of electing into Section 179, and its application across various business entities. Chris shares relatable anecdotes from his travels and hands-on teaching experiences, further contextualizing these complex tax concepts. Through practical examples and thoughtful guidance, listeners will gain a robust understanding of how to leverage Section 179 to its fullest potential, whether dealing with tangible property or considering the timing of significant purchases.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Section 179: Section 179 allows businesses to immediately expense qualifying property, unlike bonus depreciation which applies automatically unless opted out.
• Eligibility and Limits: The 2025 maximum deduction is $2.5 million, indexed for inflation, with a phaseout beginning at $4 million in property purchases.
• Business Entity Implications: Decisions to elect Section 179 deductions occur at the entity level, affecting partnerships, S Corps, and sole proprietors differently.
• Strategic Planning: Using Section 179 can be advantageous for spreading tax deductions over multiple years, especially for businesses with cyclic equipment purchases.
• Bookkeeping Importance: Accurate bookkeeping is crucial for tax efficiency; distinguishing between leases and purchases can impact deductions significantly.

Resources

• Teaching Tax Flow Website
• Defeating Taxes Community

Episode Sponsor:
Legacy Lock
Book a 30-minute complimentary discovery session at teachingtaxflow.com/legacy
(Mention Teaching Tax Flow for special pricing)

• (00:02) - Understanding Section 179 Deduction and Its Relevance

In Episode 161 of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA, and John Tripolsky welcome back special guest Parker Borofsky of Wealth Builders Mortgage Group to discuss one of the most common financial challenges entrepreneurs face — qualifying for a mortgage while self-employed.

Parker brings a lender’s perspective to this crucial topic, sharing real-world insights into how lenders view self-employment income, tax returns, and documentation when approving home loans. Together, the trio breaks down how tax planning decisions, deductions, and entity structures directly impact loan qualification, often in unexpected ways.

This episode offers invaluable advice for self-employed individuals, small business owners, and real estate investors looking to position themselves for mortgage success without sacrificing smart tax strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Self-employed borrowers often face more documentation hurdles than W-2 employees.
• Lenders analyze two years of tax returns and focus on net income, not gross revenue.
• Over-aggressive tax deductions can reduce qualifying income — balance tax savings with borrowing goals.
• Different lenders use varied methods to calculate income from K-1s, Schedule C, or corporate returns.
• Bank statement programs and alternative loan products can help bridge qualification gaps.
• Proper planning, documentation, and collaboration between your CPA and lender are critical for approval success.
• Start planning early — ideally six to twelve months before you apply for a mortgage.

Notable Quotes

1. “Tax strategy and mortgage qualification go hand in hand for the self-employed.” — Parker Borofsky
2. “The number one mistake I see is people writing off everything and then wondering why they can’t qualify.” — Chris Picciurro
3. “Income for lending and income for tax purposes are not always the same thing.” — Parker Borofsky
4. “If you’re self-employed, think long-term — what you claim on your return can make or break your loan.” — John Tripolsky
5. “Your lender and your CPA should be talking before you apply for a mortgage.” — Chris Picciurro

Resources

• Sponsor: Wealth Builders Mortgage Group — wealthbuildersmortgagegroup.com
• Teaching Tax Flow Hub: teachingtaxflow.com/hub
• Join the Defeating Taxes Community: defeatingtaxes.com
• Teaching Tax Flow YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@TeachingTaxFlow

Episode Sponsor:
Strategic Associates, LLC
Roger Roundy
www.linkedin.com/in/roger-roundy-86887b23

• (00:03) - Mortgage Solutions for Self-Employed Individuals

In this episode, Chris Picciurro, CPA, and John Tripolsky break down the IRS’s brand-new form: Schedule 1-A (Form 1040), created to handle new deductions introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3).

Starting in the 2025 filing year, millions of taxpayers will use this form to claim deductions like No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime Pay, Automobile Loan Interest, and Enhanced Deductions for Seniors.

Chris explains how these new “between-the-lines” deductions work, who qualifies, and why knowing your marginal tax rate is more important than ever.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Schedule 1-A is brand-new and will apply to millions of taxpayers starting in 2025.
✅ Includes four major new deductions under OB3.
✅ Each deduction has unique income phaseouts.
✅ Accurate documentation and understanding of eligibility are essential.
✅ Always verify if your state conforms to the new federal deductions.

RESOURCES
• Teaching Tax Flow Website: www.teachingtaxflow.com
• Defeating Taxes Community: www.defeatingtaxes.com
• Teaching Tax Flow YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@teachingtaxflow

EPISODE SPONSOR
Wealth Builders Mortgage Group
Strategic mortgage solutions for real estate investors.
Visit www.wealthbuildersmortgagegroup.com

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• (00:00) - Exploring IRS Schedule 1A and Investor Lending Strategies

In Episode 159 of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, hosts John Tripolsky and Chris Picciurro, CPA, tackle one of the most talked-about provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3).. No Tax on Tips rule.

This episode cuts through the noise to clarify what “no tax” really means, who qualifies, and how tipped workers and self-employed individuals can take advantage of this new deduction starting in 2025.

Chris breaks down eligibility factors, income phase-outs, and which occupations are recognized as “customarily tipped.” From servers and stylists to rideshare drivers and entertainers, this new rule has far-reaching implications, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. The hosts also explore examples illustrating how this temporary deduction applies between 2025 and 2028, why voluntary tips matter, and what both employees and employers need to track to stay compliant.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The No Tax on Tips deduction (effective 2025 – 2028) allows qualifying workers to deduct up to $25,000 of voluntary tips from taxable income.
• Applies to both employees and self-employed individuals in occupations that customarily receive tips.
• Only voluntary cash or card tips qualify — automatic “service charges” are not eligible.
• Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes still apply — this affects only federal income tax.
• Phase-outs begin at $150 K (single) / $300 K (MFJ); full phase-out at $400 K (single) / $550 K (MFJ).
• Married couples must file jointly to claim the deduction.
• Proper record-keeping of all voluntary tips is essential for compliance and deduction accuracy.

RESOURCES
• Teaching Tax Flow Website: https://www.teachingtaxflow.com
• Defeating Taxes Community: https://www.defeatingtaxes.com
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@teachingtaxflow

EPISODE SPONSOR
Sunsets & Dinks
Save 15% at https://www.teachingtaxflow.com/pickleball with code TTF15

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
👉 Spotify https://bit.ly/3KdmtJL
👉 Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3ZkyEtX
👉 Amazon https://amzn.to/4qmdqa5
👉 iHeart https://bit.ly/iheart-TTF

• (00:01) - Exploring IRS Policy on No Tax for Tips

In this Episode of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, hosts Chris and John are joined by Jeremy Wells, PhD, CPA, EA, to unravel one of the most misunderstood areas in tax strategy — Material Participation.

Jeremy, known for blending his academic background with real-world tax expertise, breaks down what truly defines material participation and why it matters so much for real estate investors, high-income earners, and business owners. This episode provides a clear and actionable discussion of IRS Section 469, passive activity rules, and how to correctly apply the “seven tests” to determine whether income is passive or active.

Listeners will gain practical insights on documentation, common misconceptions, and how education remains key to staying compliant while maximizing benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Material participation determines whether you can use passive losses to offset active income.

• The IRS defines seven tests for material participation under Section 469 — understanding which applies to your situation is critical.

• Proper documentation (time logs, spreadsheets, or tracking apps) is essential for substantiating material participation claims.

• Not every real estate investor qualifies as a “real estate professional” for tax purposes — W-2 employees often don’t meet the test.

• Continuous education is vital for both tax professionals and clients to navigate evolving tax law and avoid misinformation.

Notable Quotes

• “We can’t really shut down bad information. All we can do is fight against it with good information.” — Jeremy Wells

• “The goal here, if you’re the taxpayer, is to try to have active income offset with those passive losses.” — Jeremy Wells

• “Just because you have a real estate license doesn’t make you a real estate professional for tax purposes necessarily.” — Jeremy Wells

• “You need to keep that contemporaneous log… just like mileage tracking for your real estate portfolio.” — Jeremy Wells

• “Education is still a key part of the work that I’m trying to do.” — Jeremy Wells

Resources

• Teaching Tax Flow Website: https://www.teachingtaxflow.com

• Defeating Taxes Community: https://www.defeatingtaxes.com

• Teaching Tax Flow YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TeachingTaxFlow

Episode Sponsor:
Strategic Associates, LLC
Roger Roundy
www.linkedin.com/in/roger-roundy-86887b23

• (00:00) - Demystifying Material Participation for Taxpayers and Investors

In this episode of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA, and John Tripolsky revisit a familiar favorite — the Limited Liability Company (LLC). Whether you’re forming your first entity or restructuring an existing one, this episode walks through the essential steps of creating and maintaining an LLC — while busting myths about tax benefits, compliance, and liability protection.

Chris explains why an LLC is first and foremost a legal entity (not a magical tax shield), while John adds real-world insights on naming, filing, and keeping your compliance in check. Together, they break down the formation process, discuss the importance of operating agreements, and clarify ongoing responsibilities such as renewals, EIN filings, and state fees.

Key Takeaways

• An LLC stands for Limited Liability Company — a legal structure, not automatically a tax advantage.

• Your attorney may get more excited than your CPA — LLCs protect assets, but don’t inherently cut taxes.

• Steps include: naming your LLC, appointing a registered agent, filing Articles of Organization, creating an Operating Agreement, and obtaining an EIN.

• Treat your Articles of Organization like your LLC’s birth certificate and your EIN as its Social Security number.

• Keep personal and business funds separate — open a dedicated business bank account.

• Stay compliant with annual (or bi-annual) state renewals and any required franchise, excise, or withholding tax filings.

• Avoid over-structuring — multiple LLCs create unnecessary admin and costs if not justified by risk.

Notable Quotes

• “An LLC is a legal entity, not a tax-saving machine.” – Chris Picciurro

• “The name doesn’t matter — the purpose does.” – John Tripolsky

• “Think of your Articles of Organization as your birth certificate.” – Chris Picciurro

• “It’s easy to form one; maintaining compliance is where people fall short.” – John Tripolsky

• “Ideas are cheap. Implementation is valuable.” – Chris Picciurro

Resources

• Wealth Builders Mortgage Group (Sponsor): wealthbuildersmortgagegroup.com

• Teaching Tax Flow Hub: teachingtaxflow.com/hub

• Join the Defeating Taxes Facebook Community: defeatingtaxes.com

• (00:00) - Exploring LLC Formation and Investor-Focused Mortgage Strategies

In this episode of the Teaching Tax Flow Podcast, hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA, and John Tripolsky welcome Marit Burmood, CPA & EA, to discuss actionable strategies for business owners as the year winds down. From vehicle deductions to timing income and expenses, this episode cuts through online tax myths to deliver real-world guidance on maximizing deductions before year-end.

Marit shares practical insight from years of hands-on experience helping business owners implement proactive tax plans—emphasizing organization, accurate bookkeeping, and collaboration with your tax professional. Together, the trio highlight how cash-basis timing, depreciation, reimbursable plans, and entity structure play critical roles in shaping your 4th-quarter tax outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Get your books in order — profit & loss, balance sheet, payroll, and distributions must be accurate before planning.
 • Understand that a deduction ≠ a tax-free purchase. A $100K vehicle deduction doesn’t eliminate $100K in taxes.
 • Avoid depreciation traps — bonus depreciation and vehicle write-offs can cause painful recapture if sold too soon.
 • Use the cash-basis “twelve-month rule” to prepay eligible expenses or defer income strategically.
 • Set up an accountable plan for home-office, mileage, and reimbursements before year-end.
 • Track all subcontractor payments and W-9s now—don’t scramble during 1099 season.
 • Above all: buy only what you need—don’t let the tax tail wag the dog.

Notable Quotes

• “Buying a vehicle might be good, but it’s not a tax plan.” – Chris Picciurro
 • “A $100K deduction doesn’t mean you’re saving $100K in taxes.” – Marit Burmood
 • “Cash flow and tax flow are different.” – Chris Picciurro
 • “Don’t buy it if you don’t need it—be logical, not emotional.” – Marit Burmood

Resources

• Teaching Tax Flow Website
• Defeating Taxes Community

Episode Sponsor:
Legacy Lock
Book a 30-minute complimentary discovery session at teachingtaxflow.com/legacy
(Mention Teaching Tax Flow for special pricing)

• (03:09) - Entrepreneurial Tax Strategies for Business Owners in October

In this episode of the Teaching Tax Flow podcast, hosts Chris Picciurro and John Tripolsky dig into the newly released 2024 IRS Data Book. With 94 pages of charts, stats, and enforcement trends condensed into an engaging discussion, this episode reveals how the IRS operates and what taxpayers should know.

From audit rates to revenue collection, Chris and John provide context for business owners, individuals, and tax professionals on how these insights can influence financial and tax planning. They also share practical stories, analogies, and analysis that make the data approachable and useful.

Key Takeaways:

• Less than 0.38% of individual tax returns are audited annually.
• 54.2% of all federal tax revenue comes from individual income tax.
• IRS audit rates are higher for lower-income taxpayers claiming refundable credits.
• Partnerships and multi-member LLCs face remarkably low audit risks.
• AI and analytics are transforming how the IRS monitors compliance.

Notable Quotes:

• “Tax agencies are your involuntary business partner. Don’t you want to know what your business partner is up to?” – Chris Picciurro
• “When you get audited by the IRS, usually what happens is you just got pulled over going five miles over the speed limit in a car.”  – Chris Picciurro
• “93% of tax returns are filed electronically.”  – Chris Picciurro

Resources:

• Teaching Tax Flow Website
• DefeatingTaxes.com
• 2024 IRS Data Book (Publication 55B)

Episode Sponsor:
REPStracker

www.repstracker.com/affiliate/teachingtaxflow (CODE: IFG)

• (00:01) - Exploring the 2024 IRS Data Book and Tax Planning Insights