Does this sound familiar? It’s that time of year again. The mailbox starts filling up with envelopes marked “Important Tax Document Enclosed.” You start a frantic search for receipts, log into a dozen different accounts to download statements, and feel a growing sense of unease.
All kinds of questions come up. Did you sell any stock this year? What does that mean for your tax bill? Are you contributing enough to your retirement accounts? Are you missing out on deductions that could be saving you money?
For most of us, tax season is a stressful, reactive scramble. It’s a once-a-year chore where we look backward, trying to make sense of the past 12 months. But what if it could be different? What if your tax return wasn’t just a report card on the past, but a key part of the roadmap for your future?
The truth is, how you manage your taxes is one more financial tool you can work in your favor. But to use it effectively, you have to use it year-round. Not just in April. Smart moves over the course of the year can make a difference on the bottom line of your 1040. That’s why those guiding your financial journey should also be the ones guiding you through tax season.
The problem with the old way: A disconnected system
Traditionally, you’ve had three options when it comes to filing your taxes. Each one comes with a fundamental flaw: it doesn’t factor in your financial big picture.
- DIY software (the do-it-yourself approach) Doing your taxes yourself can feel empowering, and for simple returns, it can be a great option. But as your life gets more complex—you start investing, have a side gig, or own a home—the risk of making a mistake or missing a deduction grows. The software is a powerful calculator, but it can’t give you advice. It doesn’t know you want to retire early or that you’re saving for a down payment. It’s a tool for reporting what happened, not a guide for making smarter decisions in the future.
- Retail chains & local preparers (the transactional approach) Going to a local tax preparer can provide peace of mind that a pro is looking over your documents. The relationship, however, is often transactional. You drop off your papers once a year, they fill out the forms, and that’s it. They have a limited view of your overall financial picture and aren’t equipped to advise you on how your tax situation fits into your bigger goals. The quality of advice can also be inconsistent, leaving you wondering if you got the best possible outcome.
- Hiring a separate CPA (the siloed approach) Working with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) gives you access to the highest level of expertise. But even a great CPA is often working in a silo. They see one piece of your financial puzzle, while your financial planner sees another. This creates communication gaps where opportunities are lost. Is your planner’s investment strategy aligned with your CPA’s tax-saving recommendations? When they aren’t on the same team, it’s up to you to be the go-between, a role that can be stressful and inefficient.
A better way: Handling your taxes as part of your finances
Your tax return is more than a legal requirement; it’s a reflection of your life. It shows your income, your investments, your charitable giving, and your major life events. So without a doubt, your tax strategy and overall financial strategy are one in the same.
When your financial advisor has a complete view of your tax situation, they can help you make proactive choices throughout the year, not just reactive ones when you file. That way, you’re not just filing a return, you’re executing a key part of your long-term financial strategy.
When you look at your taxes that way, you and your advisor can answer big questions like:
- How can you save smarter for retirement? Decide if a Roth conversion is the right move for you and see how maximizing contributions to your 401(k) can lower your taxable income.
- What’s the best way to handle stock options or a bonus? Build a strategy that aligns with your goals while minimizing the tax bite.
- How do big life changes affect your taxes? Life events like getting married, having a child, or buying a home all have significant tax implications. Integrate those changes into your roadmap to account for them so there are no surprises when you file.
In all, it’s always tax time. Not just in April. When your financial roadmap and your tax strategy are all lined up, you can make smart moves that make the most of your money.
Facet’s tax offering: Your financial planning and your taxes, all handled together
For years, our members have told us that taxes are one of their biggest sources of financial stress and uncertainty. In fact, tax preparation and filing has been the number one most requested service from our members. We listened.
Now, through a partnership with April Tax Solutions, Facet offers two simple ways to get your taxes done, all as part of your financial roadmap.
Tax filing by an expert:
- Best for: The "Delegator" who wants an expert to handle the entire process, the time-conscious professional, or anyone with a complex tax situation.
- What you get: A certified tax professional will prepare and file your federal and state tax returns from start to finish. It's our premium offering, included in our Complete membership, and comes with Maximum Refund and Accuracy guarantees*.
Online filing, tax-expert reviewed:
- Best for: The "Confident but Cautious Filer" who likes to be in control but wants an expert safety net. It’s perfect for those who are comfortable preparing their own taxes but want the reassurance that a professional has double-checked their work.
- What you get: Easy tax filing. You handle everything from your dashboard, where we download your Facet investment data to save time and reduce errors. Before you file, a certified tax professional will review your return to check for accuracy. This service is included in our Plus membership.
How it works: Making tax time simple
We designed our tax experience to be seamless and simple. We turn a process that’s often frustrating into one that feels effortless and empowering.
For tax filing by an expert:
- Upload your documents. You’ll securely upload your tax documents to our easy-to-use Facet dashboard.
- Meet your certified tax professional (optional). You can schedule a 1-on-1 call to discuss your tax situation and strategy.
- Your certified tax professional prepares your return. Your dedicated expert gets to work, ensuring every detail is optimized.
- Review and file. Once you give the final approval, your return gets filed on your behalf with the IRS.
For online filing, tax-expert reviewed:
- Prepare your return. Use intuitive, step-by-step software to prepare your taxes whenever it’s convenient for you.
- Submit for review. Once you’re done, you’ll submit your return through the Facet dashboard.
- A certified tax professional reviews. A certified tax professional reviews your return and provides feedback or adjustments.
- File with confidence. With an expert’s stamp of approval, you can file your return with total confidence.
The Facet difference: More than tax prep, it’s tax planning
At Facet, our purpose is to enable you to enrich your life beyond expectation. A big part of that is removing the financial stress and complexity that can stand in your way. Taxes are often a big hurdle.
By looking at your taxes as part of your financial roadmap, we’re doing more than just helping you file a return. We’re giving you a clearer picture of your financial life, uncovering opportunities you might have missed, and replacing anxiety with confidence. With this kind of planning, your taxes work to your advantage–rather than feel like a burden.
The life you want starts now. Let’s make tax season a time when you stop just reporting on the past and start building a more confident road to your future.
Ready to see how an integrated tax strategy can change your financial picture? Schedule a call to talk with one of our Membership Managers.
*Tax preparation and filing is completed through April Tax Solutions, Inc. (“April”). The Maximum Refund and 100% Accuracy guarantees are offered through April and not Facet, and only eligible for Facet members in the Complete tier. April’s terms and conditions for those guarantees will apply.
April’s Maximum Refund Guarantee
Maximum refund guarantee is provided by April. If you use April’s service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws.
April’s Accuracy Guarantees
If April’s tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, April will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000.
