ACap ReCap: Financial and Tax Tips

Ara Oghoorian
  • 5.0 (7)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

ACap Advisors & Accountants is a boutique fee-only Wealth Management and full-service Accounting firm based in Los Angeles. We handle everything from taxes to investments to risk management and estate planning, providing comprehensive, unbiased financial advice in one location. In our ACap ReCap episodes, we discuss the latest financial news, answer the frequently received financial questions, and share financial tips with you. If you have questions or suggestions email us hello@acapam.com Find more details at https://www.acapam.com/ #financialadvisor #fiduciaryfinancialadvisor​ #finance #financial #money #wealthmanagement #assetmanagement #investment #tax #taxplanning

  1. FEB 18

    RSUs Explained: Vesting, Taxes, and Smart Strategies for High-Income Professionals

    Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) can be a powerful wealth-building tool — or a tax headache if mismanaged. In this episode, we break down exactly how RSUs work, when you can sell them, how they’re taxed, and the key decisions high-income professionals need to make after vesting. You’ll learn: What RSUs actually are (and what “vesting” really means)When you can sell your shares — and whether you shouldThe difference between income tax and capital gains tax on RSUsHow short-term vs. long-term capital gains impact your returnWhy concentration risk can quietly destroy your portfolioHow cash flow needs and tax-loss harvesting strategies factor inWe also address one of the biggest misconceptions: Are RSUs double taxed? (Short answer: no — but there are two tax components you must understand.) If you’re receiving equity compensation or planning around company stock, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter, forward-thinking decisions with your RSUs. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    7 min

  2. FEB 11

    Roth IRA Income Limits Explained: AGI vs. Modified AGI and Why It Matters

    Why can’t I contribute to a Roth IRA if I make too much? The answer almost always comes down to one thing — Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). In this episode, we break down the difference between Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) — two terms that sound similar but have very different impacts on your financial life. You’ll learn: How AGI is calculated directly from your tax returnWhat income counts (W-2 wages, capital gains, rental income, RSUs, Social Security, business income, and more)Which deductions reduce your AGI (HSA contributions, SEP/SIMPLE IRA, self-employed health insurance, student loan interest, etc.)Why itemized deductions and the standard deduction do NOT affect AGIHow MAGI is calculated by adding certain items back to AGIWhy MAGI determines eligibility for Roth IRA contributions, premium tax credits, education credits, child tax credits, and income-based student loan repaymentWe also explain why lenders care about AGI — and why taxpayers often misunderstand what actually lowers it. If you’ve ever been told your income is “too high” for a Roth IRA contribution, this episode will make it clear why — and what that really means for your tax planning strategy. This is core tax planning knowledge. And if you earn a strong income, it’s not optional. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    25 sec

  3. FEB 4

    Backdoor Roth IRA: How High Earners Can Still Contribute

    Think your income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA? You’re not alone — and you’re not out of options. In this episode, Ara breaks down how the Backdoor Roth IRA works and why many high earners can still contribute even after they’ve lost direct Roth access. You’ll learn: Why Roth IRA income limits existHow the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy works in practiceThe key tax rule you must follow to avoid mistakesWhy Roth IRAs can still play an important role in retirement planningThis strategy isn’t a workaround or a trick — it’s written into the tax code. But it must be done correctly to avoid tax issues. If you’re a high earner trying to make smart retirement and tax decisions, this episode will help you understand whether a Backdoor Roth IRA may fit your situation. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    3 min

  4. FEB 2

    5 Strategies to Lower Your Tax Bill

    Most people overpay in taxes—not because they earn too much, but because they don’t plan. In this episode, CPA and wealth manager Ara breaks down five practical tax strategies that can help reduce your tax bill by using the tax code the way it was intended. These aren’t loopholes or shortcuts—just smart planning concepts that many taxpayers overlook. You’ll learn: How tax loss harvesting works and when it makes senseWhy holding investments long enough can dramatically reduce taxesThe importance of diversifying across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accountsHow borrowing against a portfolio can provide access to cash without triggering taxesWhy step-up in basis is a critical estate planning conceptSome of these strategies may apply to you, others may not—but understanding your options is the first step to better tax planning. If you want to know which strategies actually fit your situation, talk with a qualified financial advisor or CPA before making changes. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    4 min

  5. JAN 7

    1099 Mistakes That Cost Business Owners Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)

    Every January, 1099 forms trip up business owners—and the mistakes aren’t harmless. File late, use the wrong form, or skip filing altogether, and the IRS penalties can get brutal fast. In this episode, we break down exactly what a 1099 is, who must receive one, and when you’re required to file. You’ll learn the difference between a 1099-NEC and a 1099-MISC, the $600 threshold that actually matters, and why corporations aren’t always exempt. We also cover the most common (and costly) mistakes business owners make, including failing to collect W-9s and misunderstanding deadlines. If you’re a business owner, freelancer, or advisor who wants to avoid unnecessary IRS penalties—and keep your compliance tight—this is required listening. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    6 min

  6. 12/24/2025

    From Brokerage to Big Rigs: Tristan Bordalo on Building Sellable Businesses, an Entrepreneur's Guide

    In this episode, Ara sits down with serial entrepreneur Tristan Bordallo to break down what entrepreneurship actually looks like after the Instagram quotes fade away. Tristan shares his 22-year journey—from getting laid off, to bootstrapping a trucking brokerage, to buying six-figure trucks he didn’t even know how to drive. They dig into the real mechanics of building a business that lasts: choosing the right entity, why operating agreements matter more than optimism, how partnerships can implode if you’re careless, and why most founders never build something sellable. Tristan also pulls back the curtain on hiring employees, letting go of control, managing cash flow, surviving audits, and operating in one of the most regulated industries in the country. This is a straight-talk conversation about money, risk, regulation, and why loving the work—not chasing quick cash—is the only way to survive entrepreneurship long term. If you’re building (or thinking about building) a business, this episode will recalibrate your expectations fast. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    48 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    7 Smart Money Moves to Make Before December 31 to Cut Taxes and Boost Your Investment Strategy

    Before the year is over, there are still real, actionable steps you can take to reduce your tax bill and tighten up your investment plan—but once January hits, those opportunities disappear for good. In this episode, we break down 7 critical money moves you should consider before December 31, including 401(k) contribution strategies (and what’s new for 2025), tax-loss harvesting, required minimum distributions, FSA deadlines, charitable giving tactics, business compliance items, and year-end equipment purchases that can accelerate deductions. This isn’t theory. It’s a practical, no-nonsense walkthrough of what actually matters at year-end—and where people leave money on the table by waiting too long. If you want to be more intentional with your money, minimize taxes, and avoid costly mistakes before the calendar flips, this episode is your checklist. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    8 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    How a 7-Figure Content Creator Can Save Over $100K in Taxes

    In this case-study episode, Ara and Matt pull back the curtain on a real client scenario (names changed) featuring Jasmine, a 7-figure online content creator, and her husband George, a W-2 employee at a large company. Together, they walk step-by-step through how they take a chaotic, high-tax situation and turn it into a coordinated, long-term tax and retirement plan. You’ll hear exactly why Jasmine’s single-member LLC structure is costing her tens of thousands in unnecessary payroll taxes, and how a simple S corporation election could save her over $75,000 per year. Ara and Matt also break down why the “buy rental real estate to lower your taxes” advice doesn’t work for high-income earners like Jasmine and George, and what to do instead. In this episode, they cover: Why a high-earning content creator should consider switching from single-member LLC to S corpHow S corp reasonable compensation works and where the real payroll tax savings come fromThe difference between passive rental real estate losses and active income—and why high earners don’t get the deduction they think they’re gettingWhen a Solo 401(k) (a.k.a. Individual 401(k)) beats a SEP IRA, and how to stack employee deferrals + employer contributionsHow the backdoor Roth IRA works—and how existing IRAs can quietly blow it upUsing a Solo 401(k) rollover to unlock the backdoor Roth strategyThe cash balance pension plan: a “401(k) on steroids” for very high-income yearsWhy owner-occupied commercial real estate is a completely different animal from rental property for tax strategyIf you’re a high-income professional or business owner (especially in a high-tax state like California) and feel like you’re flying blind with taxes and retirement, this walkthrough shows you how a coordinated plan can realistically create six-figure annual tax savings while rapidly building long-term wealth. www.acapam.com ACap's Financial Quick Tips

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

ACap Advisors & Accountants is a boutique fee-only Wealth Management and full-service Accounting firm based in Los Angeles. We handle everything from taxes to investments to risk management and estate planning, providing comprehensive, unbiased financial advice in one location. In our ACap ReCap episodes, we discuss the latest financial news, answer the frequently received financial questions, and share financial tips with you. If you have questions or suggestions email us hello@acapam.com Find more details at https://www.acapam.com/ #financialadvisor #fiduciaryfinancialadvisor​ #finance #financial #money #wealthmanagement #assetmanagement #investment #tax #taxplanning

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