Do you work with high-income individuals earning $400k or more per year?

Yes. We typically serve households with gross income between $200k and $2 million or more. At this income level, tax outcomes are driven by timing, structure, and coordination, not basic deductions. Many of our clients are physicians, executives, partners, and business owners. We are not a volume tax-prep firm.

Why do high earners still owe large tax balances even with withholding?

Payroll withholding is rarely calibrated for interest, dividends, capital gains, K-1s, real estate income, or retirement distributions. At higher income levels, surtaxes and phaseouts accelerate faster than withholding tables adjust. Multi-year strategic tax planning updated semi-annually is essential for avoiding year-end surprises.

How is your work different from a traditional CPA relationship?

Traditional CPA relationships are transactional and retrospective, centered on preparing returns after the fact. Our approach is advisory and forward-looking, using projections, scenario analysis, and decision frameworks throughout the year. Filing becomes an outcome of good planning, not the service itself.

What types of clients do you serve?

We serve high-income individuals, physicians and healthcare professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and private practices throughout California and the Pacific Northwest who are serious about minimizing taxes and planning for their financial future.

Professionals & High-Income Earners

Architect a Strategy. File with Precision. Live Your Best Life.

Servng Clients in La Jolla, Greater San Diego and California

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Services for
Individuals & High-Income Earners

ADVANCED
TAX PLANNING

Federal and State Tax Projections, Scenario Analysis and the Design of a Multi-Year Tax Strategy and Plan
Coordination of Multiple Income Streams
Avoiding or Minimizing AMT
Managing MAGI phase-out limits
Tax Planning Strategies for Equity Comp - ISOs, RSUs & Restricted Stock
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) Minimization
K-Is & complex investment planning
Real estate rental tax planning
DAFs & Contribution Strategies
Roth Conversion Analysis
Marriages
Career Changes
California Exit Planning

TAX
PREPARATION

Individuals
Trust and Estates
Gift Tax
Business Tax returns

FBAR Filings
Amended Tax Returns
Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments
Quarterly Tax Management

ADVISORY
SERVICES

Early Career Financial Planning
Financial Planning for Growing Families
Financial Planning for Mid-Career Professionals
Financial Planning Near Retirement
Post-Retirement Financial Planning
Quarterbacking Relationships with Wealth Advisors, Attorneys & Real estate Professionals
Estate & Legacy Planning

If you are like many high-income earners in California, you work for a company that strategically plans and executes intentional decisions to achieve stretch goals and financial performance indicative of success. As the CEO or co-CEO of your household, so should you.

Too many professionals limit strategic planning, scenario analysis and intentional decision-making to those that meet and exceed professional performance benchmarks that earn them impressive promotions, bonuses and, for many, equity awards year-over-year, however when it comes to personal decisions, firm-yet-flexible multi-year strategic tax planning and scenario analysis, quarterly tax management and quarterly projection refinement, and the seamless preparation of their tax returns capturing the deductions, credits and tax savings opportunities planned for, earned and deserved is out-of-sight and out-of- mind.

If fact, many high-income earners with evolving financial structures with increasing complexity and tax implications that come to us have found themselves making spontaneous and uncoordinated financial decisions throughout the year, close the year without a clue of how well they managed their personal financials other than their investment accounts and bank account balance, and "hope" they will not be receiving another expensive year end surprise in April. Why?

Because they have been working with a "tax preparer" instead of a CPA who is skilled in operating as a tax strategist who is as passionate about the tax outcomes clients achieve and the fulfillment of their tax minimization goals each year as they are about ensuring clients receive tax returns prepared in full compliance with tax laws capturing all of the deductions, credits and tax savings opportunities planned for and deserved.

If you have been working with a large firm or medium sized firm and aren't receiving the personalized service you deserve, the advice you need and the fees are too high, or you are working with a small firm that you have outgrown, reach out to get our conversation started.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do two households earning the same income pay very different taxes?

The type of income you are earning matters. For example, individuals with high W-2, interest and dividends income have a materially differenttax structure than individuals with the same level of income earned from self-employment income, qualified dividends, K-1s from a passive activity, real estate and capital gains capital gains.

What is the Net Investment Income Tax and additional Medicare Tax and Can They Be Avoided?

These surtaxes apply on top of federal and California tax once income crosses thresholds. They increase marginal rates without looking like a traditional bracket. Many households underestimate their impact. A well-architected tax strategy will assist you minimize taxes on income, NIIT, self-employment and other taxes.

When Should I Consider a Roth Conversion Strategy?

Roth conversions are a tax‑rate arbitrage decision. When future tax rates are expected to be higher than today’s effective rate, Roth conversions can lower lifetime taxes. But if the timing is wrong—meaning your current effective rate is not actually lower—you can accidentally increase taxes and trigger IRMAA/Medicare surcharges.

Roth Conversions should be a component in a well-defined multi-year tax strategy - and not performed as an isolated event.

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Natalie C. Papagni, CPA

Tax, Planning & Advisory Services

4275 Executive Square Suite 200

La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 754-8277

service@lajollataxcpa.com

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NATALIE C. PAPAGNI, CPA - TAX, PLANNING & ADVISORY SERVICES