How To Read Your Tax Return

How To Read Your Tax Return

A 2026 Comprehensive Guide

2026 How to Read Your Tax Return CONNECT WITH AN ADVISOR I’m looking for a financial planner. How do I begin?

We begin every relationship with an introductory phone call or virtual meeting to explore mutual fit, answer your questions and discuss your financial goals. Following this initial call, we’ll conduct several in-depth meetings, either in personal or virtually, during which we set up your customized financial planning website, review your current statements and tax returns and prepare a comprehensive financial plan.

We would then work with you on an ongoing basis as this plan is implemented, making adjustments as needed based on changes in your family situation, changes in the tax code and estate laws, and more.

Give us a call and we’ll schedule an introductory meeting. We are here to help provide peace of mind for you and your future generations.

How is Shakespeare different from other advisors?

Our advisors are all CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ and have a deep technical knowledge of the tax and estate laws to cater to our high-net-worth clients. We differentiate ourselves through our proactive, relationship-focused approach, ensuring your financial plan is continuously aligned with your goals through meticulous monitoring and timely implementation of necessary adjustments.

Shakespeare combines technical knowledge with ongoing advice and the ability to invest your assets in a manner that meets your specific needs.

What are your fees?

We are a Fee-Only firm, which means we do not accept any form of commission. This creates a higher level of transparency and eliminates the conflicts of interest present with many financial advisors. Our ongoing fee is determined during your initial meeting with Shakespeare and is based on the level of complexity in your financial situation and breadth of services required. We charge an asset management fee comparable to most advisors and mutual funds but provide significantly more value to our clients. Our fees range between 0.50% and 1.0%.

What is the difference between Fee-Only Financial Advisors and Fee-Based Advisors?

‘Fee-Only’ advisors like Shakespeare earn solely from the transparent, agreed upon client fee set during your initial meeting. A ‘Fee-Based’ advisor is able to charge an advisory fee to manage assets, but also has the ability to sell you financial products that pay commissions (annuities and insurance products). This creates conflicts of interest, with the advisor having the ability to earn higher compensation if they steer you into certain products.

To verify an advisor’s status, check if their website or business cards includes terms related to securities sales or broker-dealer affiliations, such as SIPC and FINRA, followed by legal disclaimers. As a Fee-Only firm, we are registered only with the SEC, focused exclusively on your best interest.

Is Shakespeare a Fiduciary?

Yes, Shakespeare always operates as a Fiduciary. We are committed and legally obligated to prioritize your interests above all else. If you’ve never worked with a fiduciary advisor, now is the time to experience the difference.

We do not sell any financial products. Given our deep understanding of your financial situation, we provide advice based on your needs and goals. We will then work with professionals such as insurance agents and attorneys alongside you to ensure you get the right product at the right price. Having Shakespeare properly quantify your needs, and then serve as your advocate ensures you get the best results.

Why is ongoing financial planning important?

The world is rapidly changing. If you are not actively monitoring your financial plan and making adjustments, you will not achieve optimal results. Clients experience changes to tax laws, estate laws, employment, income, family situations, health, and more. You need an adviser who will make necessary adjustments to your plan as things change.

What if I don’t want ongoing advice?

Our experience shows the best financial outcomes result from ongoing relationships. Constant updates in laws and personal circumstances make one-time plans less effective over time. Therefore, we focus on establishing long-term partnerships with our clients to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of financial strategies.

What are your minimums?

Shakespeare serves high-net-worth individuals with a minimum of $1 million to invest.

This minimum includes:

Cash, checking and savings accounts
CDs and money market accounts
Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
Retirement accounts and trusts

*Property and physical assets like your home, vehicles, real estate investment properties, art, jewelry or collectibles are not considered liquid or near-liquid investable assets.

What types of clients do you work with?

Our clients have several commonalities, including:

A more complex financial situation relative to the average investor.
Several moving parts to a financial plan, including multiple retirement accounts, investment accounts, real estate investments, second homes, businesses, LLC investments, complex family dynamics and more.
You have saved consistently throughout your life; and your asset levels now require the guidance of a more sophisticated advisor.
You are preparing for retirement, needing help navigating Social Security, Medicare, 401k Rollovers, Pension distributions, tax planning, etc.
You may be experiencing life transitions, such as loss of a loved one, divorce, widowed, business sale, retirement, career change, and more.
Your number one asset is your family, and you have a strong desire to provide contingency planning for them. You want to make sure to have a trusted advisor in place to help manage the family’s finances before a sickness or death occurs.

Do you manage money?

Yes, our investment management is customized to best meet the needs identified in your financial plan. Our process is built on academic research and is continuously monitored by our team of advisors. We have taken the guesswork out of the investment process and instead rely on trusted disciplines to add value. We build and manage portfolios based on your real-world needs, such as income replacement and risk management. We have software to help us implement and monitor your portfolio to keep you moving forward.

Do you work with clients out of state?

Yes, we have clients located throughout the country. Based on our sophisticated financial planning software that allows for easy collaboration, we are able to offer our services remotely without compromising the quality and responsiveness of our engagement.

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