Shelters Can Collapse. Structures Create Stability.

You’ve done the work. You’ve built something real—success, security, a life filled with intention. But the higher you build, the more pressure there is to protect it.

And that’s where many people get it wrong.

They look for shelters—temporary shields, reactive moves, quick fixes at tax time. But shelters can crack. They can be exposed, challenged, or fail under the weight of poor design or last-minute planning.

What you need instead is a structure—something built intentionally, strategically, and aligned with your long-term goals.

At Finley Davis, we don’t just help clients find tax advantages—we help them build tax strategies that can support their entire financial foundation. Through collaboration with CPAs, estate attorneys, and our internal planning team, we design solutions that are both sophisticated and sound.

Because it’s not just about lowering taxes. It’s about creating something that lasts.

Not All Tax Planning Is Created Equal

The term “tax shelter” often brings to mind aggressive or even questionable tactics. But legitimate tax strategies—when structured properly—are entirely legal and often encouraged through the tax code.

The difference lies in the intention and the design.

A strategic tax structure is:

• Built to align with your long-term financial and estate goals
• Designed with legal compliance at every step
• Created to provide stability, not just savings
• Implemented as part of a broader financial framework

Let’s look at a few of the structures we use to help clients reduce risk and preserve more of what they’ve earned.

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs): A Giving-Driven Structure That Pays You Back

A Charitable Remainder Trust is a powerful tax-efficient giving vehicle that allows you to:

• Sell appreciated assets without immediate capital gains tax
• Receive a stream of income for life or a fixed term
• Receive an upfront charitable deduction
• Direct the remainder to a charitable organization of your choice

This structure can be especially beneficial for individuals with highly appreciated real estate or concentrated stock positions. It provides a path to unlock value today, while supporting causes that matter to you in the future.

CRTs offer more than a tax break—they offer a flexible framework for giving with impact.

Installment Sale to an IDGT: Structure for Shifting Wealth Without Giving It All Away

An Installment Sale to an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT) is one of the most sophisticated estate planning structures available.

Here’s what it can do:

• “Freeze” the value of your estate by locking in the current asset value
• Allow appreciation to pass tax-free to your heirs
• Avoid gift taxes on large transfers of appreciating assets
• Keep income tax responsibility with you, reducing future estate size

This strategy is especially helpful for business owners planning a sale or families with fast-growing assets.

Use a Family Limited Partnership (FLP) as a Strategic Structure

A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) is a proven, flexible structure that allows high-net-worth families to:

• Centralize control of family assets
• Transfer wealth to the next generation at discounted values
• Protect assets from creditors and divorce
• Reduce potential estate tax liability through valuation discounts

Here’s how it works: Parents (or founders) create a partnership and retain control as general partners. They then gift or sell limited partnership interests to children or trusts.Because these limited interests have no voting rights or marketability, they’re often eligible for valuation discounts—reducing the taxable value of the estate.

An FLP is especially useful for:

• Families with real estate, marketable securities, or business holdings
• Clients wanting to retain control while transitioning ownership
• Those seeking a structured, long-term wealth transfer plan

When paired with proper legal and estate planning, an FLP can be a cornerstone of your legacy-building strategy—and far less aggressive than many insurance-based or offshore approaches.

Who Should Consider Strategic Tax Structures?

These aren’t off-the-shelf solutions. They’re custom-built structures designed for clients with unique goals and complex financial lives.

You might benefit if you:

• Have a net worth of $5 million or more
• Are preparing to sell a business or real estate asset
• Want to fund a legacy or philanthropic vision
• Need to reduce estate tax exposure
• Have ongoing income from a closely held business or investment portfolio

The best results come when planning starts early—and when it’s led by a team that sees the full picture.

Why Timing and Collaboration Matter

Strategic structures take time. These aren’t last-minute ideas or tax-season scrambles. They require:

• Detailed financial modeling
• Legal documentation
• Coordination between your financial advisor, CPA, and attorney
• A clear understanding of your vision for the future

That’s why Finley Davis acts as the hub for your entire advisory team. We don’t just make recommendations—we build structures that work, because we understand what’s at stake.

Strong Structures Withstand the Test of Time

Temporary shelters may provide relief—but real protection comes from well-designed structures. They offer clarity, control, and continuity in a world full of shifting regulations and rising complexity.

If you’re ready to stop reacting to taxes and start building your wealth with purpose, it may be time to explore how strategic tax structures can support your long-term goals.

Smart tax planning isn’t about hiding wealth—it’s about structuring it wisely. Let’s explore whether a strategic tax structure fits into your financial plan.

Contact us today.

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