MMoneyVibe Tools
7Build my map7 numbers · 60sSign inYour Money Map
THE LIBRARY · PROTECTTax shelf

Tax

How tax works for you, the deductions and credits that apply, and the strategies that compound.

Three books, read in order: the foundations, then the strategies, then a deep dive. Each chapter works its numbers out with the calculators and cites its sources.

Volumes3
Chapters23
Reading time2.2 h
Calculators8
READ IN THIS ORDERFoundations → Strategies → Deep dive
01
VOL 1 · FOUNDATIONSTax Planning Fundamentals7 chapters · 39 min
  1. 01How Tax Brackets Really Work
  2. 02Choosing the Right Filing Status
  3. 03How Each Type of Income Is Taxed
  4. 04Deductions, Credits and a Yearly Tax Check-Up
  5. 05Taxes on Side Income and Multiple Income Streams
  6. 06Withholding and Quarterly Estimated Taxes
  7. 07State and Federal Taxes: How the Two Layers Fit
02
VOL 2 · STRATEGIESTax Deductions & Credits Mastery8 chapters · 49 min
  1. 01Standard Deduction or Itemizing
  2. 02Giving to Charity Tax-Efficiently
  3. 03Tax Credits Worth Claiming
  4. 04Business Expense Deductions for the Self-Employed
  5. 05The Home Office Deduction
  6. 06Deferring Tax: Retirement Plans, HSAs, Gains and Real Estate
  7. 07Business Structure, the QBI Deduction and Timing Income
  8. 08Estate and Gift Tax, and What Heirs Pay
03
VOL 3 · DEEP DIVEAdvanced Tax Strategies8 chapters · 44 min
  1. 01How Taxes Shrink Investment Returns
  2. 02Filling Tax-Advantaged Accounts in the Right Order
  3. 03Tax-Efficient Funds and Asset Location
  4. 04Tax-Loss Harvesting and the Year-End Playbook
  5. 05Giving to Charity Tax-Efficiently
  6. 06Tax Planning for Life Changes
  7. 07Passing On Wealth Tax-Efficiently
  8. 08A Year-Round Tax Calendar
CALCULATORS FOR THIS SHELF
HSA as stealth retirement account →How much does my HSA save in tax and what could it grow to by 65?Backdoor Roth →How much tax will a backdoor Roth cost under pro-rata?0% capital gains harvesting →How much tax if I sell, and how much gain can I realize at 0%?Mega backdoor Roth room →How much can I put into a mega backdoor Roth?State income tax comparison →How much state tax would I save by moving?Quarterly estimated tax & safe harbor →How much estimated tax per quarter to avoid a penalty?Standard vs itemized →Should I itemize or take the standard deduction?Tax bracket calculator →What federal tax do I owe and what are my marginal/effective rates?
TERMS ON THIS SHELF
Estimated tax paymentsSelf-employment taxDigital asset (estate planning)Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA)Legacy contactStep-up in basisLetter of instructionBeneficiary designationVoidable transferHomestead exemptionTenancy by the entiretyCharging orderDomestic asset protection trustBuy-sell agreementGrantor retained annuity trustProbateRevocable living trustEstate tax exemptionAnnual gift tax exclusionPortabilityCharitable remainder trustHealth Savings Account (HSA)Health flexible spending account (FSA)IRMAA (income-related monthly adjustment amount)Tax-equivalent yieldFICA taxMarginal tax rateEmployer matchTax withholdingTax-loss harvesting529 planQualified business income (QBI) deductionHome office deductionHobby or businessOrdinary and necessary business expenseEffective tax rateStandard deductionFiling statusTax creditLong-term capital gains rateEstimated tax safe harborRefundable tax creditDonor-advised fundWash sale ruleQualified charitable distributionQualified domestic trust (QDOT)US-situated assets (estate tax)Domicile (estate tax)