Financial advisors who specialize in business owner finance.
Entity structure, retirement plans that fit your business, QSBS, exit planning, succession — matched with advisors who work at the intersection of financial, tax, and legal advice.
Business owner planning isn't generalist planning
You have 50-90% of your net worth tied up in an illiquid business. Your "income" is a moving mix of W-2 and distributions. You have access to retirement plans most employees don't (Solo 401(k), Cash Balance, Defined Benefit). You face tax rules that don't apply to W-2 workers (Section 199A, reasonable comp, accountable plan). And someday you'll want to exit — which requires 5-10 years of planning to maximize.
- Entity structure. S-corp vs LLC vs C-corp has major tax implications. QSBS (Section 1202) on C-corp stock can exempt up to $15M of gain from federal tax (post-OBBBA, stock issued after July 4, 2025; 10x basis cap applies).
- Retirement plan stacking. A 50-year-old business owner can contribute $250-400K/yr tax-deferred with Solo 401(k) + Cash Balance + Defined Benefit combinations.
- Reasonable compensation. S-corp owners can split income between W-2 (subject to FICA) and distributions (not). Getting the split right saves thousands; getting it wrong triggers IRS reclassification.
- Section 199A QBI deduction. 20% deduction on pass-through business income. Phases out starting at $403,500 MFJ for "specified service" businesses (2026, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32).
- Exit planning. Installment sales, ESOPs, corporate acquisitions, family succession — each has different tax profiles. Specialist knows the best fit for your situation.
- Key-person and buy-sell insurance. Protects your family if something happens to you; funds your partner buying you out.
Tools & guides
Section 199A QBI Deduction Calculator
Estimate your 2026 QBI deduction — handles SSTB phaseout, W-2 wage limitation, and OBBBA changes. Know how much the 20% pass-through deduction is worth to you.
Retirement Plan Calculator
Compare Solo 401(k) vs SEP-IRA vs Cash Balance Plan — see your maximum tax-deferred contribution based on income and age.
Business Exit Value Calculator
Estimate what your business is worth using EBITDA multiples by industry + project after-tax proceeds.
Installment Sale Tax Calculator (§453)
Model selling your business on an installment note vs all cash. See year-by-year capital gain recognition, bracket stacking, NIIT, and total tax savings — with 2026 LTCG rates.
Financial Planning for Business Owners
Full guide covering entity structure, retirement plans, QBI deduction, and exit planning — practical moves at each stage.
QSBS: The $15M Federal Tax Exemption
Section 1202 qualified small business stock — eligibility checklist, post-OBBBA rules, holding period strategy, and common mistakes.
Business Exit Planning: The 10-Year Roadmap
Phase-by-phase exit planning guide — EBITDA optimization, deal structure, pre-sale tax strategies (QSBS, ESOP § 1042, F-reorg, installment sale), and 2026 capital gains rates.
Cash Balance Plans for Business Owners
Age-based contribution limits, how to stack with a Solo 401(k) for $160K–$410K/yr in deductions, setup costs, and who benefits most. 2026 limits verified.
S-Corp vs LLC vs C-Corp: Entity Structure Guide
FICA savings calculations, QSBS eligibility, QBI deduction interactions, and the decision framework — with 2026 tax figures. One of the most impactful decisions you'll make.
Key-Person Insurance for Business Owners
How much key-person coverage you need, tax treatment under IRC §264 and §101(a), COLI notice-and-consent rules, disability buyout insurance, and common mistakes that leave businesses exposed.
Solo 401(k): 2026 Limits, Roth & Mega-Backdoor Roth
$72,000 max in 2026. How to maximize both the employee deferral and employer profit-sharing buckets, use the Roth Solo 401(k) with no income limit, and run a mega-backdoor Roth if your plan allows it.
Health Insurance for Business Owners: 2026 Tax Guide
The §162(l) deduction, S-corp W-2 setup, QSEHRA vs ICHRA for employees, and HSA + HDHP strategy — with 2026 limits. The W-2 Box 1 mistake alone costs many S-corp owners their entire deduction.
Personal Goodwill: The Hidden Tax Strategy in Business Sales
In service businesses, a portion of the purchase price belongs to you personally — not the corporation. Structured correctly, it's taxed at capital gains rates (max 23.8% federal) instead of flowing through entity-level tax. Here's the Martin Ice Cream doctrine and how to use it.
Defined Benefit Plans: $290K+/Year for Owners Age 50+
Traditional defined benefit plans can shelter $200K–$340K annually — more than a Solo 401(k) and often more than a cash balance plan for older owners. 2026 §415(b) limit, DB vs. cash balance comparison, PBGC costs, and when the formula-based pension beats the alternatives.
How matching works
Get matched with a business-owner specialist
Tell us your revenue, entity type, and primary concern. We'll match you with a fee-only advisor who works with business owners. No fees, no obligation.
Business Owner Advisor Match is a matching service. We connect you with vetted fee-only financial advisors in our network — we don't manage money or provide advice ourselves. Advisors in our network are fiduciaries who charge transparent fees (not product commissions), and we match you based on your specific situation.