Dancing with Taxes: How Tax Intelligence Turns Advisors into Opportunity Spotters

Why Most Advisors Avoid Tax Strategy, And Why You Shouldn’t

Tax planning often gets shoved into the “too hard” pile. For many advisors, it feels risky, overly technical, or simply outside their scope. But in the latest episode of From Busy to Rich, Justin Lakin and Wes Young argue that tax intelligence is actually one of the most underutilized tools for delivering real, tangible value to clients.

And no, this isn’t about giving tax advice. It’s about spotting opportunities, curating ideas, and partnering with CPAs to help clients keep more of what they earn.

The Opportunity in an Overlooked Space

Wes opens with a compelling metaphor: two shoe salesmen land on an island where no one wears shoes. One sees a problem and leaves. The other sees a goldmine and doubles production.

The same mindset shift applies to tax strategy. Most advisors see it as a liability. The few who embrace it see a massive opportunity.

Taxes remain one of the largest, yet least discussed, drains on a business owner’s profitability. But by becoming tax aware, advisors can help clients repurpose money from tax waste back into strategic capital. The kicker? You don’t need to be a CPA. You just need to know how to ask the right questions.

Tools That Make It Easier Than You Think

The episode dives into tactical strategies for integrating tax intelligence into your practice without overwhelming your team or crossing compliance lines. Here’s what Wes and Justin recommend:

• Holistiplan: Upload tax returns and instantly receive insights, opportunities, and a visual roadmap for client conversations.
  
• Narratives Checklists: Their curated, strategy-rich database helps you vet ideas like 14-day home rentals, entity selection (S-Corp vs. C-Corp), charitable giving acceleration, and more.
  
• Fourth-Quarter Strategy Sessions: These end-of-year meetings allow you to compare current vs. prior tax data, identify planning gaps, and reinforce your ongoing value.
  
• CPA Collaboration: Coordinating with tax professionals early ensures alignment and reduces friction.

Becoming Referable Through Curated Ideas

When clients walk out of your office with an idea they can use, they talk about it. They share it at dinner parties, with colleagues, and yes, refer you to others.

Wes and Justin call this “curating opportunities, not giving advice.” And in doing so, they’re seeing what most advisors miss: tax strategy isn’t just a compliance headache. It’s a gateway to deeper conversations, stronger loyalty, and exponential referrals.

The Takeaway

Financial planning is no longer just about asset allocation or retirement projections. Clients want strategic thinking. They want someone who can help them navigate complexity and feel more in control.

This episode is a reminder that even the most intimidating topics, like taxes, can be powerful relationship builders when approached with curiosity, clarity, and coordination.

👉 Want to learn how to integrate tax intelligence into your process?
Explore tools, resources, and community insights at WesYoungLive.com

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