Your Tax Return Is a Blueprint — Here's How to Use It for Better Planning

Most people get their tax return back, sign it, and move on. But your 2025 tax return is more than a summary of last year — it’s a roadmap for smarter tax planning going forward. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP®, walks line-by-line through the key parts of your return and shows you exactly what to look for, including: Where interest income may be creating unnecessary tax drag How dividends and capital gains impact your tax bill (and what to do about it) Why your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) drives decisions like IRMAA, IRA eligibility, and Roth strategies When it makes sense to itemize vs. take the standard deduction How to use your taxable income to identify Roth conversion opportunities and manage tax brackets Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, this episode will help you turn your tax return into a planning tool — not just paperwork. If you have your return handy, follow along and see how these strategies apply to your situation. Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

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Your Tax Return Is a Blueprint — Here's How to Use It for Better Planning is an episode from Retire Smarter by Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®.

This episode is 22:46 long.

This episode was published on Apr 16, 2026.

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