Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: Building a Year-Round Tax Plan for 2026

In Part 2 of our Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy series, Ryan Edwards from Southeast Retirement Planners sits down with CPA Jamie Eckard, lead of Southeast Tax & Consulting, to break down what a year-round tax strategy actually looks like—and why it’s so different from simply filing a return. Together, they walk through the key “pillars” that can shape your tax picture over time, including income timing, tax-advantaged retirement contributions (and key 2026/SECURE 2.0 updates), charitable giving strategies, Roth contributions and conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and estate and gift planning considerations. They also share a simple, practical tax calendar to help you move from a stressful April deadline mindset to a more organized planning rhythm throughout the year. If you’ve ever wondered what your tax strategy is supposed to be—or what you may need to adjust for 2026—this episode will give you a clear framework and next steps to discuss with your financial advisor and tax professional.