Stock Happens: Diversify Your Wealth, Multiply Your Impact

Utilizing charitable giving to reduce portfolio risk, manage taxes, and make a lasting impact Since our founding in 1982, Sand Hill has grown up alongside some of Silicon Valley’s most influential companies. Over the decades, we’ve witnessed extraordinary wealth creation—and with that success often comes the challenge of managing concentrated stock positions.  For investors with … Continued

Understanding IRMAA

Many retirees are surprised to learn that Medicare premiums are not the same for everyone. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an additional surcharge known as the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Since IRMAA can meaningfully increase healthcare costs in retirement, understanding how it works can potentially help retirees make more informed planning decisions. What Is IRMAA? IRMAA … Continued

Planning for an American Expat Life

Fueled by the advance of technology, flexibility of remote work, continued expansion of global business, and desirable cost of living tradeoffs for retirees, the ranks of American expats continue to swell. Per the U.S. State Department, in 2020, roughly nine million Americans lived abroad, while a 2022 Gallup poll revealed 15% of Americans would like … Continued

Looking Forward to 2026: What to Know at Year End ‘25

Though the year-end fast approaches, it is never too late to review strategic planning opportunities and preview what lies ahead in 2026. With the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law on July 4, 2025, there are some significant changes ahead that augment the tax and estate planning landscape. We encourage … Continued

Big Beautiful Charitable Giving Recommendations for Year End

With two months remaining in 2025 and a new tax bill recently passed with provisions that will affect charitable giving strategies, now is a great time to think about your philanthropic plans before year end. This article will focus on larger gifts and tax-related provisions that affect public charities, community foundations, and donor-advised funds.  The … Continued

The Sun Didn’t Set After All

Two of the most crucial steps in a successful financial plan are tax planning and estate planning. And like most important things in life, they are not a “one and done” endeavor but one that requires ongoing review and occasional adjustments to stay on track towards goals. For clients who are likely to have a … Continued

Roth Asset Basics

“Should I contribute to a Roth IRA? How can I contribute to a Roth IRA?” Before answering those questions, we need to define what Roth assets are. The difference between a Roth IRA and traditional IRA is that Roth contributions are made with after-tax assets, and any growth on assets inside the Roth is tax-free. … Continued

Understanding When Parents Must Pay Taxes for Their Children

The carefree days of summer camp for my children seem like long ago. My children, now teenagers, have summer jobs—and earned income—so the conversations around the dinner table range from saving, investing, and/or spending their earnings and taxes. TAXES, “gulp”, what? Many parents assume that children are exempt from tax obligations, but this is not … Continued

2025 Gifting Opportunities

The start of a new year is a great time to revisit on your existing financial plan and to determine if there are opportunities to make changes.  For example, with the rise in the S&P 500 over the last couple of years, you may find yourself in a position to be more generous with your … Continued

Exchange Ideas

In many parts of the country—including the Bay Area—house prices have increased dramatically over the past few decades, leading to significant wealth accumulation. Many people have been nicely rewarded by simply owning a house for a long time while often raising a family and staying put in the same neighborhood and local schools. But at … Continued