Topic
Tax planning for dentists
Most tax opportunity is in planning ahead, not filing season. These guides cover entity choice, retirement-plan deductions, and coordinating with your CPA.
- 2 min
When should a dentist claim Social Security?
Claiming Social Security early, at full retirement age, or at 70 changes your benefit for life. How dentists should think through the timing decision.
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The big tax mistakes retirees make (and how to avoid them)
Taxes don’t stop in retirement — they change. The most common and costly tax mistakes retirees make, from RMD surprises to poor withdrawal timing.
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Retirement withdrawal strategy: which accounts to tap, and when
The order you withdraw from taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts can save years of taxes. Why your withdrawals look different before and after Social Security.
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Building your retirement paycheck: turning savings into income
Retirement flips the problem from saving to spending. How dentists can turn a portfolio and practice-sale proceeds into a reliable, tax-smart paycheck.
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Asset sale vs. stock sale: how should you structure a practice sale?
Most dental practice sales are asset sales, but stock sales happen too. How the two differ for taxes, liability, and what it means for buyer and seller.
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How is the sale of a dental practice taxed?
A practice sale is taxed as a mix of capital gains and ordinary income, driven by how the price is allocated across assets. What dentists should plan for.
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How much will I actually pocket when I sell my dental practice?
The sale price isn’t what you keep. How to estimate your real “cash in hand” after taxes, debt payoff, fees, and deal structure.
Read article → - 3 min
Direct indexing and direct investing for dentists, explained
Direct indexing lets you own the individual stocks of an index directly — capturing index-like returns plus tax-loss harvesting. When it fits a high-earning dentist.
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ILITs for dentists: life insurance and the estate tax
An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can keep life-insurance proceeds out of a taxable estate and provide liquidity to pay estate tax. Educational only.
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Types of trusts, and why a dentist might use one over another
Revocable, irrevocable, ILIT, special needs, dynasty, and charitable trusts — what each does and when a dentist might use one. Educational only; see an attorney.
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Passing wealth to the next generation — and preparing them for it
Building wealth is the easy part; passing it on well is harder. How dentists can transfer wealth and prepare heirs so success strengthens the family.
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The top 5 financial moves for dentists (by area)
A fast, high-impact checklist: the top 5 things to do for retirement, practice ownership, taxes, investing, and protection — for busy dentists.
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Should a dentist hold their practice real estate in a separate entity?
Owners often hold the practice building in a separate LLC that leases to the practice — for liability separation, tax clarity, and transition flexibility.
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721 exchanges and UPREITs for dentists, explained
A 721 exchange lets a dentist roll real estate into a REIT operating partnership tax-deferred, trading control for diversification and eventual liquidity.
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DST 1031 exchanges for dentists: passive real estate, explained
A Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) lets a dentist complete a 1031 exchange into passive, institutional real estate — no management, but illiquid and accredited-only.
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What is a 1031 exchange, and how can a dentist use one?
A 1031 exchange lets a dentist defer capital-gains tax by reinvesting real-estate sale proceeds into like-kind property. The rules, deadlines, and pitfalls.
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What’s a reasonable S-corp salary for a dentist?
S-corp dentists must pay themselves a “reasonable” W-2 salary before taking distributions. How the rule works and why setting it too low is risky.
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How should a dentist use an HSA?
A health savings account is the most tax-advantaged account there is. How dentists can use an HSA as a stealth retirement account, not just a medical fund.
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The backdoor Roth IRA for high-income dentists, explained
Most dentists earn too much to fund a Roth IRA directly. The backdoor Roth is a legal workaround — here’s how it works and the pro-rata pitfall to avoid.
Read article → - 5 min
Strategic charitable giving for high-income dentists: a family-office guide
A deep, family-office-level guide to giving well — appreciated assets, donor-advised funds, QCDs, charitable trusts, and giving around a practice sale.
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S-corp vs. sole proprietor for dentists: which is better?
How choosing an S-corporation affects a dentist’s taxes, payroll, and paperwork — and when the added complexity is worth it.
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Tax planning strategies for dental practice owners
Proactive, year-round tax strategies for dental practice owners — entity choice, retirement plans, income timing, and coordinating with your CPA.
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Your practice should support your life — not control it.
Build a coordinated financial strategy designed around your practice, your family, and the freedom you want your work to create.