ACap ReCap: Financial and Tax Tips

Cost segregation is one of the most powerful tax strategies available to real estate investors, but it is often misunderstood. In this episode, Ara Oghoorian breaks down how cost segregation works, why it can significantly increase depreciation deductions, and how rental property owners can use it to reduce taxable income and improve cash flow. Through a practical example, he explains how a cost s...

Want to open a Trump Account for your child and claim the possible $1,000 government contribution? In this video, CPA and wealth manager Ara Oghoorian walks through IRS Form 4547 line by line, explains who qualifies, and shows exactly how to complete the form correctly. Learn how Trump Accounts work, who is eligible, contribution limits, and how parents can open the account before funding begins i...

Trump Accounts and IRAs are not the same, but used together, they can create a powerful head start for a child’s financial future. Ara explains how Trump Accounts compare to Traditional and Roth IRAs, including eligibility rules, contribution limits, investment restrictions, tax treatment, withdrawal rules, and planning opportunities for children with or without earned income. He also covers the $...

Graduating is more than the end of school, it is the beginning of your financial life. In this episode, Ara shares the money advice every graduate should hear before lifestyle inflation, debt, and bad habits take over. Learn how to open a Roth IRA, automate savings, build credit, create an emergency fund, save 20% of your income, understand taxes, and make smart decisions with your first 401(k). W...

Ara breaks down the new Trump Accounts created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a tax advantaged investment account designed for children. In this episode, you’ll learn who qualifies, how the $1,000 government deposit works, contribution limits, investment restrictions, withdrawal rules, and why these accounts could become a powerful long term wealth building tool for kids. Ara also explains...

Is investing in the S&P 500 enough to build real wealth, or are you leaving money and protection on the table? Before you go all in on index funds, understand what the S&P 500 does well and where it falls short. In this episode, Ara Oghoorian breaks down the reality behind one of the most recommended investment strategies in the world. While the S&P 500 is often praised for its simplic...

If you’ve ever looked at your paycheck and wondered where your money is going, Social Security is a big piece of that puzzle. But most people don’t fully understand how it works, until it’s almost time to rely on it. In this episode, we break down Social Security in simple, practical terms so you can understand exactly what you’re paying into, what you’re getting back, and how to make smarter deci...

Most taxpayers do not realize how expensive IRS penalties can get until it is too late. In this episode, Ara breaks down the two main IRS penalties, failure to file and failure to pay, and explains why filing late can cost far more than simply paying late. Using real dollar examples, he shows how a $4,000 tax bill can quickly grow with monthly penalties, daily compounding interest, and added charg...

How Social Security Is Taxed, Avoid the 85% Tax Trap and Lower Your Retirement Taxes Most retirees don’t realize up to 85% of their Social Security can become taxable, and one small mistake can cost you thousands. In this video, Ara, wealth manager and CPA, breaks down exactly how Social Security benefits are taxed and how the IRS determines what portion of your income becomes taxable. This is one...

How to Open Your First Investment Account and Buy Your First Investment, Step by Step Guide If you have never invested before, this episode walks you through the exact process to open your first brokerage account, deposit money, and buy your first investment without beginner mistakes. Learn the simple order of operations most new investors never get taught. Many people delay investing because they...

Your Social Security check can drop by hundreds per month without warning. The reason is IRMAA, the Medicare surcharge that catches many retirees off guard. In this episode, we break down exactly how IRMAA works in 2026, how the two year income look back rule impacts your Medicare premiums, and why higher Part B and Part D costs quietly reduce your monthly Social Security deposit. You will learn:...

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) can be a powerful wealth-building tool — or a tax headache if mismanaged. In this episode, we break down exactly how RSUs work, when you can sell them, how they’re taxed, and the key decisions high-income professionals need to make after vesting. You’ll learn: What RSUs actually are (and what “vesting” really means) When you can sell your shares — and whether you shou...

Why can’t I contribute to a Roth IRA if I make too much? The answer almost always comes down to one thing — Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). In this episode, we break down the difference between Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) — two terms that sound similar but have very different impacts on your financial life. You’ll learn: How AGI is calculated direct...

Think your income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA? You’re not alone — and you’re not out of options. In this episode, Ara breaks down how the Backdoor Roth IRA works and why many high earners can still contribute even after they’ve lost direct Roth access. You’ll learn: Why Roth IRA income limits exist How the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy works in practice The key tax rule you must follow to...

Most people overpay in taxes—not because they earn too much, but because they don’t plan. In this episode, CPA and wealth manager Ara breaks down five practical tax strategies that can help reduce your tax bill by using the tax code the way it was intended. These aren’t loopholes or shortcuts—just smart planning concepts that many taxpayers overlook. You’ll learn: How tax loss harvesting works and...

Every January, 1099 forms trip up business owners—and the mistakes aren’t harmless. File late, use the wrong form, or skip filing altogether, and the IRS penalties can get brutal fast. In this episode, we break down exactly what a 1099 is, who must receive one, and when you’re required to file. You’ll learn the difference between a 1099-NEC and a 1099-MISC, the $600 threshold that actually matters...

In this episode, Ara sits down with serial entrepreneur Tristan Bordallo to break down what entrepreneurship actually looks like after the Instagram quotes fade away. Tristan shares his 22-year journey—from getting laid off, to bootstrapping a trucking brokerage, to buying six-figure trucks he didn’t even know how to drive. They dig into the real mechanics of building a business that lasts: choosi...

Before the year is over, there are still real, actionable steps you can take to reduce your tax bill and tighten up your investment plan—but once January hits, those opportunities disappear for good. In this episode, we break down 7 critical money moves you should consider before December 31 , including 401(k) contribution strategies (and what’s new for 2025), tax-loss harvesting, required minimum...

In this case-study episode, Ara and Matt pull back the curtain on a real client scenario (names changed) featuring Jasmine, a 7-figure online content creator, and her husband George, a W-2 employee at a large company. Together, they walk step-by-step through how they take a chaotic, high-tax situation and turn it into a coordinated, long-term tax and retirement plan. You’ll hear exactly why Jasmin...

Are you worried your business could be taken down by a hacker, ransomware attack, or one wrong click from an employee? In this episode, Ara sits down with Bonesy Ijeoma, founder and CEO of AllSafe IT and AllSafeIntelligence (and fellow EO Los Angeles member), to break down how small and mid-sized businesses can turn IT from a constant liability into a true force multiplier. Bones shares his journe...

Too many investors make the same avoidable mistakes with Roth IRAs — and it often comes from believing outdated or flat-out wrong information. In this episode, we break down the five biggest misconceptions people have about Roth IRAs and explain what the rules actually say. If you’ve ever thought you make too much to contribute, assumed Roths are only for young investors, or believed you can tap a...

Every successful business and real estate investor needs the right financing—but how do banks actually decide who gets approved? Ara sits down with Mike Henry, Chief Credit Officer at Mission Valley Bank, to reveal what lenders really look for, how underwriting works, and what business owners can do to improve their odds. You’ll learn: The key factors banks use to approve or deny loans How to choo...

If you own shares of QQQ and your phone won’t stop ringing, there’s a reason—and it’s not spam. In this episode, Ara breaks down the proxy vote that’s triggering the nonstop calls, texts, and emails. He cuts through the noise and explains why QQQ is restructuring, what the vote is actually about, and how the proposed changes—like lowering the expense ratio—impact your portfolio. You’ll learn what...

If SBA financing still feels like a black box, this conversation will flip on the lights. Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for SBA Lending at Mission Valley Bank, Michael Carlson (UCLA Anderson MBA, CFP® professional), joins us to break down what SBA loans really are, how they’re funded, and when they’re a better fit than conventional bank loans. We cover the two flagship programs—...

Ever wonder how wealthy families preserve and grow their wealth — while paying minimal taxes and passing fortunes to future generations tax-free? In this episode, Ara breaks down the world of family offices , one of the fastest-growing sectors in global wealth management. You’ll learn how a family office integrates investing, tax strategy, estate planning, philanthropy, and liquidity management in...