ACap ReCap: Financial and Tax Tips

Confused about LLC vs S corp vs C corp? In this episode, Ara (wealth manager & CPA) breaks down how entity choice impacts taxes, liability, investors, and growth. Make a smart decision now to avoid painful (and expensive) fixes later. Starting a business is thrilling—until you hit the wall of entity selection. In this clear, no-jargon walkthrough, Ara explains how to choose the right structure...

The Roth IRA is often called the “holy grail” of retirement accounts — tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals, and no required minimum distributions. But what if putting all your money in Roth accounts could actually hurt your long-term plan? In this episode, Ara, a Wealth Manager and CPA, explains why going “all Roth” can backfire — and how to build a smarter, more flexible retirement strategy. Yo...

Thinking about how to invest for retirement — but not sure whether to choose a Roth IRA or a Traditional IRA? In this episode, Ara breaks down the key differences between these two powerful retirement accounts and explains how to decide which one fits your financial goals. You’ll learn: ✅ How each IRA impacts your taxes — now and in retirement ✅ Who benefits most from a Roth vs. a Traditional ✅...

How much do you really need to retire? Spoiler: there’s no “magic number.” In this episode we unpack why your retirement target depends on your lifestyle, spending, longevity, inflation, investment mix, taxes, and how you turn savings into income. We walk through practical frameworks you can use today—without cookie-cutter rules—so you can retire with confidence and keep adapting as life changes....

What is a Roth IRA (and why so many people love it)? Short answer: it’s an individual retirement account you open on your own, fund with after-tax dollars, and—here’s the magic—your investments can grow tax-free and come out tax-free in retirement (if you follow the rules). In this episode, we break down how Roth IRAs work, who can contribute, the 5-year rule, why there are no RMDs , and the bigge...

Case Study: Mark & Joanna — Building Wealth, Buying a Home, and Planning for the Future In this episode, we walk through a real-life (names changed) client case to show how we approach comprehensive financial planning from start to finish. Meet Mark and Joanna — a high-earning couple in Los Angeles juggling demanding careers, twin teenagers in private school, and big goals for their financial...

The right business structure could save you thousands in taxes. If you’re wondering which entity to start — LLC, Sole Prop, or S Corp — this episode is for you. We break down 9 powerful benefits of an S Corporation, including how it can reduce your payroll tax, provide liability protection & greater audit protection, and more.  🎧 Hosted by Ara Oghoorian, CFA, CFP®, CPA, Founder & Presiden...

In this ACap ReCap episode we explain what are pass-through entities, their types, the advantages and disadvantages of pass-through entities, and whether or not this is the right business structure for you. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more financial news and tips: @ACapReCap 📍Schedule a Free Consultation: https://www.acapam.com/contact/ Financial Advisor in Los Angeles, CA CPA in Los Ang...

Are you 65 or older? The new 2025 tax bill (OBBBA) introduces a $6,000 bonus deduction — up to $12,000 for married couples, that could help lower your taxable income and even reduce taxes on your Social Security benefits. In this video, we answer your most common questions: ✅ Who qualifies and how much you can claim ✅ How long this deduction will last ✅ Income limits and phase-outs ✅ How this...

The “No Tax on Tips” provision in the new federal spending bill creates a special deduction for tipped workers, lowering what they owe in federal income tax starting in 2025. But tips are still subject to state and local income taxes as well as payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare). In this episode, Ara Oghoorian explains who qualifies, what counts as qualified tips, the $25,000 deduction l...

In this episode, Ara Oghoorian, CFP®, provides an important update on the "No Tax on Overtime" provision included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025. Since the IRS has now released an official Fact Sheet with further guidance, this video addresses the most frequently asked questions we received following our previous video on the new legislation. A...

In this episode, Ara Oghoorian, CFP® explains what to do when you have leftover money sitting in a 529 college savings plan and how to actually use it wisely. College is expensive, and 529 plans are a great way to save while getting some tax advantages. But what if your kid got a scholarship, stayed local, or didn't use the money at all? Now you have extra funds in the account - what can you...

UTMA, UGMA and 529 plans are all great options for parents who want to save up for their child's future. But let's compare them to see which one is better for you. ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more financial news and tips: @ACapReCap 📍Schedule a Free Consultation: https://www.acapam.com/contact/ Financial Advisor in Los Angeles, CA CPA in Los Angeles, CA Connect with ACap on...

Confused by all the fund options out there? In this episode, we break down the core differences between Index Funds, Mutual Funds, and ETFs, so you can decide what fits your financial goals. Learn how each type works, what sets them apart, the pros and cons of active vs. passive strategies, and how fees, flexibility, and performance play into the decision. ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for m...

President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill has officially passed, and it comes with sweeping changes that could directly impact your taxes, healthcare, and government benefits. The bill makes the 2017 tax cuts permanent, introduces new deductions for tip income and overtime, imposes work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients, and redirects federal spending toward defense and border security....

In this episode, we explore how Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are taxed, how to buy and sell them, what happens when they mature, and how to calculate their tax-equivalent yield. We also compare T-Bills to other fixed-income options like CDs to help you evaluate whether they’re the right choice for your investment strategy. ✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more financial news and tips: @ACapReCa...

If your home was destroyed or severely damaged in the recent California disasters, you may be eligible for a $20,000 grant through the Cal Assistance Mortgage Fund. In this video, I walk you through the program details, eligibility requirements, income limits by county, property and mortgage qualifications, and the full list of documents you’ll need to apply. The application portal opens June 12,...

The S&P 500 index fund is simple, low-cost, and backed by decades of strong performance, but it’s not a complete strategy. Putting all your money into one index could expose you to unnecessary risks and limit your long-term growth. In this episode, Ara Oghoorian, CFP, CFA and founder of ACap Advisors & Accountants, breaks down: - What the S&P 500 really is and how it works - Why it’s a...

In this episode, we cover the most important Social Security changes for 2025 and what they could mean for your future benefits. From the official 3.2% COLA adjustment to updates in earnings limits and monthly benefit amounts, these changes may directly impact current recipients and those planning for retirement. Here’s what you’ll learn: – The 2025 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) and how it affe...

Stagflation is an unusual and troubling economic condition where three things happen at once: inflation stays high, economic growth slows down, and unemployment remains elevated. It’s a term that gained attention in the 1970s and continues to be relevant today, especially as concerns about stagflation in 2025 grow. ➞ Stagflation causes  Unlike typical economic cycles where inflation rises during g...

Congress has introduced the highly anticipated One, Big, Beautiful Bill which is a cornerstone of the new Trump tax plan. In this video, we break down every major provision of this proposed legislation and what it could mean for individuals, families, and businesses across the U.S. What's included in Trump's tax new bill: - Individual Income Tax Rate - Standard Deduction Increase - Expan...

Thinking about investing in gold now? Learn the pros and cons of gold, gold ETFs, and gold IRAs. In this episode, Ara Oghoorian and Matt Crisafulli from ACap Advisors & Accountants break down everything you need to know about investing in gold. From coins and bars to gold ETFs, they explore the pros and cons of gold as an investment, its role in a portfolio, tax implications, and whether it be...

Trump tax cuts are going to be the largest in American history, and they will bring HUGE tax changes for you! President Trump is pushing hard to pass new tax legislation this year, and it could bring major changes to how you pay taxes. Whether you're a service worker, retiree, small business owner, or someone looking to maximize your paycheck, these proposed changes will affect you. In this e...

Not all dividends are taxed the same, and understanding the difference could save you money.  In this episode, we break down qualified and non-qualified dividends, how each is taxed, what to watch for during tax season, and how to tell which kind you’re receiving.  If you’ve ever wondered how dividends impact your tax bill, this one’s for you. Tune in for a clear, straightforward explanation that...

In this episode, we break down the essential differences between Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) . While they may seem similar, these investment products have distinct characteristics that every investor should understand. We’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of ETNs, compare them to ETFs, and help you decide which might be the better option for your portfolio. Tu...