GET TO KNOW:
The Tax Planning Knowledge Management Team
What does the team do? The Tax Planning KM Team helps advisors identify and evaluate tax planning opportunities for clients. We monitor changes in tax law, answer technical questions, and develop tools, resources, and training to help advisors apply tax planning strategies consistently across the firm.
Why does the team exist? Tax planning is complex and constantly evolving. The team centralizes research and expertise so advisors can more efficiently apply relevant tax strategies to client situations and share knowledge across the firm.
Why does it matter to clients? Taxes affect nearly every area of a client’s financial plan. By helping advisors identify opportunities proactively, the team supports better-informed decisions and more integrated, year-round tax planning.
What are key accomplishments over the past year? OBBBA education and resources: Provided firmwide training, a detailed blog post, and client-ready materials highlighting key provisions and planning considerations from the new legislation. IRS tax payment changes: Monitored new IRS payment procedures and kept advisors informed of important timing and logistical changes. Technology and proactive planning: Expanded the use of AI and Holistiplan to analyze tax returns, identify planning opportunities, and create forward-looking tax projections.
Tax Planning Knowledge Management Team Members
Adam Ochlis
Connor O’Brien
Illeana Osmena
Partner & Senior Client Advisor
Wealth Advisor
Wealth Planning Associate
Jack Lucey
Jon Lustig
Suzannah Pogue
Wealth Advisor Associate
Senior Wealth Advisor
Wealth Planning Associate
Lightening Round Q&A Q - What is the team’s mission?
A - Our mission is to make tax planning knowledge accessible and actionable for Ballentine Partners advisors. We help translate complex tax rules into practical strategies that can be incorporated into clients’ broader financial plans.
Q - What is the team’s biggest focus this year?
A - Our biggest focus was making tax planning more proactive. We expanded tools, resources, and technology that help advisors identify opportunities earlier and incorporate tax planning throughout the year rather than only at tax time.
Q - What trends are you watching?
A - We are focused on changes in tax law, the growing importance of multi-year planning, and the increasing use of technology and data to identify planning opportunities. We are also watching how tax planning continues to become more closely integrated with investment, charitable, retirement, and estate planning decisions.
We hope this spotlight provided a glimpse into the expertise and collaboration that support our clients every day. Stay tuned next quarter as we introduce another of our outstanding Knowledge Management teams.