Independent, general tax planning financial advisors in Santa Monica, CA
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
If you face complex tax situations or want to optimize your tax payments in Santa Monica, CA, an independent general tax planning advisor can help you navigate local and state tax rules. Without careful planning, you might miss opportunities to reduce your tax burden or misunderstand how property tax limits like Proposition 13 affect your finances.
- Local tax knowledge. Confirm the advisor understands California's high income taxes and how Proposition 13 limits property tax increases for homeowners.
- Holistic tax approach. Look for advisors who consider your entire financial picture, not just isolated tax events.
- Coordination with other professionals. Ask how they work with your CPA or estate planner to align tax strategies.
- Independent perspective. Independence means the advisor isn't tied to a firm that might push specific products, potentially giving you more objective advice.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Daniel S
CFP®
Santa Monica, CA
Daniel M.. Stern, LLC
Daniel Stern specializes in general tax planning in Santa Monica, leveraging 23 years of experience and CFP® certification to address complex tax situations with a holistic approach. His independent, flat-fee firm serves a small client base, emphasizing long-term, passive investment strategies with low-cost index funds, distinguishing him from advisors with larger practices or different fee structures.
Experience: 23 years
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Kelly K
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Valley Wealth Strategies, LLC
Kelly Kruzick offers independent general tax planning in Santa Monica, leveraging 38 years of experience and a flat-fee structure that can be negotiated based on expected hours. Her firm, Valley Wealth Strategies, manages $1.2 billion with a long-term investment approach and serves diverse clients including families and small businesses, providing a broad perspective beyond just tax planning.
Experience: 38 years
Avg account: $344,317
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Julian S
Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Wellacre Global Wealth Advisors
Julian Scott specializes in general tax planning in Santa Monica, leveraging his Series 65 designation and over eight years of experience, including roles at McKinsey and an MBA from Wharton. His firm offers flat-fee financial planning and comprehensive portfolio management with up to 1.75% AUM fees, focusing on high-net-worth clients and integrating strategies like real estate investing and retirement plans for business owners.
Experience: 0 years
Avg account: $1,121,422
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Brad T
Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Penmar Wealth Management LLC
Brad Tonoff offers independent general tax planning in Santa Monica, leveraging his Series 65 designation and expertise in tax-loss harvesting and options strategies. His firm, Penmar Wealth Management, serves both individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary asset management and financial planning, charging $250 per hour for planning services, which may suit clients seeking a tailored, analytical approach with direct advisor oversight.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $75,748
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Mike S
Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
Citizens Private Wealth
Mike Shayestehfar specializes in general tax planning and business ownership considerations, making him well-suited for complex tax situations in Santa Monica. With 19 years of experience and a Series 66 designation, he offers flat-fee and AUM-based services through Citizens Private Wealth, which serves high-net-worth clients with an open-architecture investment platform and integrated banking solutions.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $6,371,049
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