Vision Capital Management Financial Advisor Portland Oregon

Vision Capital Management has been providing clients financial planning and investment management services since 1999. Visit our site to find out more.

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      • Christopher Anissian
      • Katelyn Cummings, CFP®
      • Bryan Goss
      • Gina Jacobson, CFP®, CDFA
      • Marina Johnson, CFA
      • John LaBarca, CFA
      • Ellen Logan
      • Maria Malloy, CFP®
      • Sue McGrath
      • Sarah Quist, CFP®
      • Jeffrey Schmidt, CFA
      • Matthew Sheets, CFP®
      • Chris Sizemore, CPWA®, CMFC
      • Stacy Sizemore, IACCP®
      • Madison Steinbrenner, IACCP®
      • Liz Swagerty Olsen
      • Cliff Yount, IACCP®
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Oct 01 2025

Year-End Financial Planning Checklist

As the year draws to a close, we would like to highlight two key activities we’re undertaking on behalf of our clients and provide reminders on other best practices for year-end.

  1. Tax-Loss Harvesting

    Our investment team actively monitors portfolios for tax-loss harvesting opportunities. This involves selling securities at a loss to offset capital gains, while simultaneously reinvesting in a way that remains aligned with your long-term goals and risk tolerance. We also manage cost basis considerations to support overall tax efficiency.

  2. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

    Clients age 73 or older are legally required to take annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Vision Capital will assist in coordinating these distributions through your Fidelity or Schwab account as needed.  If you have an inherited IRA, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) may still be required, regardless of your age, depending on the terms of the inheritance and current IRS regulations.  If you hold an inherited IRA or have any questions regarding your RMD obligations, please contact your client relationship manager for guidance.

Additionally, the following items can help clients get organized and ready to welcome in the new year.

  • Maximize Retirement Contributions

    Even if you can’t contribute the full annual limit, increasing contributions before year-end can significantly enhance long-term retirement savings. If eligible, consider making “catch-up contributions,” which vary in amount depending on the type of retirement account.

  • Optimize Charitable Giving

    To receive a 2025 tax deduction, charitable donations must be completed by December 31. We recommend acting early, as nonprofits can be overwhelmed during the final weeks of the year. Additional strategies to consider include bunching donations into a single year for greater impact, donating highly appreciated long-term assets, or making qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) directly from an IRA.

  • Evaluate Income Tax Withholding

    Now is a good time to reassess your withholding elections to make sure they still match up with your current income level and tax situation heading into the new year.

  • Assess Medicare Coverage

    We recommend reading the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) document, which details changes to costs and coverage. If you have experienced significant changes with your health, are seeing new providers, or have new prescriptions, it may be worthwhile to move to a new plan during open enrollment, which takes place from October 15 to December 7.

  • Contribute to Your Health Savings Account

    Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) carry the unspent funds over to the next year. If you are able, it is advantageous to maximize your contribution to your HSA for a triple tax advantage: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical costs.

  • Use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

    Flexible spending funds are generally subject to a “use it or lose it” rule. Depending on your plan, unused balances may expire at year-end. Eligible purchases include new contacts or glasses, prescriptions, appointment copays, and over-the-counter items such as first aid supplies, sunscreen, and cold and flu remedies.

  • Review Estate Planning Documents

    Outdated beneficiary designations are unfortunately common and can lead to unintended consequences. Take the time to review and update your beneficiary forms to ensure they accurately reflect your current wishes and circumstances.

If you have any questions about the topics outlined above, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support your financial goals with thoughtful, proactive guidance.

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: 401K, 529 PLAN, CHARITABLE GIVING, DIVORCE, ECONOMY, ELLEVATE NETWORK, ESTATE PLANNING, FIDUCIARY, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, FINANCIAL PLANNING, HEALTH INSURANCE, HOME OWNERSHIP, INSURANCE, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENTS, MEDICARE, NIKE, OREGON, OREGON ECONOMY, PARENTING, PERSONAL FINANCE, REAL ESTATE INVESTING, RETIREMENT PLANNING, SOCIAL SECURITY, TAX PLANNING, UNCATEGORIZED, WOMEN · Tagged: end of year checklist, FINANCIAL PLANNING, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, MEDICARE, RETIREMENT PLANNING

Apr 28 2021

Should You Rent or Buy?

We’ve all heard the sentiment that you may as well be throwing money away if you’re renting a home, but is that really the case? The answer is that it depends on your specific situation: your needs, finances, and future plans! Home ownership can be beneficial under the right circumstances, but it’s not all sunshine and white-picket fences and while renting may be convenient, you are at the whim of a landlord. There are upsides and downsides to both options and you may find one appealing over the other at different stages in life. We’ll help you explore the factors to consider before deciding whether to rent or buy!

Rent or Buy [Read more…]

Written by Marina Johnson · Categorized: FINANCIAL PLANNING, HOME OWNERSHIP, REAL ESTATE INVESTING, RETIREMENT PLANNING · Tagged: REAL ESTATE INVESTING

Jan 02 2020

Why Umbrella Insurance?

Picture this scene: your child’s friend is over at your house, they’re playing on the trampoline and things are getting a little rowdy. Your child’s friend lands wrong, breaks their ankle and is rushed to the hospital. Their parents, who had always been pleasant and seemingly reasonable, now blame you for the incident and have decided to sue you for negligence. Without an umbrella policy in place, you face significant risk to your assets and financial security.

Umbrella Insurance [Read more…]

Written by Marina Johnson · Categorized: FINANCIAL PLANNING, HOME OWNERSHIP, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE INVESTING · Tagged: FINANCIAL PLANNING, UMBRELLA INSURANCE

Jul 27 2019

Tips on Moving for Tax Reasons

If you live in a high income tax state such as Oregon, California or New York, you’re probably not happy about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 capping your state and local income tax deductions at $10,000. Many people who were taking advantage of these deductions found their tax bill to be higher after the legislation passed. If nothing is tying you to where you currently live, such as a job or family, you may consider moving to a lower tax state.

Tips for moving for tax reasons

[Read more…]

Written by Marina Johnson · Categorized: ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCIAL PLANNING, HOME OWNERSHIP, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENTS, REAL ESTATE INVESTING, RETIREMENT PLANNING, TAX PLANNING · Tagged: TAX

Apr 23 2018

Interest Rates and How They Relate to Your Mortgage

When it comes to interest rates in relation to your credit card, student loan or home mortgage, you probably know the interest rate is the price you’re paying to borrow money. But when you hear about interest rates in the headlines, what kind of rates are they talking about? And if rates are moving up, what does this mean for your mortgage or other lines of credit?

The answer isn’t simple.

[Read more…]

Written by Marina Johnson · Categorized: FINANCIAL PLANNING, HOME OWNERSHIP, INVESTMENTS, REAL ESTATE INVESTING, TAX PLANNING

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Certifications and Associations

Certified Women Owned Business
Certified
Private Wealth Advisor
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CFA Institute
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
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