What Your CPA Isn't Telling You: Life-Changing Tax Strategies

by Mark J. Kohler

This is a powerful story woven around one theme—TAX PLANNING CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Tackling the fundamental question asked by all taxpayers – How can I save on taxes? — attorney and CPA Mark J. Kohler empowers you to dismiss standard CPA viewpoints like your tax payment is what it is and you just make too much money.

Simplified through the mastery of storytelling, Kohler invites you to immerse yourself in the compelling tale of a typical family’s tax awakening. Through their journey, you’ll discover critical, but underutilized tax strategies to achieve huge tax savings, greater wealth, and, ultimately, a winning pursuit of the American Dream.

“Mark brought tax planning to life in a story line we can all relate to personally!”

Lori Mackey, award-winning author, CEO of Prosperity4Kids, Inc.

“It is about time someone brought the benefits of tax planning to the masses. That is what Mark has achieved in this book.”

Dermot Berkery, author of Raising Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur

"If you are not happy with your current CPA relationship, and aren't in love with your generic tax planning software, and wonder if there are better options out there. . .you need to read this book!"

Tim Higgins, author of Paying For College Without Sacrificing Your Retirement

"FINALLY, a tax book that I can not only understand but relate to and actually learn from. I never thought it was possible, however Mark Kohler did it - he made learning about taxes fun."

Starr Hall, www.StarrHall.com, international author, speaker

"This book changed the way I saw my taxes and my financial future."

Woody Woodward, filmmaker, author, success Strategist

Includes Tax Planning Resource Kit—Access templates, checklists, charts, and videos for additional support!

Genres: Business, Finance, Nonfiction, Personal Finance, Accounting, Taxation

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Steve]

This book was not what I expected it to be. That is actually a good thing.
The title sucked me in during a library walk through. I expected a bunch of 'how-to' lists by category that I could use to make sure I didn't miss any deductions.
Not even close. Instead, the author uses a storytelling method to convince the reader that becoming an entrepreneur is the only way to make significant strides in saving taxes. Along the way he tucks enough information to convince without getting dry. Basically he advocates either rentals or a small business with stories to illustrate how it works.
More inspiration than information, but enough information to trigger imagination.
I was going to give this 3 stars until I realized the author had accomplished his goal. I have pulled an old business plan out and started thinking of looking into a vacation rental in the Smokies again. So.... 4 stars.

[Rebecca]

Excellent! This book really helped us to get our business started!

[Mark Blane]

This is an "okay" book to get some information on what your CPA may not be telling you. I have some criticisms:

First, the author uses real estate as an example to help create tax savings, which is great, and I 100% agree. He even briefly discusses IRS Section 469 to achieve Professional Real Estate status, which is also great. But, then, it does not go further with the "coup de gras" which is "cost segregation" in your real estate tax planning. So, even this book, fails to tell you about that one tid bit. Makes me wonder what else may be lacking?

Second, I read the book listening to it via audible. The recording is horrible as it is low and has a very hollow echo, sometimes making it hard to hear the author read his work. Now, this means he was using a terrible room and microphone to record it - that could have been overcome by not being cheap in the recording - actually, the costs would not have been that much. Makes me wonder why the author is not taking pride in his work, and again, as above, what else (details) will be lacking in this work?

Third, the story format - which ideally is a great idea and can help the information be digested, but the manner and writing of the stories was too causal for me, and thus it did not leave a gripping effect on me as the reader or listener. Again, often times it was hard to hear the reader in the recording. Audible should have a warning on bad recordings. Recordings of books should have a minimal standard in quality assurance.

So, despite the above, I still give 3 stars - he did hit IRS Code 469, and I believe the author's intentions are good, but falls short on some areas with real estate and the audio recording is just awful.

[Prerna Lal]

While many ideas in this book are familiar to me, if you are new to finance, accounting, tax planning, retirement income and wealth creation, you must read this book!

[Jeremy Schmucker]

Not what I expected and it’s written in story format which made it take 5x longer to communicate than it should have.

[Harry Harman]

Demystifies the Master Tax Guide.

When shopping around for a CPA ask, “Who is going to be the fastest and most inexpensive?”

[Harshal Patil]

Very good book for personal \ business tax strategies.

[Gunnar]

Bogus. I fell for way too many of these books. I'll save you some time: There are no life-changing tax strategies, and certainly none that your CPA isn't telling you.

[David]

This book really covers the basic of tax planning and various strategies that a surprising number of people can implement in their lives without too much difficulty. As a CPA myself, I will be keeping this near my desk at work as a reference and would not be afraid to recommend it as being worth your time. At $20 retail, it's a lot cheaper than an hour with your own CPA.

[Wade Anderson]

Great, practical financial advice with contrived stories and poor writing.

[Logan]

Nothing revolutionary, despite the provocative title: (1) start a business and (2) own rental real estate.