At Hill Investment Group, we’ve found that when a few clients ask similar questions, many more likely share the same curiosity. To better serve you, we’ll periodically feature this “Hey Hill” segment in our newsletter, addressing common client questions and explaining our perspective. To submit questions for future newsletters, email us at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Tax season always feels like a scramble. Are there things we (or you) can be doing throughout the year to make it easier – and smarter?

At Hill Investment Group, we believe taxes aren’t just a once-a-year concern. They’re a year-round opportunity. While most people only think about taxes in the spring, we’re building strategies into your plan every day—so you’re not just reacting in April, you’re planning ahead with purpose.

Markets move. Headlines shift. But one thing we can control is how efficiently your portfolio is managed from a tax perspective. It’s a key part of Taking the Long View, helping you keep more of what you earn—not just this year, but every year.

How We Build Tax Efficiency into Your Plan

• Strategic Asset Location – Some investments generate more taxes than others, and where you hold them matters. We structure your portfolio to keep tax-inefficient assets in tax-advantaged accounts, reducing unnecessary tax drag.
• Tax-Loss Harvesting – When the opportunity arises, we strategically offset gains with losses—lowering your taxable income without disrupting your investment strategy.
• ETF Investing – ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) allow investors to defer most, if not all, capital gains taxes until they sell, helping avoid surprise tax bills.
• Tax-Advantaged Accounts – From IRAs and Roth conversions to HSAs, we help you maximize the long-term tax benefits of these accounts.
• Charitable Giving Strategies – Tools like donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), and appreciated stock donations allow you to give while staying tax-smart.
• Estate & Gifting Strategies – Thoughtful wealth transfer planning helps minimize estate taxes and ensures your legacy is passed on efficiently.

Making Tax Season Easier

Beyond these long-term strategies, we make tax season seamless by preparing tax packets with key reports and details your CPA needs. Because we work closely with your tax team, we help ensure that your investment and tax strategies are always aligned.

If you have questions about how tax planning fits into your financial picture, we’re here to help.

Taking the Long View means thinking ahead—about taxes and beyond.

As you may recall from last month, we asked for nominations for the Rick Hill Award — our way of recognizing someone on our team who truly embodies service, integrity, and leadership. This award is named after our co-founder, Rick Hill, whose influence continues to shape our culture.

We’re excited to share that Nick Ashby is this year’s winner! Nick’s dedication to our clients and team, willingness to step up whenever needed, and steady, thoughtful approach to challenges make him a standout. He makes our firm better every day, and we’re lucky to have him.

We also want to give a big shoutout to Nell Schiffer and Katie Ackerman, who earned honorable mentions this year. Nell’s leadership and commitment to client service are second to none, and Katie’s attention to detail and operational excellence keep us all moving forward. They both make a huge impact, and we’re grateful for them.

Please join us in congratulating Nick, Nell, and Katie! Their contributions remind us why we take the long view.

At Hill Investment Group, we recognize that when a few clients raise the same question, it’s likely that more have similar thoughts. To better serve you, we’re introducing a new segment in our newsletter where we’ll address common questions and how we approach them. To submit questions for future newsletters, email us at info@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Hey Hill, What Should I Be Thinking About as 2025 Approaches?

As we approach the new year, now is the perfect time to reflect on your financial picture and look ahead to 2025. At Hill Investment Group, we encourage you to rely on us for all things financial — whether it’s optimizing your portfolio, navigating new opportunities, or planning for life’s big transitions. Here are a few key considerations as we gear up for the new year:

Introducing the Longview Advantage ETF

We’re excited to launch the Longview Advantage ETF (ticker: EBI) in early 2025 and transition Hill clients to it tax-free. Designed as a low-cost, market-wide investment solution, EBI will bring more efficiency to your portfolio. Think of it as the next evolution of Taking the Long View: the same evidence-based investment philosophy with the added benefits of reduced fees and greater tax efficiency.

This is a big step forward for Hill clients, and we are excited to integrate it into portfolios for your benefit

Automate Your Savings for Long-Term Growth

If you don’t already have an automatic savings plan in place, now is the time to consider one. These plans allow you to make regular contributions to your portfolio effortlessly, taking advantage of dollar-cost averaging and the power of compounding. Over time, contributions can snowball into meaningful wealth. Talk to your advisor about how to set one up — it’s one of the easiest ways to make real process toward your financial goals.

Review Employer Benefits for 2025

A new year brings updates to retirement contribution limits and other employer benefits:

• 401(k): $23,500 (up from $23,000)
  • Catch-Up Contributions (50+): an additional $7,500 (or $11,250 for ages 60–63)
• ROTH and Traditional IRA: $7,000 (consistent with 2024)
  • Catch-Up Contributions (50+): an additional $1,000 

It’s also a great time to review your medical benefits and insurance options. If you have access to an HSA or FSA, increasing your contributions can help you maximize tax savings. Unsure of your next step? Your Hill advisor can help you evaluate your options and ensure you’re making the most of these opportunities. 

Prepare for Life’s Big Moments

Are there big milestones on the horizon for 2025? Maybe you’re sending a child to college, planning a major purchase, retiring, or updating your estate plan. These life events deserve thoughtful planning, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Share the Gift of Thoughtful Financial Guidance

Do you know someone who might benefit from personalized financial advice? Whether it’s a friend navigating a big life transition, a family member seeking smarter investment strategies, or someone simply unsure of where to start, we’re here to help.

Sharing our name or a copy of Odds On is an easy way to introduce them to Taking the Long View. If you have someone in mind, let us know — we’d love to meet them.

Let’s make 2025 your best financial year yet. If you’d like to explore any of these ideas, reach out or book a time here. We’re here to help.

Hill Investment Group is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an Investment Advisor does not imply any level of skill or training.  This information is educational and does not intend to make an offer for the sale of any specific securities, investments, or strategies. Consult with a qualified financial adviser before implementing any investment or financial planning strategy.