2026 Tax Season Prep Guide: How to Prepare for the 2026 Tax Season

Hands-Off Real Estate Investing for Retirement | Connect Invest & Self-Directed IRAs

In this episode of The Preferred Way, host Alysia Ball sits down with Mason Weiler, Director of Operations at Connect Invest, to break down how investors can access hands-off real estate investing using both self-directed IRAs and cash accounts. Mason explains how Connect Invest structures fixed-income real estate notes that offer: * Defined terms and exit dates * Monthly interest payments * Diversification across hundreds of real estate loans * Competitive returns backed by real assets You’ll learn how these investments compare to rentals, CDs, bonds, and high-yield savings accounts—plus how retirement investors can deploy capital efficiently without tenant headaches or property management. This episode also covers: * Using a Self-Directed IRA to invest in real estate notes * Why defined payoff dates matter for retirement planning * How diversification helps mitigate risk * What happens in borrower defaults * How easy it is to reinvest or redeploy funds Whether you’re exploring alternatives to Wall Street or looking for predictable income inside your retirement account, this episode provides a clear, practical overview of a modern real estate investment strategy. Learn more about opening a Self-Directed IRA: Visit PreferredTrustCompany.com [PreferredTrustCompany.com] to explore how retirement funds can be used for alternative investments. Explore Connect Invest’s investment platform: Visit ConnectInvest.com [ConnectInvest.com] to learn more about their fixed-income real estate note offerings.

2026 Tax Season Prep Guide: How to Prepare for the 2026 Tax Season

If you wait until the last minute every tax season, this episode is your wake-up call. Preferred Trust Company CEO Carrie Cook sits down with CPA Larry Pendleton of The Investors CPA to break down why procrastinating your taxes is costly, what MUST be done before year-end, what extensions really mean, how retirement accounts and IRS Form 5498 work, why entity changes can't wait, and how to stay ahead of the April and October tax deadlines. ✔️ What CPAs actually expect from clients ✔️ Why extensions DO NOT delay payment ✔️ How procrastination leads to penalties & stress ✔️ Retirement contributions, IRAs, Form 5498 ✔️ Real stories of extreme procrastinators—and what happened ✔️ Practical checklist to stay ahead for the 2026 tax season Whether you're filing personal taxes, running a business, or managing investments, this conversation will help you stay organized, prepared, and protected when tax season hits. CONNECT WITH PREFERRED TRUST COMPANY Open a Self-Directed IRA, diversify into alternative assets, or get help understanding retirement strategies at: PreferredTrustCompany.com CONNECT WITH THE INVESTORS CPA Need a proactive CPA who understands strategy—not just filing? Visit: TheInvestorsCPA.com team@theinvestorscpa.com

Last-Minute Tax Saving Strategies CPAs Wish You’d Use

In this episode of The Preferred Way, CEO Carrie Cook sits down with CPA Larry Pendleton for a tactical deep dive into last-minute tax saving strategies you can still execute before the calendar hits 2026. From “machetes and steak knives” to cost segregation, entity elections, bonus depreciation, health reimbursement arrangements, retirement plans, family involvement, and the Augusta Rule — Larry breaks down real, actionable strategies that business owners and investors can use to materially reduce tax liability. If you’ve ever rushed to your CPA in March expecting miracles, this conversation is for you. Preparation, documentation, and smart planning are everything — and this episode gives you the roadmap. Learn more or open an account with Preferred Trust Company: https://preferredtrustcompany.com [https://preferredtrustcompany.com] Connect with Larry Pendleton, The Investors CPA: https://theinvestorscpa.com Follow for more episodes of The Preferred Way covering tax strategy, SDIRAs, wealth building, and smart investor planning. #TaxSavingStrategies #EndOfYearTaxPlanning #LastMinuteTaxTips #TaxCPA #BusinessTaxPlanning #BonusDepreciation #CostSegregation #SDElections #RetirementPlanning #PreferredTrustCompany #Finance #MoneyTips #WealthBuilding #InvestSmart #PersonalFinance #BusinessOwners #EntrepreneurLife #TaxSeason #FinancialEducation #youtubelearning *Disclaimer* 2025 Preferred Trust. Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Preferred Trust is committed to safeguarding all non-public personal information provided to us by our customers. Preferred Trust collects, retains, and uses customer information where we reasonably believe that it will help administer our business or provide services to our customers. We collect and retain customer information only for specific business purposes and upon request will inform customers why we are collecting and retaining the information. PREFERRED TRUST, LLC “Preferred Trust” 6700 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.990.7892 888.990.7892 Financial Institutions Division of Nevada License No. TR10025.

The Trust Mistakes That Cost Families Millions | Family Legacy with Larry Pendleton Part 2

In Part 2 of our Family Legacy series, Carrie Cook and CPA Larry Pendleton dive deeper into the real-life challenges families face when building, protecting, and transferring wealth. If you’ve ever wondered when to establish a trust, how to protect your assets, or how to avoid family conflict after you're gone, this episode will open your eyes. From irrevocable trust misconceptions to the emotional realities of inheritance, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone serious about safeguarding their family’s future. In this episode you’ll learn: • When to set up a trust and how to fund it responsibly • The biggest mistakes people make when titling assets • Why communication is critical for preventing family fractures • How trusteeship actually works (and why many people regret accepting it) • What happens when estates exceed federal tax thresholds • How to prepare your heirs emotionally and financially Open a Self-Directed IRA today at PreferredTrustCompany.com or Schedule a consultation to learn how to build a stronger long-term legacy with alternative investments. Subscribe to follow every episode of The Preferred Way, where retirement savers meet alternative investments. #FamilyLegacy #EstatePlanning #TrustPlanning #CPAAdvice #WealthTransfer #GenerationalWealth #PreferredTrustCompany #SelfDirectedIRA #RetirementPlanning #AlternativeInvesting #FinancialLiteracy #LegacyPlanning #WealthManagement #Taxes #Trusts *Disclaimer* 2025 Preferred Trust. Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Preferred Trust is committed to safeguarding all non-public personal information provided to us by our customers. Preferred Trust collects, retains, and uses customer information where we reasonably believe that it will help administer our business or provide services to our customers. We collect and retain customer information only for specific business purposes and upon request will inform customers why we are collecting and retaining the information. PREFERRED TRUST, LLC “Preferred Trust” 6700 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.990.7892 888.990.7892 Financial Institutions Division of Nevada License No. TR10025.

What Your CPA ISN'T Telling You, Real Estate, IRAs and Family Legacy

How do you decide between buying property with cash or through your IRA? And more importantly—how do you turn those investments into a lasting family legacy? In this episode of The Preferred Way, Carrie Cook sits down with CPA Larry Pendleton to reveal powerful tax strategies, pitfalls to avoid when investing through an IRA, and practical steps to protect your family’s financial future. From cost segregation and short-term rental loopholes to setting up living trusts, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone serious about generational wealth. What You’ll Learn: * When to buy property with cash vs. your IRA * How cost segregation can unlock major tax savings * Common IRA real estate mistakes (and how to avoid them) * Building a legacy that truly benefits your family Open an account today at PreferredTrustCompany.com [https://preferredtrustcompany.com] or Schedule a free consultation to learn how to diversify your retirement portfolio with alternative investments. Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow for more insights from the Preferred Trust team!