New Year’s Notes from the CPO

Preparing for the 2025 Tax Filing Season

Although 2026 just started, tax season is around the corner — start gathering your documents now! As for Schwab tax documents (Forms 1099-R and 1099):

1. If you have any retirement accounts that had distributions in 2025, your Form 1099-R is now available on Schwab.
2. The 1099s for taxable accounts will start to be released in February (with any corrections being released later in the month) – the Financial Planning Team and I will continue to monitor the availability of these documents and send additional communication on how to access the forms shortly.
3. Security Notes:
   • Please do not click on any links you receive via email. To be safe, go directly to client.schwab.com, log in using your credentials, and download your tax forms.
     • If you don’t have online access set up or have settings to have your documents mailed to you, keep an eye out for them in your mailbox.
   • Be sure to provide all tax documents and client data organizers/questionnaires to your tax professional securely (do not send as unprotected email attachments).

Safe-Spending

It’s also Safe-Spending season around here! If you’re spending from your portfolio, you’ll hear from your Financial Planning team this month with your 2025 Safe-Spending Policies Review and 2026 Update. We’ll share a recap of 2025 and how the guardrail rules were applied to your prior spending target to determine your 2026 Safe-Spending Target.

We’ll also be placing trades to rebalance your accounts, to be sure your bond stable reserve is topped up, and to raise cash for the coming year’s needs.

Giving Big with the Financial Planning Association^®

In the spirit of Giving Big and sharing unconditionally on the path to abundance, we are thrilled to announce Tim Connolly, CFP^® will be serving as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the FPA^® San Francisco chapter in 2026. He will be an integral part of the Board, working with the President (our very own Sydney Woodward, CFP^®) and all members of the Board to monitor the chapter’s financials, as well as planning for the amazing educational meetings and membership connection events planned throughout the year. As a past president of the chapter and someone who works closely with Tim, I am confident he’ll be a wonderful asset to their team.