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Introduction

As the 2026 tax landscape continues to evolve—with new deductions, inflation-adjusted figures, and updated contribution limits—financial advisors need proactive, year-round strategies that deliver measurable value to clients.

Franklin Templeton's tax-aware advisor's 2026 playbook provides a practical framework built on three strategic "plays" that you can implement immediately in your practice.

Bill Cass, CFP®, CPWA®

Director of Wealth Planning, Franklin Templeton Academy

Ben Barber, CFA®

Director, Municipal Bond Department, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income

Ehren Stanhope, CFA®

Principal, Chief Investment Strategist, O'Shaughnessy Asset Management

David Fischer

SVP - Divisional Sales Manager, Franklin Templeton

2026 tax landscape

What’s changing and why it matters

Overview of new deductions, inflation-adjusted figures and updated contribution limits that may affect client decision-making.

1

New deductions create planning opportunities—and complexity.


Advisor action: Identify clients who may qualify early in the year to avoid missed opportunities due to phase-outs.

2

Inflation adjustments affect brackets, contributions and limits.


Advisor action: Use the 2026 tax rates, schedules and contribution limits PDF as a reference.

3

Updated figures may prompt earlier decision-making.


Advisor action: Flag clients approaching key thresholds earlier in the planning cycle.

The tax-aware advisor's playbook

Play 1 – Year-round tax planning discipline

Turn tax planning into an ongoing, year‑round discipline that empowers advisors to be proactive in their planning conversations and keep clients aligned through every life and income event.

How advisors can apply this play:

  • Plan earlier in the year and reassess during regular client check-ins
  • Coordinate planning with life and income events
  • Use the year-end planning checklist as part of an ongoing process

When to use this play:

  • During quarterly reviews
  • After major income or life changes

Playbook takeaway:

  • Tax efficiency isn’t a year-end decision—it’s a year-round discipline

Play 2 – Tax-free income strategies

When income matters, taxes matter. Municipal bonds can help advisors deliver income that works harder after taxes—particularly for clients in higher tax brackets or high-tax states.

Learn more about Franklin Templeton's municipal bond solutions.

How advisors can apply this play:

  • Evaluate income on an after-tax and tax-equivalent yield basis 
  • Focus on credit quality, diversification and liquidity 
  • Consider municipal bonds as a complement to taxable income sources 
  • Match the investment vehicle (mutual fund, ETF, SMA) to the client’s tax objectives

When to use this play:

  • For income-oriented clients sensitive to tax drag
  • For clients in high income tax states (double tax-free potential)

Playbook takeaway:

  • Don't pay taxes. Avoid them with tax-free income

Play 3 – Personalized, tax-efficient portfolios

Seek to capture potential opportunities through tax-aware portfolio customization using direct indexing and systematic tax-loss harvesting strategies.

Request a demo to learn more about building custom, tax-managed portfolios today.

How advisors can apply this play:

  • Create an always-on, tax-efficient core allocation
  • Transition allocations or new accounts using tax-aware transition roadmaps
  • Customize holdings to reduce risk or incorporate values

When to use this play:

  • For clients seeking to personalize and tax optimize portfolios
  • When advisors are seeking daily tax-loss monitoring
  • For advisors that are looking to streamline and scale their operations
  • Preemptive loss harvesting ahead of taxable events
  • Manage and diversify low-basis concentrated stock

Playbook takeaway:

  • It's not what you earn, it's what you keep. Direct indexing makes tax efficiency proactive, repeatable and scalable

Additional resources

2026 tax rates, schedules and contribution limits

Year-end planning checklist

Key planning strategies for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Why munis now

Leaders in municipal bond investing

Canvas capabilities

Watch the on-demand replay

View our session that empowers you with a playbook of simple, immediately actionable strategies that can help your clients keep more of what they earn in 2026 and beyond.
 

Learn more about putting the tax-aware playbook into action

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