Michael Leeder

Effectively Leveraging Tax Minimization Strategies

In today's environment, tax sensitive investing and wealth transfer are key tenets to building wealth. We bring a tax\-sensitive mindset to our work, leveraging the technology and tools available at Merrill to help clients retain more of their hard\-earned dollars, whether investing, passing wealth to the next generation, selling a business, or engaging in charitable giving. Here are a few of the techniques we employ to help clients advance a tax\-efficient framework: * **Automated tax management strategies**: Our proprietary technology looks to identify and mitigate unrealized gains in client portfolios, using strategies that include Tax Efficient Management and Direct Indexing. * **Professional acumen**: Michael Leeder holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and the CEPA®, Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential. He has a focus on tax\-planning strategies, both for personal and business decisions. * **Highly appreciated assets**: We analyze ways to defer or help minimize taxes on highly appreciated assets, including 1031 Exchanges and accelerated tax\-loss harvesting. * **Tax\-sensitive investing:** We have designed our investment approach to reflect the tax circumstances, time horizons, and wealth\-transfer opportunities available to high\-net\-worth clients. * **Effective collaboration**: We work in concert with a family's tax and legal intermediaries to oversee progress on shared initiatives, providing steady leadership and deft coordination. **Reach me directly:** Michael Leeder, CFP®, CPFA®, CEPA® 805\-596\-2236 michael_leeder@ml.com \-\- Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Rooted In Our Community

**Crushing Cancer for Kids** In 2018, my wife Sara and I learned our son, Dylan, was diagnosed with leukemia. As you can imagine, we were shocked and terrified. The focus of our lives changed from everyday activities we took for granted to moments we cherished. We are grateful our son has recovered and is now a thriving teenager. We realize, however, that not every family is as fortunate. Sara and I remain committed to helping raise funds for pediatric cancer research. * For the past three years, we've hosted "**Crushing Cancer for Kids**"—our annual pickleball tournament in San Luis Obispo. * We are grateful to the players, volunteers, and spectators who have helped make the event such a success. * To date, we've brought in over $200,000 for pediatric cancer in support of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and Jack's Helping Hand, two incredible organizations supporting families touched by pediatric cancer. * This year's event in August 2026 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Please come out, meet some new people, see some old friends, and join us! **Supporting Area Initiatives** As the Resident Director of the San Luis Obispo office at Merrill, I'm proud to take part in local initiatives that add to the vibrancy and well\-being of our community. I'm involved in the following organizations: * Member of the Professional Advisors Commiteee for **San Luis Obispo Community Foundation**. * Board Member for the **Central Coast Economic Forecast**. * Board Member, **805 Sharks Lacrosse**. * Co\-Founder of the **California Central Coast Estate Planning Council**. * Member of the Advisory Council for **Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation**. * Board Member, **Little Wishes**, which grants the wishes of hospitalized children. * Member of the Economic Committee for **San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce**. In addition, Sara and I are actively involved in our children's schools, **Mission College Prep** and **San Luis Obispo High**.

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. What goals should I prioritize when creating a long‑term wealth plan?** Start by clarifying your retirement needs, lifestyle expectations, family priorities, liquidity requirements, and legacy goals. These principles guide your investment, tax, and planning decisions. **2. How can tax‑sensitive investing impact long‑term outcomes?** Tax‑sensitive investing uses strategies like tax‑loss harvesting, asset location, and direct indexing in an effort to reduce your tax drag and increase your after‑tax returns. **3. How should I approach highly appreciated assets in a tax‑efficient way?** Techniques such as 1031 exchanges, charitable gifting, and accelerated tax‑loss harvesting can help defer or mitigate taxes on highly appreciated assets. **4. Why is collaboration between my Financial Advisor, CPA, and attorney important?** Collaboration helps to promote unified planning across tax strategy, estate structure, compliance, and execution, in an effort to pursue your overall goals and enhance your long‑term outcomes. **5. How can I generate reliable cash flow after selling a business?** You can employ a mix of diversified investments, structured withdrawals, lending strategies, and income‑producing assets to help you maintain your lifestyle after the sale of your business. **6. What factors should I consider for my asset‑allocation strategy?** Ideally, you want to account for your time horizon, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, tax circumstances, and long‑term goals to design your possible allocation to equities, fixed income, alternatives, and cash. **7. What advantages come from working with a credentialed advisor?** We feel that one of the most important factors in selecting a Financial Advisor is that an Advisor should act in your best interests. The CFP® certification denotes that an Advisor is ethically bound to act in a client's best interest, backed by rigorous education and experience. \-\-\-\- Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. Asset allocation, diversification, dollar\-cost averaging and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Rebalancing may pose a tax event. Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment's investment objectives will be achieved. *Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.*

Personalized planning

**Helping you create a personalized plan** At Merrill, we go beyond the traditional role of an advisor. * Your goals, concerns and attitude about investing are the foundation of your plan. * We actively listen and provide personalized advice — ensuring we understand what matters most to you and your family. * We're committed to creating a personalized plan that evolves with you to help you live well today while preparing for the future.

Team and resources

**Giving you access to our teams and solutions** Your advisor is one part of an experienced team dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Acting as your single point of contact, your advisor provides personalized strategies and connects you with: * Bank of America specialists, such as mortgage or trust professionals * Timely insights from BofA Global Research1 to help you stay informed and navigate ever\-changing markets * A [full suite](https://www.ml.com/solutions/all.html) of Merrill investing and Bank of America banking solutions ^1^~BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS") and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker\-dealer, [Member SIPC](http://www.sipc.org/), and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").~

Recognition