Blog
Clear answers on taxes, investing, cash flow, and retirement planning. Written by our CPAs, financial planners, and team to help you reach your financial goals.
XY Planning Network alternatives (2026): when you want one team for planning and taxes
XY Planning Network is a network of independent fee-only advisors who each set their own price and decide whether to file your return. Here is how to choose among XYPN, Garrett Planning Network, NAPFA, Facet, Domain Money, and Nino when you want financial planning, tax, or both from one team.
Personal Capital alternatives (2026): beyond net worth dashboards
Personal Capital is now the free Empower Personal Dashboard. Here is how to choose among Empower, Monarch Money, Origin, Facet, and Nino, depending on whether you want to track your net worth or get a plan and your taxes filed by one team.
TurboTax alternatives (2026): when DIY tax software is not enough
TurboTax is built to file your return: DIY, Expert Assist, or Full Service. Here is how to choose among TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, Keeper Tax, Facet, and Nino when you still want seasonal tax software, or software that can grow into financial planning and tax with an in-house CPA and CFP.
Origin alternatives: how to choose when a money app with optional CFP sessions is your starting point
Origin lists a $99/yr membership (with a limited $1 first-year promo) plus bookable CFP sessions and DIY tax through April for eligible members. Here is how to choose among Origin, Nino, Facet, and Domain Money when you want a money app membership, or software that can grow into financial planning and tax with humans on one team.
Range alternatives: how to choose when a flat-fee specialist team is your starting point
Range lists Premium at $3,950/yr, Platinum at $5,950/yr, and Titanium at $12,500/yr with personal tax filing on Titanium. Here is how to choose among Range, Nino, Facet, and Domain Money when you want a specialist team membership, or software that can grow into financial planning and tax with humans on one team.
Best flat-fee financial advisors in 2026: how to compare memberships, hourly planners, and CPA-led teams
Nino Advisor is $3,600 a year with federal and state filing; Facet lists $2,600 to $8,700, Domain Money $3,900 to $9,000 in year 1, and Range $3,950 to $12,500. Here is how to compare Nino, Facet, Domain Money, Range, Harness, and Garrett Planning Network by fee shape, tax filing, and fit.
Financial advisor with tax filing included: who actually prepares your return
Nino Advisor includes federal and state filing from $3,600 a year. Facet includes partner filing from Plus ($5,500 standard), Domain Money from Strategic ($5,200 in year 1), and Range only in Titanium ($12,500). Here is who prepares the return at each, and what "included" really covers.
Garrett Planning Network alternatives: how to choose when hourly, advice-only planning is your starting point
Garrett Planning Network does not publish one hourly rate; its FAQ says rates vary by member, with no income or account minimums for hourly engagements and a fee quote after a no-obligation Get Acquainted session. Here is how to choose among Garrett Planning Network, Nino, Facet, and Domain Money when you need one-off hourly advice, or ongoing financial planning and tax on a flat fee.
Keeper Tax alternatives: how to choose when bookkeeping and tax filing are your starting point
Keeper Tax lists Monthly bookkeeping at $20/mo and annual plans from $199 to $1,199/yr with filing on Standard+. Here is how to choose among Keeper, Nino, Facet, and Domain Money when you need tax filing alone, or tax plus financial planning with a human team.
Kubera alternatives: how to choose when a paid net worth tracker for crypto, real estate, and alternatives is your starting point
Kubera Essentials is $250 a year and Kubera Black is $2,500 a year, after a 14-day trial with a $1 non-refundable fee. Here is how to choose among Kubera, Nino, Empower, and Monarch Money when you need a balance sheet alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Morgan Stanley alternatives: how to choose when a full-service Financial Advisor or a Morgan Stanley robo is your starting point
Morgan Stanley's Select UMA advisory program lists a maximum Morgan Stanley Advisory Fee of 2.0% a year (negotiated with your Financial Advisor), and its Core Portfolios robo charges 0.30% a year with a $500 minimum. Here is how to choose among Morgan Stanley, Nino, Vanguard Personal Advisor, and Facet when you want advice, planning, and tax help without a percentage-of-assets wrap.
Quicken alternatives: how to choose when desktop money management and budgeting software are your starting point
Quicken Simplifi lists at $6.99 a month billed annually ($3.99 a month first-year offer); Quicken Classic Deluxe is $6.99, Premier $8.99, and Business & Personal $12.49 a month, all billed annually. Here is how to choose among Quicken, Nino, Monarch Money, and Empower when you need tracking alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
YNAB alternatives: how to choose when zero-based budgeting and giving every dollar a job are your starting point
YNAB is $14.99 a month or $109 a year, with a 34-day free trial and sharing for up to 6 people. Here is how to choose among YNAB, Nino, Monarch Money, and Empower when you need a budget alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Betterment alternatives: how to choose when automated investing and optional Premium advice are your starting point
Betterment Digital is $5 a month or 0.25% a year (thresholds apply); Premium is 0.65% with advisor access (min $100k). Here is how to choose among Betterment, Nino, Wealthfront, and Empower when you need a robo alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Empower alternatives: how to choose when a free dashboard and optional AUM advice are your starting point
Empower's Personal Dashboard is free; Personal Strategy advisory lists 0.89% AUM on common bands. Here is how to choose among Empower, Nino, Wealthfront, and Betterment when you need free tracking alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Wealthfront alternatives: how to choose when automated investing and cash are your starting point
Wealthfront is automated investing at 0.25% plus cash management. Here is how to choose among Wealthfront, Nino, Betterment, and Empower when you need a robo alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Monarch Money alternatives: how to choose when budgeting and net worth tracking are your starting point
Monarch Money is paid budgeting and net worth software. Here is how to choose among Monarch, Nino, YNAB, and Empower when you need tracking alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
What is taxable income? Definition and example
Taxable income is income after eligible adjustments and deductions. See how it differs from gross income, AGI, and the tax you owe.
Roth IRA contribution and income limits for 2026
The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 at age 50+. Income and contributions to other IRAs may reduce your Roth IRA allowance.
HSA contribution limits for 2026
The 2026 HSA limit is $4,400 for self-only coverage or $8,750 for family coverage. Eligibility, employer deposits, and Medicare can change your limit.
What is tax-loss harvesting?
Selling an investment at a loss can offset taxable gains. Learn the steps, see an example, and avoid wash-sale mistakes.
What is the net investment income tax (NIIT)?
NIIT is a 3.8% tax on certain investment income above income thresholds. See who pays, what counts, and how to calculate it.
What is a mega backdoor Roth?
Some 401(k) plans let you make extra after-tax contributions and move them to Roth. Learn the required plan features and how to calculate your available room.
401(k) contribution limits for 2026
The 2026 employee limit is $24,500. See age-based catch-ups, employer contribution limits, and the Roth catch-up rule.
Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based Financial Advisors: What Actually Changes?
Fee-only and fee-based describe how an advisor can be paid, not the quality of the plan. Compare compensation, conflicts, fiduciary duty, tax coordination, and total dollar cost.
How to Avoid an AMT Surprise When You Exercise ISOs
Exercising incentive stock options can create alternative minimum tax before you sell a share. Here is how to size the exercise so you keep enough cash and avoid a year-end surprise.
When Should You Exercise Stock Options?
Exercise stock options when the tax, cash cost, expiration risk, and company concentration fit one plan. This framework compares ISOs, NSOs, private-company risk, and holding periods.
What is a backdoor Roth IRA?
A backdoor Roth combines a nondeductible IRA contribution with a Roth conversion. Existing pre-tax IRA balances determine how much of the conversion is taxable.
What is MAGI? How it differs from AGI
Modified adjusted gross income starts with AGI, then changes for the tax or benefit being tested. Compare the Roth IRA, NIIT, Medicare, and Marketplace definitions.
Tax Strategies for High-Income W-2 Employees
Start with a full-year projection, then compare pretax benefits, equity withholding, investment sales, and charitable giving.
What Does a CPA Plus a Financial Advisor Cost With RSUs?
Add the invoices, check which equity work is included, and assign ownership of withholding, sales, and tax filing.
A Tax and Cash Checklist for an Equity Liquidity Event
Before a tender offer, IPO-related sale, or acquisition, identify the taxable event, reserve cash, and reconcile your stock records.
RSU Tax Withholding and Sell-to-Cover
How employers fund RSU taxes, why withholding can miss your final bill, and how to check the gap before you file.
Do Roth conversions count as income?
The taxable part of a Roth conversion adds to ordinary income. See how basis, tax brackets, Medicare premiums, and other income tests affect the decision.
Why Are RSUs Taxed So High?
RSUs use ordinary income-tax rates. Learn why total withholding can look high and why it can still fall short of your final bill.
What Is a Flat-Fee Financial Advisor?
A flat-fee advisor charges a dollar amount instead of a percentage of your portfolio. Compare the math, included services, and questions to ask before signing.
How Much Does a Crypto Tax Accountant Cost?
Crypto tax fees depend on record cleanup and return complexity. Compare software, reconciliation, filing, and representation as separate services.
Domain Money Alternatives: Compare Cost and Ongoing Support
Compare Nino, Facet, and Range with Domain Money, including first-year fees, renewals, required services, and software access.
Nino Is Live in Beta
A look back at Nino’s beta: accounts, equity scenarios, and financial questions in one place, with a human team to help.
What happens when you die without a will?
State law determines who inherits probate property when there is no will. Beneficiary designations, surviving parents, and state rules still matter.
Facet Alternatives: Compare Planning, Tax Filing, and Software
Compare Nino, Range, and Domain Money with Facet by required services, annual cost, tax-filing scope, and access to software.
ISO vs. NSO: Tax Differences and a Worked Example
ISOs can create AMT before a sale; NSOs usually create compensation income at exercise. Compare the cash cost and holding-period tradeoffs.
What is a Trump Account? Eligibility and contributions
Trump Accounts are retirement accounts for eligible children. Learn who can open one, how the $1,000 pilot contribution works, and what to check before funding.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Keep the Cash?
Compare interest saved with after-tax returns, liquidity, and household risk before paying down a mortgage.
529 Plan Changes: Education Uses and Roth Rollovers
529 plans offer more education uses and a limited Roth rollover option. Check account age, contribution limits, and state treatment before moving money.
From Stock Options to Spendable Cash: The Liquidity Math
An equity valuation is not spendable cash. Subtract exercise costs and taxes, then check when your shares can actually be sold.
Should You Sell Employer Stock When It Vests?
A useful sell-or-hold decision weighs tax reserves, company concentration, and cash needs. Here is how to compare them.
How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
Translate percentage, flat, hourly, and project fees into dollars, then compare the services and extra costs in each quote.
What is QSBS? Eligibility and tax exclusion rules
Qualified small business stock may qualify for a federal gain exclusion. Acquisition date, company eligibility, holding period, and basis determine the benefit.
RSUs vs. Stock Options: Ownership, Risk, and Taxes
Compare how RSUs and stock options deliver value, when taxes arise, and what cash you need before choosing an action.
Buy, borrow, die: how it works and what it costs
Borrowing against appreciated assets can defer capital gains tax, but interest, collateral calls, and estate rules can outweigh the benefit.
How to file an 83(b) election
An 83(b) election changes when restricted stock is taxed. Learn when it applies, how to file, and what to check within 30 days of the stock transfer.
Introducing Nino
Why we built Nino: AI software to understand your finances, with optional human help to plan your finances and taxes and put the plan into action.
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