Kessler Tax Advisory Group delivers sophisticated tax planning and advisory services for individuals, families, and businesses who demand more than compliance — they demand strategy.
20+
Years Experience
What We Do
Comprehensive Tax Solutions
From strategic planning to complex compliance, we bring clarity and confidence to your financial picture.
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Tax Planning & Strategy
Proactive, forward-looking strategies that minimize liability and maximize opportunity across all income types.
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Business Tax Advisory
Entity structuring, pass-through optimization, and ongoing advisory for closely held businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Estate & Trust Planning
Sophisticated wealth transfer strategies designed to preserve your legacy and protect assets for future generations.
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IRS Representation
Expert advocacy and representation before the IRS and state tax authorities when you need it most.
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Real Estate Tax
1031 exchanges, cost segregation studies, and tax-optimized strategies for real estate investors.
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Retirement Planning
Tax-efficient retirement strategies, Roth conversions, RMDs, and withdrawal planning.
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By the Numbers
Why Clients Choose Kessler
98%
Client Retention Rate
$2M+
Tax Savings Identified
500+
Clients Served
20+
Years Experience
Our Story
Meet Your Advisor
Built on trust, experience, and a genuine commitment to your financial future.
Enrolled Agent (EA) · IRS Licensed
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
20+ Years Tax Advisory Experience
Member, AICPA & Missouri Society of CPAs
Principal & Founder
A Different Kind of Tax Advisor
Kessler Tax Advisory Group was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that every client deserves personalized, strategic tax guidance — not just a return prepared on deadline.
With more than two decades of experience serving individuals, business owners, and families throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, our principal advisor has built a practice centered on deep client relationships, proactive planning, and exceptional execution.
Before founding Kessler Tax Advisory Group, our founder spent years at regional and national firms developing expertise across complex business structuring to high-net-worth estate planning.
“My goal is simple: help you keep more of what you’ve earned — and build a strategy for what’s ahead.”
— Kessler Tax Advisory Group
Our Philosophy
Core Values
01
Proactive Partnership
We don’t wait for tax season. Our advisors reach out year-round with ideas, updates, and opportunities tailored to your situation.
02
Transparent Communication
You’ll always understand what we’re doing and why. We translate complex tax law into clear, actionable guidance.
03
Unwavering Integrity
We recommend only what is legally sound and strategically sound. Our reputation is built on trust.
What We Offer
Our Services
Tailored tax strategies for every stage of your financial journey.
01
Tax Planning & Strategy
Individual · Business
Effective tax planning goes far beyond filing a return — it’s an ongoing process of identifying opportunities, anticipating changes, and making strategic decisions throughout the year.
Year-round tax monitoring
Income timing strategies
Deduction optimization
Capital gains planning
Multi-year projections
Life event planning
02
Business Tax Advisory
S-Corp · LLC · Partnership
Business owners face unique and often complex tax challenges. We work alongside you as a trusted advisor — helping structure your business tax-efficiently and plan for growth or transition.
Entity structure analysis
S-Corp election guidance
Owner compensation planning
Retirement plan setup
Business succession planning
M&A tax due diligence
03
Estate & Trust Planning
High Net Worth · Families
Protecting and transferring wealth requires careful coordination of tax law, estate planning, and family dynamics. We collaborate with your estate attorney and financial advisor to minimize estate taxes.
Estate tax projections
Gift & trust strategies
Charitable giving planning
Trust administration support
Generational wealth transfer
GRAT & SLAT strategies
04
IRS Representation
Audits · Notices · Disputes
Receiving an IRS notice can be deeply stressful. As an Enrolled Agent, we are federally licensed to represent you before the IRS at any level — from responding to notices to full audit defense.
Audit representation
IRS notice response
Offer in Compromise
Penalty abatement
Payment plan negotiation
Appeals representation
Tax Planning & Strategic Advisory
Your taxes. Your strategy. Nothing off the shelf.
Every financial situation is different. We don’t apply generic strategies to complex problems. Our process begins with a deep, individualized assessment of your tax returns and financial picture — and ends with a precision-built plan designed specifically for you.
“Strategy that fits your life, not a template.”
Our Approach
We believe the most effective tax strategy is one built entirely around you — your income, your entities, your goals, your risk tolerance.
Most tax advice is reactive. A return gets filed, a number gets signed, and another year passes without asking the harder question: what could we have done differently?
At Kessler Tax Advisory Group, we start from a fundamentally different place. Before we recommend anything, we study your situation — your tax returns, your financial statements, your entity structure, your real estate holdings.
The result is a strategy that is entirely, irreducibly yours.
I
Individual Analysis FirstWe review your actual returns and financials before making any recommendation.
C
Custom-Built StrategyNo templates. No off-the-shelf playbooks. Every plan is purpose-built.
D
Documented DeliverableYou receive a written Custom Tax Analysis Report — a tangible product, not just advice.
E
Execution SupportStrategy without implementation is just ideas. We help you execute.
The Process
Three Phases. One Coherent Strategy.
Our advisory process follows a deliberate, three-phase structure — designed to move you from a clear-eyed understanding of your current tax position to confident, coordinated execution.
01
Phase One
Tax Assessment
A comprehensive review of your tax returns, financial statements, entity structures, and real estate holdings. We identify every area of opportunity before recommending a single strategy.
Deliverable
Custom Tax Analysis Report
→
02
Phase Two
Custom Analysis Report
Your written strategy document — a thorough, plain-language analysis of your tax situation, the opportunities identified, and the specific strategies we recommend for your unique circumstances.
Deliverable
Written Advisory Report
→
03
Phase Three
Implementation & Execution
We don’t hand you a report and walk away. We work alongside you to implement the strategies identified — coordinating with your advisors and managing the plan through to completion.
Deliverable
Executed Tax Strategy
01
Phase One
The Tax Assessment
The Tax Assessment is where everything begins. Before any strategy is formed, we need to understand your complete picture — not just last year’s return, but the full landscape of your income, your entities, your real estate, and your financial goals.
This is a genuine forensic analysis of your tax situation: where money is being left on the table, where exposures exist, and where the unique characteristics of your situation open doors that standard planning misses.
The Tax Assessment is a flat-fee engagement, with add-on fees for each business entity and each real estate property evaluated for potential cost segregation.
What We Review
✓
Federal & state tax returns (3–5 years)Prior year returns reveal patterns, carryforwards, and missed opportunities
✓
Personal & business financial statementsBalance sheets and P&Ls provide context returns alone cannot
✓
Entity structure analysisHow your businesses are organized, how income flows, and what could be restructured
✓
Real estate holdings reviewEach property assessed for cost segregation and depreciation optimization
✓
Income composition & timing patternsSalary, distributions, capital gains, K-1 income — we map the full picture
Phase One Pricing
Tax Assessment Fee Schedule
Base AssessmentIndividual & joint returns, financial statements, income analysis
$1,500
Per Business EntityS-Corp, LLC, partnership, or C-Corp — add-on per entity
+$500
Per Real Estate PropertyFull assessment for cost segregation potential
+$350
The Tax Assessment fee is a flat engagement — you know the full cost before we begin. All fees are credited toward implementation if you proceed to Phase Three.
Why It Matters
Most tax strategies fail not because the ideas were wrong — but because they weren’t designed for the right situation. The Assessment exists to make sure every recommendation we give you is grounded in your reality.
02
Phase Two
Custom Tax Analysis Report
The Custom Tax Analysis Report is the primary deliverable of your engagement. It is a written, comprehensive document that translates the findings of the Tax Assessment into a clear, actionable advisory report built specifically for your situation.
Every section of your report reflects what we found in your actual returns and financial statements. The strategies we recommend are chosen because they fit your income composition, your entity structure, your real estate portfolio, and your goals.
Report Contents
✓
Current tax situation summaryEffective rates, bracket exposure, liability profile
✓
Identified opportunities & estimated savingsSpecific strategies with projected tax impact
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Entity structure recommendationsWhether restructuring could yield meaningful savings
Prioritized implementation roadmapWhat to do first, what to do next, what requires long-term planning
Phase Two Pricing
Report Fee
Custom Tax Analysis ReportIncluded in Phase One assessment fee — no additional charge
Included
The Report stands alone as a valuable, actionable document — whether you proceed to implementation or not. You own it completely.
Report Delivery
Delivered within 2–3 weeks of assessment completion
Includes a 60-minute review call to walk through findings
Written in plain language — no jargon without explanation
Fully shareable with your attorney, financial advisor, or CPA
03
Phase Three
Implementation & Execution
A strategy is only as valuable as its execution. Phase Three is where we move from analysis to action — implementing the recommendations from your Custom Tax Analysis Report with precision and coordination.
Implementation fees are structured in direct proportion to the value we help you create. Our fees are based on the amount of potential tax savings identified in your Report — so our incentives are fully aligned with yours.
Cost segregation coordinationEngaging engineering firms, reviewing studies, integrating into returns
✓
Amended return preparationWhere prior-year corrections can recover taxes already paid
✓
Retirement plan setup & optimizationDefined benefit plans, Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA
✓
Ongoing monitoring & adjustmentTax law changes, income shifts, and life events actively managed
Phase Three Pricing
Implementation Fee Structure
Up to $25,000 in identified savings20%
$25,001 – $100,000 in savings15%
Over $100,000 in savingsNegotiated
Phase One assessment fees are credited in full toward implementation. All implementation pricing is confirmed in writing before work begins.
Fully Aligned Incentives
Our implementation fee is tied to potential savings because we believe our compensation should reflect the value we create for you — not just the hours we log.
Your Report
What Your Custom Tax Analysis Report Contains
A written document built around your specific tax profile — clear enough to understand, detailed enough to act on.
§ Current Tax Profile
A plain-language summary of your current tax position — effective rates, marginal brackets, income sources, and year-over-year trends.
Effective vs. marginal rate analysis
Income composition breakdown
Year-over-year liability trends
§ Opportunity Analysis
Every savings opportunity identified, presented with projected dollar impact and strategic rationale specific to your situation.
Itemized savings opportunities
Estimated impact per strategy
Risk and complexity rating for each
§ Entity & Structure Review
A clear-eyed evaluation of how your current business structure affects your tax liability — and what changes could improve your position.
Current entity tax treatment
Restructuring scenarios modeled
Compensation strategy analysis
§ Prioritized Action Plan
A sequenced roadmap of recommended actions — organized by impact, urgency, and complexity.
Immediate actions (current year)
Short-term planning steps (1–2 years)
Long-term structural recommendations
Get Started
Ready for a Strategy Built for You?
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation and learn whether our Tax Assessment is the right next step.
Knowledge Center
Tax Resources
Guides, tools, and insights to help you navigate the tax landscape with confidence.
Featured Guides
Essential Reading
Guide · Planning
Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for 2025
A comprehensive checklist covering the key moves to make before December 31st to maximize deductions and minimize your 2025 tax bill.
Updated November 2025 · 12 min read
Guide · Business
S-Corp vs. LLC: Which Entity Is Right for You?
An in-depth comparison of tax treatment, administrative requirements, and strategic implications for small business owners.
Updated September 2025 · 15 min read
Guide · Retirement
The Roth Conversion Ladder: A Complete Guide
How to strategically convert traditional IRA funds to a Roth over time — and why now may be the right moment to start.
Updated October 2025 · 18 min read
Guide · Real Estate
1031 Exchange Rules & Requirements Explained
Everything real estate investors need to know about deferring capital gains taxes through a like-kind exchange.
Updated August 2025 · 10 min read
Guide · Estate
Estate Tax Exemptions: What Changes in 2026?
The current federal exemption is set to sunset — here’s what you need to know about potential changes and how to prepare.
Updated December 2025 · 8 min read
Checklist · IRS
Received an IRS Notice? Here’s What to Do
A step-by-step guide to responding to common IRS notices — and when to call in professional representation.
Updated July 2025 · 6 min read
Interactive Tools
Tax Calculators & Tools
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Tax Bracket Estimator
Enter your estimated income and filing status to see your effective tax rate and projected liability for the current tax year.
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Roth Conversion Calculator
Model the long-term benefit of converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth, factoring in current tax rates and future projections.
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Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Estimate your quarterly payments to avoid underpayment penalties if you’re self-employed or have significant investment income.
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S-Corp Salary Optimizer
Find the optimal reasonable compensation split between W-2 salary and S-Corp distributions to minimize self-employment taxes.
Insights & Updates
The Kessler Blog
Tax insights, planning strategies, and updates on the laws that affect your money.
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Tax Law Update
What the 2025 Tax Reconciliation Bill Means for Your Business and Personal Returns
Planning Strategy
The Backdoor Roth: Still Worth It in 2026?
May 14, 2026
Business
Mid-Year Check-In: 5 Tax Moves to Make Before July
May 2, 2026
Real Estate
Cost Segregation Studies: A Hidden Gem for Property Investors
April 21, 2026
Estate Planning
The Sunset of the TCJA Exemption — Act Now or Wait?
April 8, 2026
All Articles
Recent Posts
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Planning
Charitable Giving Strategies That Also Cut Your Tax Bill
Donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, and other tax-smart ways to give.
March 30, 2026 · 9 min read
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Retirement
RMDs in 2026: New Rules Every Retiree Should Know
SECURE 2.0 changed the RMD landscape significantly. Here’s what’s in effect now.
March 18, 2026 · 11 min read
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Business
Home Office Deduction: Who Qualifies and How to Maximize It
The home office deduction rules differ significantly for employees vs. self-employed.
March 5, 2026 · 7 min read
Investment in Your Future
Transparent Pricing
Straightforward service tiers designed to fit where you are — and grow with you.
All engagements begin with a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Pricing reflects annual advisory relationships. Project-based and hourly engagements available upon request.
Essential
Ideal for individuals and families with straightforward tax situations who want professional preparation and basic planning support.
From $750
per annual engagement
✦Federal & state tax preparation
✦One planning consultation/year
✦Electronic filing
✦IRS notice review (1 notice)
✦Email support
Most Popular
Advisory
For business owners and high-income individuals who want proactive, year-round tax planning and direct advisor access.
From $2,500
per annual engagement
✦Everything in Essential
✦Business return (1 entity)
✦Quarterly planning meetings
✦Year-round advisory access
✦Estimated tax management
✦Priority response — 24 hrs
Comprehensive
For high-net-worth families and complex business situations requiring deep, ongoing strategic tax advisory.
From $6,000
per annual engagement
✦Everything in Advisory
✦Multiple entities
✦Estate & trust tax returns
✦Wealth transfer planning
✦IRS representation included
✦Dedicated advisor access
Custom Engagements
Need Something Different?
We also offer project-based engagements for IRS representation, one-time planning consultations, business entity analysis, and more.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Yes. We work with clients nationwide via secure video conferencing and our client portal. We are licensed in Missouri and can advise on federal tax matters for clients in any state.
Your complimentary 30-minute consultation is a get-to-know-you conversation. We’ll discuss your situation, your goals, and whether our services are a strong fit. There’s no obligation and no hard sell.
The prices shown are starting points. Final pricing is determined after your initial consultation and review of your prior year returns and situation. We always provide a written engagement letter before beginning any work.
Absolutely. Many clients start at the Essential level and move to Advisory as their business or financial complexity grows. We’ll proactively recommend adjustments when we think they’re warranted.
