Join hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA, and John Tripolsky as they welcome transformational coach Curtis McCullom to explore the powerful connection between mindset and money. Discover how childhood programming shapes your financial decisions and learn to overcome the invisible barriers holding you back.

What You'll Learn:
• Why 95% of your behavior is driven by subconscious programming from ages 0-5
• How limiting beliefs about money sabotage your financial success
• The difference between conscious goals and subconscious resistance
• Why "success is hard" programming keeps you stuck
• How to identify and eliminate financial blind spots

Key Insights:
Curtis shares his breakthrough, discovering that a belief formed at age 2 ("success is hard and difficult") was sabotaging his million-dollar financial services career. Learn how beliefs like "money don't grow on trees" or "tax planning is only for rich people" create invisible barriers to wealth building.

Guest Spotlight:
Curtis McCullom brings 40+ years of financial services experience plus expertise in transformational coaching. He specializes in helping entrepreneurs and high achievers eliminate childhood programming that limits their success.

Practical Takeaways:
• Question limiting beliefs: "Is this true for everyone?"
• Guard your mindset daily - it's not a one-and-done fix
• Recognize that you have all the resources within you to succeed
• Address the baggage before implementing financial strategies

Resources:
Find a tax professional at www.2025.tax

Episode Sponsor:
Legacy Lock
Book a 30-minute complimentary discovery session at teachingtaxflow.com/legacy
(Mention Teaching Tax Flow for special pricing)

• (00:00) - Exploring Money Mindset with Curtis McCollum
• (04:54) - Transformative Journeys and Mindset Shifts for Personal Growth
• (08:02) - Subconscious Beliefs Impact Financial Responsibility and Mindset
• (13:37) - Mindset, Money, and Overcoming Fear of Financial Control
• (15:30) - Identifying and Overcoming Blind Spots in Personal Growth
• (16:38) - Uncovering Subconscious Beliefs That Sabotage Success
• (20:15) - Overcoming Financial Roadblocks Through Mindset and Awareness
• (26:45) - Clearing Mental Baggage for a Focused and Agile Mindset
• (31:25) - Unlocking Personal Growth Through Self-Awareness and Tax Education
• (36:21) - Investment Advice and Legal Disclaimers for Financial Services

Episode 142: Hidden Taxes Exposed - The Taxes You Don't See Coming

Join hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA and John Tripolsky as they shine a light on the "cockroach taxes" that hide in the dark - those sneaky hidden taxes that have nothing to do with your income level but can significantly impact your wallet.

What You'll Learn:
• The #1 hidden tax affecting everyone: Sales tax (45 states + DC)
• How travel industry taxes can add 40% to your booking costs
• Franchise and excise taxes for business owners
• Real estate transfer taxes that hit even loss transactions
• "Sin taxes" on alcohol and cigarettes with shocking state variations
• Hotel occupancy and rental car taxes that inflate travel costs

Key Takeaways:
Hidden taxes are non-income based taxes you pay without filing returns. From California's $800 LLC fee to New York's $4.35 per pack cigarette tax, these taxes can add thousands to your annual expenses. Learn which states have the highest burdens and how to plan around them.

Eye-Opening Examples:
• Florida's 0.7% real estate transfer tax on ALL property sales
• New York cigarette taxes costing smokers $1,500+ annually
• Hotel taxes adding 15% to your lodging costs
• Ticketmaster-style "convenience fees" of 25-35%

Resources:
Find a tax professional at www.2025.tax

Episode Sponsor:
Strategic Associates, LLC
Roger Roundy
www.linkedin.com/in/roger-roundy-86887b23

• (00:00) - Uncovering Hidden Taxes and Their Impact on Your Wallet
• (03:31) - Hidden Taxes: Sales, Travel, and Franchise Fees Explored
• (07:37) - Californians Moving and Making Friends in Franklin Tennessee
• (08:05) - Understanding Real Estate Transfer Taxes and Their Implications
• (12:31) - Exploring Sin Taxes and Their Impact on Consumption
• (19:05) - Exploring Local Tax Initiatives and Community Engagement

Join hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA, and John Tripolsky as they break down the often-confusing world of gift taxes in this comprehensive Gift Tax 101 episode.

What You'll Learn:
• Who pays gift tax (spoiler: it's not who you think!)
• The 2025 annual gift tax exclusion of $19,000 per recipient (2024 = $18,000)
• How married couples can strategically gift up to $36,000 per recipient
• Why gifting appreciated assets is usually a bad idea
• Smart strategies for wedding expenses and family financial support
• Advanced planning with 529 super-funding and valuation discounts

Key Takeaways:
The donor (gift giver) pays any gift tax and files returns, not the recipient. Most gift tax returns are informational only, with no actual tax owed. Learn practical strategies, such as timing gifts across tax years and paying tuition or medical expenses directly to providers, to avoid gift tax implications entirely.

Advanced Strategies Covered:
• 529 plan super-funding up to $95k per beneficiary in 2025 (2024 = $90k)
• Valuation discounts for closely-held businesses
• Gift splitting for married couples
• Estate tax planning considerations

Resources:
Find a tax professional at www.2025.tax
Join/Comment > www.DefeatingTaxes.com

Episode Sponsor:
Integrated Investment Group

www.integratedig.com

• (00:00) - Understanding Gift Taxes and Their Impact on Financial Success
• (02:32) - Understanding Gift Tax and Estate Planning Strategies
• (09:54) - Gift Tax Strategies and Planning Opportunities for Families
• (18:10) - Advanced Gift Tax Strategies and Estate Planning Insights
• (23:17) - Crocheting Business Success and Gifting Tax Implications