The Pass-Through Puzzle: Entity Optimization, Flow-Through Compression, and Long-Term Exit Planning
Fix the Structure before You Chase the Strategy.
Shrink the pass-through before it reaches the 1040.
Business owners hold the widest set of tax levers, but only if the entity structure lets you pull them. Episode 3 of Beyond the return, our 3-part mini series, closes the series with entity structure, basis traps, PTET elections and Opportunity Zone planning.
Watch Lisa Sretenovic, CPA, Joel Salas and Todd May show how to move from single-year compliance to a multi-year plan. This session is educational, technical and code-grounded, not a sales pitch.
Why This Matters
- Distributions in excess of basis
- Entity structure built for the wrong strategy
- Deferred gains due without a plan
Deferral is not elimination.
Many Opportunity Zone 1.0 gains come due at the end of 2026, so planning for that bill starts now. Details are educational only and vary by client.
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What You'll Learn
- Why entity structure comes before every other tax strategy
- How reasonable compensation and the QBI deduction interact
- Basis and distribution traps in S corporations and partnerships
- How PTET elections and entity-level deductions shrink the pass-through
- How to plan exits and Opportunity Zone deferrals years in advance
Who This Webinar Is For
- CPAs and enrolled agents serving business owners
- Tax pros ready to move from prep to multi-year planning
- Firm owners building a coordinated advisory team
- Advisors and attorneys who plan alongside the CPA
Your Experts
Lisa Sretenovic
Managing Director, Strategic Alliances & Ecosystem Education
Lisa is the Velocity Detective, helping CPA firms build stronger, client-focused advisory services. With 30+ years of experience as a controller and CFO in both industry and public accounting, she helps accountants create the time, confidence, and processes needed to expand their advisory capabilities.
Her experience spans public accounting, real estate, SaaS, telecommunications, manufacturing, hospitality, and other industries, giving her a broad perspective on business and client needs. She specializes in business development, financial literacy, and helping firms strengthen client relationships and support long-term growth.
Lisa has also spoken at UT Austin, Baylor University, the City of Austin Small Business Expo, and industry conferences.
Joel Salas
Managing Partner, Elevated Tax Strategies
Joel Salas is a tax strategist and Managing Partner of Elevated Tax Strategies, a firm rated 5.0 on Google. He helps real estate investors, crypto holders, blue-collar business owners and high earners ($500K+) cut their tax bills through year-round planning. He’s also a speaker for investor groups and trade associations, and has been featured on JustAnswer and Bluevine.
Todd May
Chief Investment Officer, 1031 DST Group
Todd Helps Investors and Advisory Partners Bring Tax Strategy into the Picture before Decisions are Finalized. With 20+ Years in Senior Leadership, He Oversees Capital Alignment and Portfolio Positioning across Real Estate, 1031 Exchanges, Opportunity Zones, and DSTs.