Changes coming in 2026, including the "haircut" rule and a new annual gross income floor will reduce the tax value of clients' charitable deductions, writes Mark Parthemer of Glenmede Trust Co. He advises strategies such as bunching donations and using donor-advised funds to maximize tax benefits in 2025. "Charitable intent doesn't begin with tax strategy -- but smart timing can make generosity go further," Parthemer writes.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is reopening after a 42-day federal government shutdown ended, but financial advisors and firms might face delays as the agency manages a backlog of filings and examinations. The shutdown also halted new advisor registrations, with compliance experts noting that it is unclear whether the statutory 45-day clock for new registrants began upon filing or when the agency reopened.

The 2026 tax filing season could be particularly challenging because of IRS layoffs, the recently ended government shutdown and tax law updates, says former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. Taxpayers should expect more mistakes, slower responses and possibly delayed refunds, says Jeff Bush of The Washington Update, who recommends that advisors plan ahead to mitigate potential issues.

Financial advisors are facing a "visibility crisis" as artificial intelligence search results significantly reduce web traffic, with a Pew Research Center study noting a decline of up to 50%. FMG Suite's Samantha Russell offers five strategies to address this issue, including building authority through client reviews, sharing expertise in the media and creating FAQ pages that match common search queries.

Estate planning is a critical component of financial advice for all clients, not just the ultra-wealthy, and allows advisors to deepen client relationships, improve retention and manage more assets over time, writes attorney Patrick Carlson. He notes that while some clients may view the topic as morbid, advisors can reframe the issue by asking spouses about how they met or using humor.

Cross-border prenuptial agreements require careful consideration of jurisdiction, legal consultation and asset disclosure to navigate varying matrimonial laws, write Brooke Elliot and Mark Haranzo. Additional asset protection planning through foreign grantor trusts, asset protection trusts and life insurance should also be considered, they note.

Long-term care planning is shifting from fear-based discussions to a focus on flexibility, according to financial advisor Nicolas Thornton. Traditional LTC insurance is less appealing due to rising premiums, prompting clients to consider hybrid life/LTC policies, annuities with LTC riders and health savings accounts, Thornton writes.