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A reader of this column recently attended one of our tax-planning seminars sponsored by his trade association. He asked an interesting question, "How do you determine what subjects to write about in your tax columns?"

Great question. The answer is simple: About 80 percent of the items we write are based on areas of the tax law readers call and ask about or the real-life consulting problems we help column readers solve. The other 20 percent is new tax stuff and any of the hundreds of other items involving a tax problem or concern that is making the caller spin in frustration.

Here's a list of the top-10 — in order of the number calls received — reasons readers call us.

1. Maintain my (and my spouse's) lifestyle for as long as we live.

For most closely held business owners the word quitting doesn't even come up. Usually it's wanting to slow down and more — much more — golf, fishing or travel. A steady and assured flow of income for the rest of your life is essential. There are a host of strategies to accomplish this goal, depending on your age, health and a number of other factors. One of the most popular strategies is a conservative investment that earns 15.82 percent per year on average (offered by a public company — that sells on the NASDAQ).

2. Transfer/succession planning for your business.

Not only do you want to learn how to beat the IRS — legally — but you also want to learn how to keep peace in the family. While you're alive and after you're gone. Almost all callers ask, "After the transfer, how can I keep absolute control of my business and other assets for as long as I live, yet remove these assets from my estate?" Properly done, you can easily transfer your business to your kids tax-free: (no income tax, no estate tax) and still keep control.

3. Wealth transfer/estate planning.

You want to find out how others (including business owners) have used a Wealth Transfer Plan to keep all their wealth: the IRS gets none, their family keeps 100 percent. Yes, you can do it too. And, best of all, it's easy. We have done it hundreds of times for family business owners.

4. Second tax opinion.

You can't seem to get the right answers, or you keep getting conflicting answers from your professionals. Even worse, your estate plan is done, yet you will still lose a large portion of your hard-earned wealth to the IRS. You're frustrated. You need a second opinion. Get it. Here's a little test: Your estate plan is not done, unless it delivers 100 percent of your wealth to your family, all taxes paid in full.

5. Valuation of your business.

This is where the IRS can clobber you. But not if you do it right. Done right, you should get discounts (totaling about 40 percent). For example, a business worth $5 million would only be worth $3 million for tax purposes.

6. Buy/sell agreement.

When your business has more than one owner, a properly drawn buy/sell agreement is a must. It provides for a smooth transition, keeps peace in the family and guarantees keeping the business interest (usually corporate stock) in your immediate family. It also keeps the IRS out of your hair.

7. Large amounts in a qualified plan.

For example your profit-sharing plan, 401k or rollover IRA. Sorry, but the IRS can take 75 percent (or more) of your plan funds. Your family only gets 25 percent (or less). Proper planning typically turns every $25,000 of after-tax dollars in your plan into $100,000 (or more) for your family tax-free. A reader (married) recently turned $375,000 into $2.5 million of tax-free wealth, while a single reader turned $580,000 into $3.4 million.

8. Create tax-free wealth.

In order to educate your children or grandchildren.

9. Protect your assets.

Especially from creditors.

10. Eliminate the capital gains tax.

When selling appreciated assets.

Keep those phones calls coming (239-417-9732) so we can keep writing what you want to read. Or if you want to learn more about any of the 10 items listed above; or you want to learn the organized, step-by-step system we actually use in practice to solve your crucial tax problems and accomplish all of your tax goals, then call me (Irv) at the same number (239-417-9732).

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Irv Blackman is a certified public accountant who lives part-time on Marco Island and specializes in estate planning, business succession and asset protection. E-mail him at wealthy@blackmankallick.com or call 417-9732. His Web site is http://www.taxsecretsofthewealthy.com.