Justin Rupple
Founder & CEO
Tax Strategist
Tax Incentive Specialists is lead by founder, Justin Rupple, who has served businesses and non-profits since 2004, providing guidance and solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, retirement programs, corporate structure, expense reduction, cash flow, financial analysis and forecasting, and tax incentives. Justin makes Portland, OR his home with his wife, Amy, and their rambunctious 4 boys.
What's Available to You
01
Research & Development
Tax Credit
The R&D Tax Credit, enacted by Congress in 1981, rewards U.S. companies that innovate, expand their business, or develop or improve new or existing products or services.
02
Employee Retention Credit
If your business has suffered during the pandemic and you retained employees, you may be eligible to receive up to $26,000 per W-2 employee. There are 4 ways for your company to qualify.
03
Cost Segregation for Real Estate
Whether you own an investment building or the one you work in, you can get a tax benefit of $40K-$80K per each $1MM in building cost by having an engineering-based Cost Segregation Study done.
04
Payroll Tax Savings
With this innovative health management program, employers save at least $573 per employee and employees see an average $1500 per year in increase take home pay plus better benefits all at zero net cost.
05
Advanced Tax Strategy
Reduce your annual taxes by 20-40% with advanced strategies typically leveraged only by large corporations. We partner with your CPA to implement strategies that keep more money in your pocket year after year.
About Us
Elevated Tax Strategies, founded by Justin Rupple, is revolutionizing the way small to medium business owners and real estate investors approach their taxes. By bringing advanced tax-saving strategies typically reserved for Fortune 500 companies and the ultra-wealthy to a broader audience, Elevated Tax Strategies is enabling clients to maximize their savings and reinvest in their growth. Economic Insider is excited to share the story of how this innovative firm is helping businesses keep more of their hard-earned money.
Tax season can be a stressful time for business owners, especially when they feel they are paying more than their fair share. According to Forbes, an estimated 93% of business owners are overpaying on their taxes. The reason? Many CPAs function primarily as tax preparers rather than proactive tax strategists. This is where Elevated Tax Strategies steps in, offering a comprehensive approach to tax planning that goes beyond the standard preparation and filing services.
At Elevated Tax Strategies, the mission is clear: to uncover every dollar that can be legally saved. By collaborating closely with clients' existing CPAs and financial professionals, Justin Rupple and his team develop proactive, holistic tax reduction strategies. This partnership ensures that all potential savings are identified and maximized, allowing clients to reinvest those funds into their businesses, real estate portfolios, and overall wealth-building efforts.
Meet Our Team
Shelley Cooper
VP of Strategy
Shelley joined Tax Incentive Specialists in 2023 bringing over 20 years' experience in business consultation in the areas of HR, Payroll, Benefits, Operations, Marketing and Sales. Her commitment to client success extends beyond numbers; Shelley specializes in developing partnerships, driving heightened efficiency and helping businesses thrive. Connecting businesses with specialty service providers to help them uncover tax strategies to keep or put money in their pocket, is the most exciting and rewarding endeavor yet.
Shelley is engaged in community initiatives, serving on various Boards and supporting local causes. She resides in Tigard, OR with her husband and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Michael Fussell, JD, LLM, CPA
Senior Strategist
Advanced Tax Strategy, Multi-Entity Structure Strategies
Michael Fussell, JD, LLM, CPA, has 27 years of experience in tax law. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Management Science and minors in accounting and International Affairs. He earned his JD and LLM in Taxation from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Michael is a CPA in Georgia and Washington, an Illinois Attorney, and a member of the U.S. Tax Court. He specializes in tax strategy for closely held businesses, focusing on entity structure, asset protection, retirement planning, succession planning, and estate planning and much more. Michael resides in Atlanta, GA and practices nationwide.
Kereti Tuioti
Senior Strategist
Advanced Estate Planning, Capital Gains Strategies, Business Succession Planning
Kereti Tuioti had been a successful financial professional for over 20 years. He has collaborated with numerous top law firms, accounting firms and financial planning firms throughout the US to assist clients with their planning.
Kereti resides in Monterey, California, with his wife and 4 children where he and his family enjoy the outdoor activities of the picturesque central coast of California. He actively supports local business and charity organizations.
Zach Zimmerman
National Account Executive
Zach brings over 15 years of experience helping businesses and nonprofits increase cash flow and create efficiencies. Zach has always been community-oriented, whether through his volunteer board member work with the NH Childhood Cancer Lifeline or as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor. This passion for community drives his current work with Elevated Tax Strategies to help local and regional businesses thrive.
Zach loves to travel, and his adventures include living in Thailand, canyon hiking in Peru, and motorbiking through Northern Vietnam. He's happy to be back in New England exploring beautiful Maine with his partner Sarah and daughter Hadley.