Energy Investments and Tax Deductions: What Accredited Investors Should Know
For accredited investors, energy investments offer some of the most powerful — and most overlooked — tax advantages in the U.S. tax code. From Intangible Drilling Cost (IDC) deductions that can offset 65–80% of your investment in the year it's made, to depletion allowances and renewable energy tax credits, the right energy strategy can significantly reduce your tax burden while diversifying your portfolio.
Whether you're a high-income earner in a peak year or a business owner coming off a major liquidity event, energy investments may be the missing piece in your tax planning strategy. At True North Private Investments, we help accredited investors access curated energy opportunities — and work directly with your CPA to make sure every deduction is working as hard as you are.
Private Credit 101: A Steady Income Stream Outside the Stock Market
Private credit offers accredited investors steady, predictable income outside the stock market. Learn how direct lending and private credit funds can diversify your portfolio and generate consistent cash flow.
How to Work With Your CPA and Financial Advisor to Minimize Taxes
Tax planning isn't a once-a-year event — it's a year-round strategy. And for high-net-worth investors, the difference between a good outcome and a great one often comes down to one thing: whether your CPA and financial advisor are actually working together.
In this post, we break down what a truly coordinated planning team looks like, the key strategies that require collaboration — including 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts, and Qualified Opportunity Zones — and how to make sure your advisors are aligned before a major financial event catches everyone off guard.
What Is an Accredited Investor and What Investments Can You Access?
If you've ever heard the term "accredited investor" and wondered whether it applies to you — it's worth finding out. Accredited status isn't just a label. It's a key that unlocks a broader universe of private investments that most people never get access to.
In this post, we break down exactly what it means to qualify as an accredited investor, the SEC's official criteria, and — more importantly — what doors it opens. From private equity and real estate-backed funds to Qualified Opportunity Zones and energy investments, we'll show you what's available and how to start putting it to work.
If you've built significant wealth and you're ready to go beyond stocks and mutual funds, this is your starting point.
Why Minneapolis Business Owners Are Rethinking Risk — And Turning to 831(b) Plans
In this post, Corey Smith breaks down why closely held business owners in Minneapolis are turning to 831(b) micro-captive insurance plans as a smarter, more strategic approach to risk management. From regulatory shifts and cyber threats to supply chain vulnerabilities, the gaps in conventional coverage are growing — and the cost of ignoring them is rising.
Corey explains how an 831(b) plan lets you create your own small insurance company to cover the risks your broker can't, while offering meaningful tax efficiency through premium deductibility and favorable investment income treatment. He also addresses the IRS scrutiny this space has faced head-on, emphasizing why proper structuring and compliance aren't optional — they're essential.
If you've been treating risk management as a checkbox, this is your sign to rethink that approach. The goal isn't to avoid taxes. It's to protect what you've built.