If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a massive tax bill and wondering, “Is there a better way?” — this episode of the Next Level Income Show is for you. I sat down with Chuck and Davis Oliver, the father-son team behind The Hidden Wealth Solution, to talk about the powerful — and legal — strategies they use to help high earners, W-2 employees, and business owners keep more of their money. And let’s be honest — it’s not about making more money, it’s about keeping more of what you already make.

Chuck kicked things off with a powerful truth bomb: “The biggest scam in life is paying taxes on the money we make, paying taxes on the money we spend, and taxes on the things we own that we already pay taxes on with already taxed money.” It hit hard — because it’s true. Most people think taxes are just something you deal with in April. But what Chuck and Davis are doing is shifting the mindset: what if you planned for taxes the same way you planned for retirement or investments?

We explored real-world case studies that showed how people reduced their effective tax rate by more than 20% using legitimate tax codes like Section 181 (for film investments) and Section 179 (through equipment leasing businesses). In one example, a W-2 employee making $1.4 million used a $225K investment to generate over $330K in tax savings. In another, a retired pilot making over $900K in income brought his tax burden down by over $240K using a strategic equipment leasing model. These aren’t loopholes — they’re written directly into the tax code. The difference is, most people (and even their CPAs) just don’t know how to use them.

We also talked about the why behind these strategies. Chuck created Hidden Wealth after becoming fed up with overpaying in taxes himself. Having been self-employed since he was 19, he realized the key to building wealth wasn’t just about smart investing — it was about reducing the drag of taxes that compound over time. If you’re not accounting for tax strategy, you’re losing money year after year, and eventually, decade after decade.

Davis shared how his own career in oil and gas opened his eyes to how the wealthy use private investments for both income and tax savings. But what’s truly inspiring is how accessible these strategies can be. You don’t need to be ultra-wealthy. If you’re a high-income earner (say $200K+ single or $300K+ married), you’re in the sweet spot. And even if you’re not there yet, understanding this now can change your financial future.

This isn’t just about money either — it’s about legacy. We covered how strategic tax planning isn’t just for you, but for your kids and grandkids. Taxes don’t go away when you die — without a plan, your estate could be taxed again, eroding the wealth you’ve worked so hard to build.

To wrap up the episode, Chuck reminded us that “there are two tax systems in this country: one for the informed and one for the uninformed — but they’re the same system.” If you’re not using these tools, you’re the one paying for those who are. If you’re interested in seeing what’s possible for your own situation, check out the free strategy session they offer at taxessaved.com.

This episode wasn’t just packed with insight — it was a wake-up call. Smart investing is key, but smart tax strategy is the multiplier. If you want to build real wealth, start with what you’re already losing — and learn how to keep more of it.