2025 Release Notes

v3.4g is the last 2025 version. Verified buyers are entitled to free updates until the next year’s version (2026) is released with updated tax brackets. The update link is included in the deliverables at purchase. You can also message the Etsy shop owner for a link to download the latest version for your tax year.

For the most current release notes, click this link.

2025 Release Notes

v3.4 12/28/25

  • v3.4a – Commercial and Extended Commercial versions now available!
  • v3.4b:
    • Renamed Full version to Personal version.
    • Limited # of saved Scenario Sets on Basic/Personal.
    • Disabled exporting on Basic/Personal.
    • Added persistent watermarks to all pages & PDFs.
  • v3.4c:
    • Added blank-cell formatting to clean-up routine
    • Additional release automation
    • Includes Additional Features and Experimental Features when importing from previous version.
  • v3.4d:
    • Added base tax years as input for each tax calc.
    • Changed “Adj Income Target” to use “Start Year” as the basis instead of “Roth Conv Start Year”.
    • Added support for after-tax IRA contributions.
    • Improved Roth Optimizer algorithm performance.
    • Improved Monte Carlo algorithm performance.
  • v3.4e:
    • Made watermarks a clickable link to license web page.
    • Added PDF Directory to bypass user dialog.
    • Added File Directory for import/export dialog default.
    • Added version to Control Panel caption.
    • Fixed IRMAA calc for head of household filers.
    • Enhanced release automation.
  • v3.4f:
    • Added button for commercial macros.
    • Grayed out disabled buttons based on version type.
  • v3.4g:
    • Added subdirectories to commercial macros.
    • Clarified error message on file import.
    • Moved Roth Optimization text to Feature Guide.
    • Moved Monte Carlo text to Feature Guide.

v3.3 12/21/25

  • v3.3a – Now supports Mac Excel in addition to Windows Excel!
    • Added support for the latest version of Excel for Mac (Microsoft 365)
    • Added ability to import Scenario Sets directly from previous versions in addition to previously exported files.
    • Improved performance of import and export functions.
  • v3.3b: Fixed minor cosmetic errors discovered in v3.3a.
  • v3.3c:
    • Added message boxes to the Load and Save buttons.
    • Added logic to unhide hidden sheets to PDF buttons.
    • Added settings for Experimental Features.
    • Added named formulas for previous row references.
  • v3.3d:
    • Created BaseTaxYear global variable.
    • Fixed spelling and grammar errors.
    • Added Experimental Features to Scenario Sets page.
    • Made Control Panel’s position persistent across sessions.
    • Added macro for copying blue columns from previous version. Only visible via macro menu (Alt+F8).
    • Added licensing watermark to worksheets and PDFs.

v3.2 12/13/25

  • v3.2a – Now supports Long-Term Capital Gains!
    • Changed Social Security benefit so the value is based on 2025 instead of the SS Start Age
    • Split the Investment income bucket into Fixed and Equities
    • Added a capital gains tax bracket and calculation for the Equities bucket
    • Created an NIIT column so people can easily see the NIIT impact.
  • v3.2b: Added NIIT to Total Tax on Main worksheet.
  • v3.2c:
    • Cleaned up formulas for readability.
    • Added the dividends from equities to taxable income.

v3.1 12/2/25

v3.0 9/30/25

  • v3.0a:
    • Added Monte Carlo simulation
    • Added more PDF buttons.
    • Minor modifications to the button functionality to improve user experience.
  • v3.0b: Updated Monte Carlo to scale for Roth RoR and Savings RoR. Added additional metrics to Monte Carlo worksheet.
  • v3.0c: Updated Monte Carlo to target CAGR as default instead of arithmetic mean.
  • v3.0d: Updated formatting and explanations.
  • v3.0e: Changed “Roth Conv Amount” to “Taxable Income Target” to improve clarity.
  • v3.0f: Added “tool tips” to Control Panel and buttons to import and export the saved Scenario Sets.
  • v3.0g:
    • Fixed minor issue with the first year of conversions when there is still large income.
    • Changed “Taxable Income Target” to “Income Target” since it isn’t decremented by the standard deduction.
  • v3.0h:
    • Added error checking to the import function.
    • Moved Instructions and Release Notes to Community Site.
    • Enabled loading and saving scenario sets for Basic version.

v2.2 9/13/25

  • v2.2a
    • Made enhancements to the userform to improve usability and performance.
    • Updated code for supportabilty and maintainability.
    • Added check for start/end year changes to Refresh and Load buttons.
    • Updated taxable income to 85% of Social Security instead of 100%
  • v2.2b:
    • Removed IRA withdrawal column and Improved formulas to optimize automatic IRA withdrawal calculations.
    • Added background section to clarify IRA withdrawal methodology in the Instructions.
    • Renamed column headers and added cell notes on Main sheet to better describe IRA withdrawal methodolgy.
  • v2.2c:
    • Added a hidden information field (column K on Main worksheet) to show the Roth Conversion portion and IRA distribution portion of column J.
    • Added additional documentation on Roth Conversion Optimizer worksheet and adjusted field naming for consistency.
  • v2.2d: Updated Roth Conv Amount formula to take IRA all the way to zero where appropriate.
  • v2.2e: Added toggle button to show/hide columns K and L on the Main worksheet.
  • v2.2f: Fixed issue with state pulldown in Scenario Set worksheet.
  • v2.2g: Added validation to check for blanks in Scenarios before loading.

v2.1 9/3/25

  • Added ability to disable premium features for a “Basic” version so it can be sold at a lower price point.

v2.0 8/13/25

  • Modifed the editing of Scenarios and Scenario Sets so it’s done directly in the “Scenario Sets” worksheet.
  • Added a Roth Conversion Optimization worksheet that checks all coversion values for a particular scenario to graphically show the optimal Roth IRA conversion amount
  • Added protection logic to prevent deleting all the Scenario Sets.
  • Modified the PDF button to only PDF the current Charts screen. The “PDF all” is still available via the Macros menu (Alt F8) for legacy purposes.
  • Added the ability to import and export saved Scenario Sets via the Macros menu (Alt F8).
  • Locked the sheets to prevent accidental editing. Password to unlock is “unlock”.
  • v2.0k: Added a button to allow users to unprotect the sheets if desired (at their own risk).

v1.6 8/6/25

  • Added a customizable state tax bracket
  • Updated the standard deduction to 2025 values and made it editable from the user form
  • Swapped the instructions so they matched the userforms.
  • Add new column on “Main” worksheet with automated IRMAA adjustments.
  • Changed the RMDs to start at age 75 instead of 72.
  • Fixed the label on SVM userform to show “Social Security Start Age” instead of year. Also put error check in to prevent this from being smaller than the Starting Age.

v1.5 8/2/25

  • Fixed the switching between State brackets and Filing status
  • Fixed the issue with the charts being off by one year
  • Updated the savings formula to better model the investment income

v1.4 7/29/25

  • Updated to support how the newest version of Excel handles Power Query naming

v1.3 Date 7/8/25

  • Added Release Notes
  • Added ability to move saved Scenario Sets up and down
  • Changed “Startup Values” worksheet to “Scenario Sets” for clarity
  • Added licensing info to message box on worksheet open
  • Cosmetic enhancements and instructions updates
  • Updated “Roth Cont / Withdrawl” formula to better handle negative amounts in savings.

v1.2 Original Release – 6/28/25