If you can’t explain it, you shouldn’t recommend it

One of the fastest ways to lose credibility with a client?

Saying: “That’s too complicated.”

Because what clients hear is: “I don’t really understand it either.”

And to be fair, some strategies are complex. Oil and gas investing is one of them.

But complexity isn’t a reason to ignore something – especially when it keeps coming up in conversations with the clients you want to serve well.

This isn’t about becoming an oil & gas expert overnight.

It’s about being able to:
– Understand how these investments work
– Explain the tax implications clearly
– Help clients evaluate whether it fits into their broader plan

Because just like anything else we talk about in tax planning, Taxes should inform the decision, not drive it.

You don’t need to have all the answers to start having better conversations; you just need a clearer understanding of how these opportunities actually work, because avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the complexity go away – it just increases the chances your client looks somewhere else for answers.

If you’re the kind of advisor who doesn’t want to say “I don’t know” when clients bring this up, this is a solid next step: Click here to explore Oil & Gas Investing: The Definitive Guide for RIAs.

It breaks down oil & gas investing specifically for advisors, without turning it into a sales pitch or a “tax hack.”

We’ll also have Invito Energy Partners joining us as a sponsor at THE SUMMIT 2026, so you’ll have a chance to connect with them directly and continue the conversation in person.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about adding another strategy to your toolbox just for the sake of it. It’s about being the advisor who can confidently say: “Let’s talk through it.”

Happy Tax Planning,
Steven Jarvis, CPA