Financial Advisor Serving Defiance, MO

Call (636) 240-5055 A fiduciary adviser with 34 years in financial services, and a separate CPA firm, in the same office, about 16 miles from Defiance.

Renaud & Company Registered Investment Advisors · 2112 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr, O'Fallon, MO 63366 · (636) 240-5055 · Meet the team

Quick answer: Renaud & Company Registered Investment Advisors is a fiduciary, SEC-registered investment adviser in O'Fallon that helps Defiance and Missouri wine country households with small-business and land planning, seasonal-income and retirement plan decisions, rural retirement income, Medicare planning, and estate coordination with their attorney. Matthew J. Renaud Sr., ChFC®, founded the firm in 1998 and has 34 years in financial services. A separate CPA firm, Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC, owned by Jeannie Renaud, CPA, shares our office. We are about 16 miles from Defiance by car, and you can also meet with us virtually.

Defiance: Daniel Boone's valley and Missouri's wine country

Defiance is an unincorporated community in St. Charles County, and a census-designated place with 159 residents at the 2020 Census spread over about 55 square miles of land (U.S. Census Bureau, via Wikipedia). The Katy Trail State Park runs through it, near the Missouri River. Frontiersman Daniel Boone settled in the Femme Osage Valley in 1799 after receiving a Spanish land grant, and the Historic Daniel Boone Home, at 1868 Highway F, is open for tours (St. Charles County). Highway 94 through Defiance is sometimes called the "Missouri Weinstrasse," and Missouri Wine Country lists the Defiance region as home to Cedar Lake Cellars, Chandler Hill Vineyards, Defiance Ridge Vineyards, and Sugar Creek Winery. The area is part of what Missouri calls the Missouri Rhineland, where vineyards are grown on both sides of the river. Most students in Defiance attend Francis Howell schools.

Those facts shape the planning questions in Defiance. People here own land, often a lot of it. Many own or work in small businesses tied to the land, the trail, or visitors. And many are retired or nearing it, on acreage a long way from the nearest city. This page covers those three groups. We are not affiliated with any winery, farm, or attraction named here; they are named only to describe the area, and a mention is not an endorsement.

Owning or running a business tied to wine, the trail, or visitors

Vineyards, tasting rooms, event venues, bed and breakfasts, bike shops, and restaurants share a few planning features: seasonal income, land and buildings that are most of the business's value, and an owner who is the business. Here is what we help owners think through, using rules the IRS publishes:

Uneven income and estimated tax. A busy fall followed by a slow winter can make estimated payments awkward. Without employer withholding, you may need to pay estimated tax during the year to avoid an underpayment penalty (IRS Topic 306). Your CPA works out the amounts and dates.
A retirement plan for the owner. For 2026, the IRS limit on total contributions for a participant in a Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA is $72,000, and a SIMPLE IRA allows salary-reduction contributions of up to $17,000. The employee limit for a 401(k) is $24,500 (IRS). With seasonal staff, the choice of plan affects who must be covered, so talk with your CPA first. See retirement planning for business owners.
Growing grapes or other crops. If you farm, Schedule J lets an individual farmer elect to average farm income over the three prior tax years (IRS). The USDA counted 299 acres of grapes in St. Charles County in 2022, and 589 farms, 85% of them family farms. Whether your activity is farming, a hobby, or something else for tax purposes is a question for your CPA.
Selling the business, the land, or both. Long-term gain is generally taxed at lower rates than ordinary income, but parts of a sale, such as depreciation recapture, are ordinary income in the year of sale, and payments over time can spread the gain (IRS Topics 409 and 705). A Section 1031 exchange applies only to real property, so equipment and inventory do not qualify, and replacement property must be identified in writing within 45 days and received within 180 days or the return due date, whichever is earlier (IRS Form 8824 instructions). A 3.8% net investment income tax can apply above $250,000 of income for joint filers, depending on how the business was owned and run (IRS Topic 559).
Handing it on. A family business or a vineyard often passes to children. Property inherited from a decedent generally takes a basis equal to its fair market value on the date of death (IRS Publication 551). Missouri does not impose an estate tax or an inheritance tax (Missouri Department of Revenue), and the federal basic exclusion amount for 2026 is $15 million per individual (IRS). The harder questions are usually who wants to run it and what the other children receive. Your attorney and CPA advise on that, and we show how the rest of your money supports it.

Landowners in the Femme Osage Valley

If you own acreage here, you probably own it for a reason that is not only financial: a family farm, a place with a view of the river bluffs, or a historic property. The planning still needs to be financial. Points to put on the list:

Topic	Facts to have in front of you	Who to talk to
Property tax	Missouri assesses land in actual agricultural use on its productive value rather than its market value, and land held for future use is assessed differently (State Tax Commission of Missouri).	Your county assessor and CPA
Passing land to children	Inherited property generally takes a stepped-up basis. Gifts during life carry over the giver's basis, and the annual gift exclusion is $19,000 per recipient for 2026 (IRS).	Your attorney and CPA
Real estate left at death	Missouri allows a beneficiary deed that transfers real estate on death without probate (RSMo 461.025). A deed may or may not suit your family.	Your attorney
Income from the land	Lease income, crop sales, and sales of the land each have their own tax treatment. Payments over time can spread a sale's gain (IRS Topic 705).	Your CPA
The rest of your money	Land is hard to sell in pieces. A plan that depends on land should also show what you would live on if you could not or would not sell.	Us, with your CPA and attorney

See estate planning coordination with your attorney. We do not give legal or tax advice.

Rural retirees: income, Medicare, and the long way to town

Retirement in a place this sparsely settled has its own logistics: depending on where you live, shopping, doctors, and other services may be a drive away. We do not rank those choices. What we can do is build the money plan around them:

Which account to draw from first. Withdrawals from taxable, pre-tax, and Roth accounts are taxed differently, and we compare the order with your CPA. Required distributions generally begin at age 73 or 75, depending on your birth year (IRS).
Medicare. Enrollment, supplemental coverage, and the income-related premium are separate decisions. For 2026 the income-related charge starts above $109,000 for single filers and $218,000 for joint filers, and Social Security generally uses your tax return from two years earlier. See our IRMAA planning guide.
Missouri tax on Social Security. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, Missouri lets a resident age 62 or older subtract 100% of the Social Security benefits included in federal adjusted gross income (RSMo 143.125).
Giving. A qualified charitable distribution from an IRA, available from age 70½, counts toward the required amount without being included in your income, up to $111,000 per person for 2026 (IRS Notice 2025-67). It can go straight to a church, a historical society, or another eligible charity.
Old 401(k)s. A direct rollover moves the money straight to an IRA or another plan with no tax withheld; if the plan pays you instead, 20% federal tax is generally withheld, and you have 60 days to roll over the full amount (IRS). See our 401(k) rollover guide.

Taxes and your investments together

Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC, a CPA firm owned by Jeannie Renaud, CPA, is separate from Renaud & Company and shares our office. It prepares tax returns and does tax planning, including for small businesses and farms. With your permission your adviser and your CPA can coordinate on withdrawals, land and business sales, and self-employment income. Each firm has its own engagement, and you can use either one without the other, or bring your own tax professional. See how a financial advisor and CPA plan together, or visit Renaud Tax & Accounting.

Getting to our office from Defiance

Our address: 2112 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive, O'Fallon, MO 63366. Defiance and O'Fallon are both in St. Charles County, but Defiance is in the southwest corner and the drive is mostly on county and state roads.

By car from the center of Defiance:

Take Defiance Road to Highway 94.
Turn left onto Route DD and follow it about 8 miles.
Turn left onto Sommers Road, then right onto Route N, and join Route 364.
Take the exit for Bryan Road (Route N), turn left, and follow Bryan Road about 2 miles.
Turn left onto Bryan Valley Commercial Drive. Our office, at 2112, is a short way along this road.

By this route, it is about 16 miles from the center of Defiance. We have not listed a drive time because it changes with traffic, and these are two-lane roads for much of the way. Routes and closures change, so check your maps app before you leave. If you want to be sure of the final turns, call us at (636) 240-5055 and we will talk you through them.

Prefer not to drive? You can also meet with us virtually from anywhere.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Hours are extended in tax season, which runs February 1 to April 15, 2027 and varies by week.

Who to talk to

Matthew J. Renaud Sr., ChFC®, President and Founder, has led the firm since 1998 and has 34 years in financial services. Matthew Renaud Jr., AWMA®, is a separate Investment Advisor Representative at the firm. Jeannie Renaud, CPA, is the owner of Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC, a separate CPA firm in the same office. Meet the team.

What to bring to a first meeting

Your most recent statement for each retirement account, including any 401(k) at a past employer
For a business: last year's profit and loss, your last two federal tax returns, and any buy-sell or valuation papers
For land: the deed, any leases, and a list of who owns each parcel
Your Social Security statement, and your Medicare premium letters if you have them
Your estate documents, or the names of your attorney and tax professional
Any dates that matter: a retirement date, a planned sale, or the date you turn 65

Renaud & Company Registered Investment Advisors · 2112 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr, O'Fallon, MO 63366 · (636) 240-5055 · Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Fri 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (extended hours in tax season)

FAQ

Do you serve clients in Defiance?

Yes. Our office is at 2112 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr in O'Fallon, and we work with households in Defiance, St. Charles County, and across the St. Louis area. You can meet with us in person at our O'Fallon office, or virtually from anywhere, including from another state.

How far is Defiance from your office, and what is the route?

Our office at 2112 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr in O'Fallon is about 16 miles from the center of Defiance by car. Take Highway 94 to Route DD, turn left onto Route DD and follow it about 8 miles, turn left onto Sommers Road, then right onto Route N and join Route 364, take the exit for Bryan Road, turn left, follow it about 2 miles, and turn left onto Bryan Valley Commercial Drive. Check your maps app before you go, because routes and traffic change, or call (636) 240-5055 for help with the last turns.

I own a small vineyard or farm. Can you help with taxes and retirement?

We help with the retirement and investment side: what you will live on, which accounts to draw from, and how a sale or transition affects your income and Medicare premiums. Your CPA handles the tax return, and Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC, a separate CPA firm owned by Jeannie Renaud, CPA, can do that if you want. Your attorney advises on ownership and succession.

My business income is seasonal. How should I handle estimated tax?

Without employer withholding you may need to pay estimated tax during the year to avoid an underpayment penalty. Ask your CPA to project the year, especially after a strong season, and to set payment amounts and dates. We can help you set aside cash from the busy months to cover the slow ones and the tax.

What retirement plan can I set up for myself and a few seasonal employees?

For 2026, the IRS limit on total contributions for a participant in a Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA is $72,000, and a SIMPLE IRA allows salary-reduction contributions of up to $17,000. Which plan is right depends on your income and on which employees must be covered, so the plan choice should be made with your CPA.

If I sell my winery or event venue, is the gain taxed at capital gain rates?

Part of it may be. Long-term capital gain is generally taxed at lower rates than ordinary income, but some parts of a sale, such as depreciation recapture, are ordinary income in the year of sale. A 3.8% net investment income tax can apply above $250,000 of income for joint filers, depending on how the business was owned and run. Payments over time in an installment sale can spread the gain. How the deal is structured matters, so involve your CPA and attorney before you sign.

Can I swap the land for other property without paying tax right away?

A Section 1031 like-kind exchange applies only to real property, so equipment, inventory, and the business itself do not qualify. For a deferred exchange you must identify replacement property in writing within 45 days of the sale, and receive it by the earlier of 180 days or the due date of your return. Your CPA and the exchange intermediary handle the mechanics.

Does Missouri tax my Social Security benefits?

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, Missouri lets a resident age 62 or older subtract 100% of the Social Security benefits included in federal adjusted gross income, regardless of filing status or income. Federal tax on Social Security is a separate question. Your CPA can confirm how both apply to you.

What is a Missouri beneficiary deed?

Missouri allows a deed that transfers real estate to a named beneficiary when the owner dies, outside probate (RSMo 461.025). It may suit some families and not others, because it interacts with your will, trusts, and co-owners. This is a question for your attorney. We help make sure your accounts also match your plan.

Can I give money from my IRA to a church or historical society?

If you are at least 70½, a qualified charitable distribution moves money straight from your IRA to an eligible charity. It is not included in your income and can count toward your required minimum distribution, up to $111,000 per person for 2026. It must go directly from the IRA trustee to the charity. Your CPA confirms how it applies to your return.

What should I bring to a first meeting?

Bring your latest account statements, last year's business profit and loss if you own a business, the deed and any leases for land you own, your last two tax returns if you want them reviewed, the names of your tax professional and attorney, and any dates that matter, such as a retirement date or a planned sale.

Nearby towns we serve: St. Charles · St. Paul · Lake Saint Louis · O'Fallon

Next step: Call (636) 240-5055 or email info@renaudco.com to book a 45-minute coordination meeting with the team. No product pitch. If we are not the right fit, we will say so.

Important disclosures: Renaud & Company, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. We are fiduciaries when we provide investment advice. We are not affiliated with any winery, vineyard, farm, attraction, or school district named, or any employer, company, school system, or retirement system named on this page, which are named only to describe the area or the kinds of decisions people face. Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC is a separate, affiliated firm; tax preparation and accounting services are provided by that firm under a separate engagement. Renaud & Company, LLC and its advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Our Form ADV Part 2A and Form CRS describe our services and conflicts of interest and are available at adviserinfo.sec.gov or on request. This page is educational and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Census and USDA figures describe the area as a whole and not any client; a business named on this page is not endorsed. Directions are for convenience and may change; confirm before you travel. Rules and figures are as published by the IRS, the State of Missouri, CMS, the SEC, the USDA, the Census Bureau, and the Social Security Administration as of October 28, 2026 and can change. There is no guarantee that any plan or strategy will achieve any particular result.