Aureus Advisory Partners
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NIL Tax & Financial Advisory for Student-Athletes and Their Families
NIL income is taxable from the first dollar. Most athletes find out the hard way. Aureus Advisory Partners builds the financial foundation that protects what you earn from the first deal through the pro contract.
NIL business structuring and entity formation
Proactive tax planning and quarterly compliance
Fractional-level financial reporting and advisory
IRS representation through Enrolled Agent credentialing
NIL TAX & FINANCIAL ADVISORY
NIL income creates tax problems most athletes and families have never faced before
A single brand deal can trigger federal income tax, state income tax, self-employment tax, multi-state filing obligations, and quarterly payment requirements that most families do not see coming.
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By the time the IRS sends the first notice, the tax bill is usually larger than expected and the planning window has closed.
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The first 1099 arrives and no one has set aside money for taxes
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A collective payment comes through the athlete's personal Social Security number instead of a business entity
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Appearance income in another state triggers a filing obligation the family did not know existed
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The athlete is paying self-employment tax that an S-Corp election would have reduced significantly
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An IRS notice arrives mid-season and there is no professional in place to respond
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April brings a tax bill the family was not prepared to pay
The athletes who win financially are the ones who get the structure right early.
Who we work with
Aureus Advisory Partners works with student-athletes and their families at every stage of the NIL journey. We specialize in catching athletes early so the financial foundation is in place before the income arrives.
HIGH SCHOOL
High School Athletes
Juniors and seniors with their first NIL deals signed. We build the entity, the tax structure, and the operating framework before college income begins.
COLLEGE FRESHMEN
College Freshmen
First-year athletes whose NIL income is becoming real. We structure the business, install the right tax election, and build the reporting that protects them.
FAMILIES
Parents and Families
Parents are part of every engagement. Aureus delivers the transparency and reassurance families need to feel confident their athlete is set up correctly.
ESTABLISHED EARNERS
Established College
Earners
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with recurring income and multi-state activity. We operate as their financial front office.
PRO TRACK
Athletes Preparing for Pro Transition
Players with draft eligibility on the horizon. We coordinate entity restructuring, signing bonus modeling, and state residency planning.
Our NIL service framework
Aureus delivers NIL support through a structured service framework that scales with the athlete's career. Most clients begin with NIL Launch, then move into one of our ongoing retainer engagements.
NIL LAUNCH
One-time business setup
LLC formation, EIN registration, NIL income structuring, and foundational guides covering taxes, banking, and money flow.
COMPLIANCE RETAINER
Ongoing, quarterly cadence
Quarterly estimated tax calculations, year-end planning, IRS notice response, and direct support when 1099s and questions arrive.
ADVISORY RETAINER
Ongoing, monthly cadence
Full bookkeeping, monthly financial reporting, owner payroll, S-Corp election, Solo 401(k) setup, tax preparation, and multi-state filing support.
STRATEGIC RETAINER
Monthly with strategy meetings
PRO ENGAGEMENT
Custom
When you sign your first professional contract, your engagement transitions to a customized Pro Engagement built around your contract and your future.
Enrolled Agent representation is built into every Aureus engagement
Most accountants serving NIL athletes cannot represent their clients directly before the IRS.
Aureus is led by an Enrolled Agent, federally licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, with the authority to represent taxpayers in any matter before the Internal Revenue Service.
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Direct IRS representation. If a notice arrives, an audit is opened, or a question gets escalated, our Enrolled Agent stands between the athlete and the IRS. No referral to another firm.
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Tax strategy backed by federal credentialing. Licensed in all 50 states for federal tax matters, not just one jurisdiction.
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Form 2848 Power of Attorney on file from the day the engagement begins.
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Up to 20 hours of IRS representation included in our Strategic Retainer. Other firms bill this separately. We build it into the engagement.
Our process
1
NIL Strategy Call
A no-cost conversation to understand the athlete's situation, income profile, deal flow, and goals.
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Engagement Setup
NIL Launch begins immediately. Entity formed, EIN registered, income structured. Most clients complete Launch within two to three weeks.
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Ongoing Retainer
The athlete transitions into the retainer that fits their income and complexity. Books set up, monthly delivery begins.
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Continued Growth
As income and complexity grow, athletes move up the retainer ladder and into Pro Engagement when contracts come into view.
This process is designed to give the athlete and family clarity at every stage before any decision is made.
Why families choose Aureus for NIL
Enrolled Agent leadership
Direct IRS representation built into every engagement. Most NIL accountants cannot offer this credential.
Service team, not solo practitioner
Bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and administrative work handled by internal staff. Consistent delivery and capacity.
Designed for the parent and the athlete
Communication, reporting, and education are designed to land with the family unit, not just one decision-maker.
NIL specialization
Collective payments, jock tax, multi-state appearance income, and pro-transition planning are not edge cases for us. They are the core practice.
Fractional CFO depth
Aureus serves founders, builders, and athletes with CFO-level advisory. NIL clients benefit from that depth.
Built for the career arc
We catch athletes early, build the foundation, scale the engagement, and continue with them into the pro transition.
Frequently asked questions
Is NIL income really taxable from the first dollar?
Yes. NIL income is treated as self-employment income, which means the athlete is responsible for federal income tax, state income tax, and self-employment tax of 15.3 percent on net earnings. No employer is withholding for the athlete.
Read more on how much Taxes NIL Athletes pay HERE.
Does my athlete need an LLC?
In most cases, yes. An LLC creates legal separation, enables business expense deductions, and is the foundation for any future S-Corporation election that reduces self-employment tax.
Read more about needing an LLC as an NIL Athlete HERE.
When does an S-Corporation election make sense?
Generally once NIL income consistently exceeds approximately $50,000 to $75,000 per year. Aureus evaluates eligibility as part of every Advisory Retainer engagement.
Read more about needing an S-Corp as an NIL Athlete HERE.
Read more about an LLC vs S-Corp for an NIL Athlete HERE.
What about state taxes? My athlete earns NIL income in multiple states.
Multi-state NIL income creates filing obligations in every state where the athlete earns. Aureus handles multi-state filing analysis as part of our Advisory and Strategic Retainer engagements.
How quickly can we get started?
NIL Launch typically begins within one week of the engagement letter being signed. Entity formation generally completes within two to four weeks.
FREE DOWNLOAD
The NIL Athlete's Tax Survival Guide
A practical guide for athletes and parents covering NIL income taxation, the four taxes every NIL athlete pays, the most expensive mistakes to avoid, when an S-Corporation election matters, and what to expect from the IRS in the first year of NIL income.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Each athlete's situation must be reviewed individually. NIL regulations vary by state and institution and continue to evolve.