Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund Investments
The lifetime estate tax exemption amount is as high as ever. The estate tax exemption amount rose from $1,000,000 in 2002 to $5,000,000 in 2011. Then, Congress doubled the amount of the estate tax exemption in 2018. As of...more
Do you employ an irrevocable trust or trusts as part of your estate plan? You need to review your irrevocable trust to ensure it still delivers the benefits intended. It is generally possible to modify an irrevocable trust,...more
Many of us would like our children to inherit our home once we are gone. More than a few of us think it makes sense to give our home to our children while we are still living. That is not a good idea! Here’s why. Loss of...more
Stepped-up basis is a tax law that applies to estate transfers when a person receives an asset from a giver after a benefactor passes away. In those circumstances, the asset receives a “stepped-up” basis – which is the market...more
In a recently-issued Revenue Ruling (Rev Rul 2023-02), the IRS has held that the basis of the assets in an irrevocable grantor trust, where the assets are not included in the grantor’s gross estate for federal estate tax...more
Recent news stories may have made you aware of the “step-up in basis” and the current administration’s desire to eliminate or adjust it. If you are considering engaging in estate planning or you may be inheriting assets,...more
Someone may have told you a story along these lines: Years ago, my grandfather bought land along the shore in (fill in a desirable resort area) for $1,000. He built a vacation home on the property for $50,000 and his family...more
When business owners have partners and consider their succession planning, the topic of a buy-sell agreement comes up. This post discusses the possible use of an “insurance-only LLC” as part of a buy-sell....more
As we start the new year, this Federal Tax Update highlights estate planning-related federal tax information that may be helpful as you consider planning options for 2022. Because Congress could pass legislation that changes...more
On Friday, May 28, 2021, the Treasury Department released the “General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2022 Revenue Proposals,” otherwise known as the “Green Book” for both the American Jobs Plan and American...more
Go After Real Estate? During the 2020 presidential campaign, there was one segment of the “rich” for which then-candidate Biden seemed to have reserved some of his harshest criticism – wealthy real estate investors....more
On April 28, 2021, President Biden announced the American Families Plan, a $1.8 trillion proposal that would fund a number of education and childcare projects....more
Over the last month, President Biden has discussed various tax proposals that will increase income taxes on businesses and high-income individuals. In the last week, we have learned more about what some of those proposals...more
It is not uncommon for a trust to have been created for a surviving spouse under a Will or revocable trust, in order to keep the assets in that trust out of the surviving spouse’s estate for estate tax purposes, when the...more
While there are many new tax policy implementations that may be imminent with the new Biden administration, there are two changes in particular that estate planning attorneys are watching closely. These include (1) a...more
Happy New Year? Ask anyone outside the United States what comes to mind when they think about an American New Year’s celebration, and the odds are pretty good they will mention the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square. ...more
2020 has been a year to remember for so many reasons: a global pandemic, the race to a vaccine, and an election with record-breaking voter turnout. President-elect Joe Biden and his running mate Vice President-elect Kamala...more
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in 2020 each person may transfer up to $11,580,000 without incurring a gift or estate tax. This generous exemption amount will sunset at the end of 2025, which means that in 2026, the...more
We’re roughly a month from Election Day, and I think it’s safe to say many Americans have strong opinions about who should be our President for the next four years. I also think it’s safe to say taxes are not the top...more
November’s election results could have a profound effect on the estate and gift tax laws. Among a number of significant issues are...more
The U.S. Department of Treasury published Final Regulations for the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program on January 13, 2020, which answer many, but not all, of the questions arising from the Proposed Regulations released...more
Very often, tax consequences determine how successful the sale of a business ultimately is. Owners often focus only on top line price, while structure and tax treatment can make a significant impact on how much of the...more
If a person is in line to inherit property from a parent or other loved one, it’s critical to understand the basis consistency rules. Tax law provides that the income tax basis of property received from a deceased person...more
Below are questions submitted by the audience during our webinar Window of Opportunity: The IRS Issues Initial Guidance on Qualified Opportunity Zone Rules. The webinar was on November 2, 2018. Here’s the presentation from...more
We have published our whitepaper: Gain Deferral Using Qualified Opportunity Zone Investment Strategies Legal Update. “Qualified Opportunity Zones” are not specific to renewable energy and do not involve tax credits but...more