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
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
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
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
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
November’s election results could have a profound effect on the estate and gift tax laws. Among a number of significant issues are...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
It’s clear that tax reform is a high priority for the Trump administration and Republican leaders in Congress. In particular, the federal estate tax remains a prime target of some lawmakers. One possible scenario is that this...more
In last week’s Tax Tip our Henry Grix succinctly described the current lay of the land regarding estate tax repeal. This Tax Tip focuses on one narrow but very important aspect in anticipating such action, or possible...more
As 2016 comes to a close, we would like to share with you a number of recent developments affecting trust and estate planning that may be of interest: Final regulations restricting valuation discounts unlikely to be...more
Each December I usually write about year-end gifting, as now is the time that many people think about gifting to loved ones, especially with the holidays upon us. In addition to making you, as well as the beneficiary of your...more
September Interest Rates for GRATs, Sales to Defective Grantor Trusts, Intra-Family Loans and Split Interest Charitable Trusts - The September § 7520 rate for use with estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs, QPRTs...more
Frequently, parents choose to transfer ownership of a home to their adult children to remove it from their taxable estates. There are many good reasons to do this, but the road is paved with tax potholes. This brief article...more
Recent federal legislation adds fresh compliance burdens to an old concept in federal tax law: the step-up in tax basis of appreciated property at death. New reporting requirements will apply to estates required to file a...more