Category: Gift Tax
“This type of trust can be established to benefit your spouse, children, grandchildren and other descendants. However, it may be more appropriate in some situations than others. Getting to know the details of what an IDGT is and how it works can help you decide if it makes sense for you.” Using trusts as part […]
“The most well-known ‘death’ tax is the Federal Estate and Gift Tax. However, the reality is that few people really have to worry about the cost of federal estate taxes.” The least popular beneficiary is almost always the federal government. Most people are concerned that their estate will need to pay taxes and do what […]
“Estate planning strategies such as family limited partnerships and gifts to charitable trusts are part of an estate planning professional’s toolbox to achieve client goals, such as minimizing taxes, effectuating philanthropic plans, teaching younger generations about a family business and passing on wealth.” In the best-case scenario, you’d start talking with your estate planning attorney […]
“Simultaneously, T&E practitioners are well aware of the primary risk posed by a GRAT; namely, the mortality of a grantor during the GRAT’s term.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals addressed whether a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, or GRAT, should be included as a taxable asset in an estate where the decedent died during […]
“For many older adults, claiming Social Security early would be a big mistake. It was a mistake made by many older workers, who lost jobs in the Great Recession.” For older employees who are laid off as a result of the pandemic, the idea of an early retirement and taking Social Security benefits early may […]
“The recent decline in asset values may make gifting a more attractive estate planning technique for many individuals, especially if you are considering gifts of stock or other non-cash assets.” Gifting assets to a trust for children or grandchildren is often an important part of an estate plan. The recent article “Is Now a Good […]
“I am my late brother’s sole beneficiary on various investments held at different investment companies. I would like to divide the assets equally among three relatives.” This generous individual may be facing a number of legal and logistical hurdles, before assets in eight separate accounts can be passed to three relatives, says the article “Sorting […]
“Granting people gifts makes you and them happy. If you can tailor your generosity so not to pay tax on your largess, you will be even happier.” It’s worthwhile to understand the rules about taxes that might be triggered by your generosity, says Forbes in the article “How To Avoid Taxes When Giving Big-Dollar Gifts“. […]
“Sometimes it can be wise (or just pleasurable) to give your assets away, while you’re still alive.” Traditionally, giving assets away while still living was done in an effort to minimize tax liability at death. However, with the federal tax exemption amount at $11.4 million and growing each year with inflation indexing, federal estate taxes […]
Even if net worth is not high, a second look at your plan can be beneficial. The Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act is a good reason for people, regardless of the amount of their assets, to either create an estate plan or review an already existing plan, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle in […]
