Many individuals mistakenly believe that they need a large estate before concerning themselves with taxes at their death. While the Federal government does not impose taxes until an estate exceeds the Applicable Exclusion Amount, it’s important to the role that state estate and inheritance tax play, as well as a beneficiary’s own financial picture. Without careful consideration regarding the source of payment, disastrous consequences result. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Understanding Tax Apportionment Clauses
Pondering Portability
The Internal Revenue Code grants spouses several tax benefits both during life and at death. Portability represents one of those benefits. Portability allows the surviving spouse to use the unused portion of the Applicable Exclusion Amount from their predeceased spouse. In Revenue Procedure 2022-32, the Internal Revenue Service extended the time during which a surviving spouse may elect portability without a Private Letter Ruling from two years to five years. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Pondering Portability
More than Just Salad Dressing: The Ongoing Saga of Newman’s Own Foundation
When a famous individual dies, it’s always interesting to see how they set up their estate, if they bothered to undertake estate planning at all. These cases provide great lessons for Estate Planning practitioners both about what to do, as well as about what to avoid. In some cases, even when celebrities take the time to set up a proper estate plan, things go wrong. Paul Newman’s estate represents one such situation. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about More than Just Salad Dressing: The Ongoing Saga of Newman’s Own Foundation
What the Proposed Treasury Regulations Mean for Deductions Under Internal Revenue Code Section 2053
To determine a decedent’s taxable estate, the Internal Revenue Code allows the decedent’s estate to utilize several deductions in various Code Sections, including Section 2053. The Treasury Regulations associated with Section 2053 were favorable to the taxpayer and contained broad language regarding the deductibility of claims and expenses. Recently, the Internal Revenue Service promulgated Proposed Treasury Regulations that would narrow the benefit of taking certain deductions to an estate. … [Read more...] about What the Proposed Treasury Regulations Mean for Deductions Under Internal Revenue Code Section 2053
Discharge of Indebtedness Income and Student Loan Forgiveness
While many taxpayers may be excited about the prospect of reduced loan balances as part of Biden’s Loan Forgiveness Program, they may have questions about the potential tax consequences of that forgiveness. Under normal circumstances, creditors that discharge debt issue a corresponding Form 1099-C Cancellation of Debt to the debtor for inclusion in that year’s income. While the administration works out the kinks in the loan forgiveness plan, it’s important to understand the current provisions of … [Read more...] about Discharge of Indebtedness Income and Student Loan Forgiveness
Death and Your Digital Footprint
As more and more individuals get comfortable in the digital world, Estate Planning has evolved to address the collection and transfer of digital assets. The widespread use of a legacy contact and password managers gives owners of digital content control in determining what happens to the digital information after they die. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Death and Your Digital Footprint
The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part II
As part of the Estate Planning process, an attorney explores numerous topics with the client to help create a unique plan tailored to the client’s circumstances. Many estate plans use a trust as the centerpiece of the plan. Some clients want to explore asset protection and let the attorney know they want to consider offshore planning. Sometimes, offshore planning works, but often it causes additional issues. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part II
The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part I
As part of the Estate Planning process, an attorney explores numerous topics with the client to help create a unique plan tailored to the client’s circumstances. Many estate plans use a trust as the centerpiece of the plan. Inevitably, clients want to understand the degree, if any, of asset protection that will result from the creation of a trust. There are numerous ways to achieve asset protection planning for a client. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Intersection of Asset Protection Planning and Estate Planning – Part I
What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part II
As interest rates continue to climb, Estate Planning practitioners look to different planning techniques to take advantage of rising rates. Two common estate planning techniques work well in higher-interest rate environments. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part II
What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part I
Interest rates were at historic lows for many years. Those rates have begun to rise in recent months and may continue to do so. Practitioners need to monitor interest rates in order to advise clients regarding the most effective Estate Planning strategies in any environment. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about What’s Estate Planning Got to do with Interest Rates – Part I
