There are many people who have ideological difficulties with the fairness of the federal estate tax. Where does this idea come from? Throughout your life, you pay taxes on your income, and this includes investment income, even though you make investments with assets that you have left over after paying income taxes. Of course, there are also property taxes, sales tax on your purchases, and somewhat hidden taxes on things like energy, communication, hospitality, gasoline, alcohol, tobacco, … [Read more...] about The History of the Federal Estate Tax
Estate Tax
Is There a Federal Inheritance Tax in the United States?
There are terms that are used in the field of estate planning that can sound interchangeable, and this can lead people to misguided beliefs. This dynamic enters the equation when it comes to death taxes. You may assume that an inheritance tax and an estate tax are identical. The idea is that these are just two different terms that can be used to describe the same thing. If you are not an estate planning professional, this assumption may make sense, because they do sound quite similar. In … [Read more...] about Is There a Federal Inheritance Tax in the United States?
Isn’t a Trust Just a Glorified Will?
People sometimes assume that a trust is a somewhat glorified legal device that accomplishes the same thing that a will would accomplish. In fact, there are different types of trusts. Trusts can satisfy objectives that a will would not satisfy. Let's look at some of these scenarios. Estate Tax Exposure The federal estate tax is a legacy threat to high net worth families. This tax carries a 40 percent top rate, so we are talking about a very significant level of taxation. The good news is … [Read more...] about Isn’t a Trust Just a Glorified Will?
Estate Tax Strategy for Appreciable Assets
There are things that you can do to potentially transfer assets at a tax discount if your estate is going to be exposed to the federal estate tax. This tax is applicable on transfers that exceed the amount of the federal estate tax exclusion. For the rest of this year, the exclusion is $5.43 million, but it is going up to $5.45 million next year after an inflation adjustment is applied. If you are married, you can use the unlimited marital deduction to transfer unlimited assets to your spouse … [Read more...] about Estate Tax Strategy for Appreciable Assets
Estate Tax Strategy for Appreciable Assets
There are things that you can do to potentially transfer assets at a tax discount if your estate is going to be exposed to the federal estate tax. This tax is applicable on transfers that exceed the amount of the federal estate tax exclusion. For the rest of 2015, the exclusion is $5.43 million, but it is going up to $5.45 million in 2016 after an inflation adjustment is applied. If you are married, you can use the unlimited marital deduction to transfer unlimited assets to your spouse … [Read more...] about Estate Tax Strategy for Appreciable Assets
Annual Gift Tax Exclusion Will Remain Constant in 2016
Since we are getting near the end of 2015, certain parameters that are relevant to the field of estate planning are subject to adjustments for 2016 to account for inflation. We recently passed along information about the unified federal gift and estate tax exclusion. It has been $5.43 million throughout this year, but it is going up to $5.45 million in 2016. This is not the only the exclusion that you can use to give gifts to others in a tax-free manner. There is also an annual gift tax … [Read more...] about Annual Gift Tax Exclusion Will Remain Constant in 2016
Can a Surviving Spouse Use Two Estate Tax Exclusions?
The federal estate tax exclusion is the amount that can be transferred before the estate tax would become applicable. However, if you are married to an American citizen, you do not have to use any of your exclusion to transfer assets tax-free to your spouse. There is an unlimited marital deduction that allows for unlimited transfers between citizen spouses. For the remainder of the 2015 calendar year, the exact amount of the estate tax exclusion is $5.43 million, and the maximum rate of the … [Read more...] about Can a Surviving Spouse Use Two Estate Tax Exclusions?
Do You Have to Report an Inheritance as Taxable Income?
You may be concerned about taxes that your loved ones may have to pay when they receive their inheritances. We will examine some taxes that can come into play, but first, we should look at regular income taxes. There is usually very little good news to pass along with regard to taxation, but this case is an exception. In fact, an inheritance is not considered to be taxable income, so your loved ones would not have to report their inheritances when they file their returns. Plus, appreciated … [Read more...] about Do You Have to Report an Inheritance as Taxable Income?
What Questions Should I Ask an Estate Planning Attorney?
When you become an adult in your own right, you have a certain set of basic responsibilities. There are probably family members who depend on you, and you if you are like most people, you take your responsibilities to heart. You should definitely carry this perspective over to the realm of estate planning. Unfortunately, many otherwise responsible people are unprepared for an event that is definitely going to happen to all of us. When you devise your estate plan, you are not planning for your … [Read more...] about What Questions Should I Ask an Estate Planning Attorney?
Estate Tax: Citizenship Can Be a Factor
The federal estate tax is potentially applicable on asset transfers to anyone other than your spouse. It is possible to use the unlimited marital deduction to transfer any amount of property to your spouse free of the death tax. There is a gift tax that exists to stop people from giving gifts in an effort to avoid the estate tax. This unlimited marital deduction also applies to lifetime gift giving. The estate tax exclusion is $5.43 million. This is the amount you could transfer to anyone … [Read more...] about Estate Tax: Citizenship Can Be a Factor
