The New Year is here. Can you do anything to reduce your tax liability for 2018? This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, provides a few tax tips now that we’ve begun another year. Read on to learn more. Tax Tips after New Year … [Read more...] about Tax Tips after New Year
Legal Education
Selecting an Agent
Choosing the right Agent under a Power of Attorney is one of the most important choices. This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, discusses the qualities of an ideal Agent and qualities to avoid in selecting an Agent. Read on to learn more. Selecting an Agent … [Read more...] about Selecting an Agent
Nongrantor Trusts Can Be Very Useful in Certain Situations
A trust may be taxed as either a grantor trust or a nongrantor trust. Each type of trust has advantages and disadvantages. This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, examines a nongrantor trust and situations in which it might be useful. Nongrantor Trusts Can Be Very Useful in Certain Situations … [Read more...] about Nongrantor Trusts Can Be Very Useful in Certain Situations
Grantor Trusts Provide Flexibility and Ease
A trust may be taxed as either a grantor trust or a nongrantor trust. Each type of trust has advantages and disadvantages. This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, examines a grantor trust and situations in which it might be useful. Grantor Trusts Provide Flexibility and Ease … [Read more...] about Grantor Trusts Provide Flexibility and Ease
How Are Trusts Taxed?
Trusts are useful vehicles both during life and after death. This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, examines how trusts are income taxed. Grantor trusts are taxed to the grantor, regardless of whether the income is distributed to them. Nongrantor trusts are separate taxpaying entities but get a deduction for distributions to beneficiaries. Read the article to learn more. How Are Trusts Taxed? … [Read more...] about How Are Trusts Taxed?
QDRO: Not Just for Divorce Anymore
Transferring an ERISA account, like a 401(k), from one spouse to another can have substantial tax benefits, by delaying Required Minimum Distributions or avoiding early withdrawal penalties. However, one cannot simply transfer an account from one spouse to another under most circumstances without triggering adverse tax consequences. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order or “QDRO” avoids those adverse consequences. While a QDRO is most commonly used in a divorce context, divorce is not a … [Read more...] about QDRO: Not Just for Divorce Anymore
Turning the Page on 2018 and Looking Forward to 2019
As we turn the page and bid farewell to 2018, we look forward to 2019. This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, summarizes the major changes for 2019, both in the tax area and in other areas. Read on to learn more. Turning the Page on 2018 and Looking Forward to 2019 … [Read more...] about Turning the Page on 2018 and Looking Forward to 2019
Planning for Loved Ones: Education and Persons with Disabilities
This article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, examines ways for giving effectively, both to loved ones or to charity. It examines the use of 529 plans and ABLE accounts for loved ones. It examines gifting of appreciated assets to charity and bunching charitable deductions for the most bang for the buck. Read on to learn more. Being Thankful and Sharing Your Blessings … [Read more...] about Planning for Loved Ones: Education and Persons with Disabilities
Giving Back
Giving back provides many benefits, whether in life or at death. The article by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett explores ways of giving back and some of the tax benefits available, both during life and at death. The article provides a couple strategies to maximize the tax benefits, such as grouping deductions and doing a charitable IRA rollover. Giving Back … [Read more...] about Giving Back
Proposed Regulations Address “Clawback” Issue
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubled the amount which can be given free of tax. However, that amount reverts to the permanent, undoubled amount in 2026. The estate tax ordinarily includes prior taxable gifts and then applies the exclusion to the total. However, in 2026 or later, this could result in a tax on amounts which weren’t taxable when gifted. This issue is the “clawback.” New Proposed Regulations resolve this issue. Read on to learn more from my friend and colleague Steve … [Read more...] about Proposed Regulations Address “Clawback” Issue
