Helping a client benefit from an intentionally defective grantor trust
These trusts can be advantageous to wealthier clients, but their future use in estate planning is threatened by current legislative proposals.
Taxation of Estates & Trusts
The grantor trust rules: An exploited mismatch
This article discusses the history of the grantor trust rules, how they are exploited to avoid taxes, and ways the rules might be reformed to prevent them from being used for tax avoidance.
Recent developments in estate planning: Part 2
This second part of an annual update examining developments in estate, trust, and gift taxation covers recent court cases, proposed regulations, and other IRS guidance on estate tax.
Recent developments in estate planning: Part 1
This first part of this annual update focuses on trust and gift tax issues.
Penalty for failure to report distribution from foreign trust not reduced
The penalty for failure to report a distribution from a foreign trust is not reduced when the trust beneficiary is also the trust owner.
Final regulations establish a user fee for estate tax closing letters
The letters, which the IRS provides as a courtesy to executors and other authorized estate representatives, will now cost $67.
Planning with revocable trusts after the grantor’s death
This article focuses on the key tax and reporting areas applicable to revocable trusts and the associated planning and pitfalls that arise at the grantor’s death.
Would you like SALT with that trust?
The total tax owed by a trust can be significantly affected by the location of grantors, beneficiaries, trustees, and even trust assets.
AICPA recommendations on Q1 estimates and 2020 Form 709 extensions
The AICPA has released some recommendations for practitioners concerning various issues that have arisen due to the postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals.
Revocable trusts and the grantor’s death: Planning and pitfalls
This article focuses on the key tax and reporting areas applicable to revocable trusts and the associated planning and pitfalls that arise at the grantor’s death.
Charitable income tax deductions for trusts and estates
Income tax charitable deductions for trusts and estates are governed by Sec. 642(c) — these rules are substantially different from the rules for charitable contribution deductions for individuals and corporations under Sec. 170.
Determining whether to file a joint return in the year of death
A surviving spouse has the option to file a joint return for the deceased spouse’s year of death, but several factors must be considered to determine if this is a good idea.
Unprecedented opportunities in gift planning
For clients who are projected to have a federally taxable estate and desire to gift assets to heirs, now may be the right time to implement planning strategies
Final regulations determine deductions for trusts and estates after the TCJA
The IRS issued final regulations for distinguishing trusts’ and estates’ allowable deductions from miscellaneous itemized deductions currently suspended by the TCJA.
Recent developments in estate planning: Part 2
This second of a two-part article discusses regulations on calculating the basic exclusion amount once the higher estate tax exemption expires after 2025, as well as several court cases and IRS private letter rulings.
Using trusts in divorce tax planning
A trust set up as part of a divorce settlement can ensure economic protection of the couple’s long-term obligations and provide tax benefits.
2021 inflation adjustments and tax tables issued
The IRS issued the 2021 inflation adjustment amounts and tax tables for use in preparing 2021 tax returns in the 2022 filing season. Many of the over 60 items increased from 2020.
Recent developments in estate planning: Part 1
This first part of the annual update covers trust and gift tax issues, including regulations explaining deductions permitted for trusts and estates after the TCJA eliminated miscellaneous itemized deductions for individuals.
Taxpayer allowed to challenge underlying liability in CDP hearing
A taxpayer did not have an opportunity to challenge a trust fund recovery penalty where he did not receive a letter that scheduled an Appeals conference.
Final regs. outline trust and estate expenses still deductible under TCJA
The IRS issued final regulations for distinguishing trusts’ and estates’ allowable deductions from miscellaneous itemized deductions currently suspended by the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
