Types of Trusts

Trusts as S corporation shareholders

Generally, a trust cannot hold stock of an S corporation; however, grantor trusts, testamentary trusts, voting trusts, ESBTs, and QSSTs are permissible S corporation shareholders (Sec. 1361(c)(2)).

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 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.

Recent developments in estate planning: Part 1

This article is the first of two parts of an annual update on developments in trust, estate, and gift taxation. Part 1 discusses developments affecting trusts and the generation-skipping transfer tax, as well as inflation adjustments.

Unexpected tax bills for simple trusts after tax reform

Post-TCJA, expenses that are miscellaneous itemized deductions are taken into account in computing trust accounting income but are now nondeductible in computing taxable income and distributable net income for the trust.

Using trusts to shift income to children

Use of a Sec. 2503(c) or minor’s trust allows for transfers of property (and income shifting) to children, while parents maintain control of the property at least until the child reaches age 21.

Supreme Court holds North Carolina cannot tax trust

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision holding that North Carolina’s attempt to tax a trust based solely on the residence of a beneficiary violates the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Tax Insider Articles

DEDUCTIONS

Business meal deductions after the TCJA

This article discusses the history of the deduction of business meal expenses and the new rules under the TCJA and the regulations and provides a framework for documenting and substantiating the deduction.

TAX RELIEF

Quirks spurred by COVID-19 tax relief

This article discusses some procedural and administrative quirks that have emerged with the new tax legislative, regulatory, and procedural guidance related to COVID-19.