Married same-sex couples must now file their federal income tax returns as either married filing jointly or separately, but they have a choice whether to amend their federal income tax returns for open years during which they were legally married.
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Estate Planning
Sea-Change: Planning for Same-Sex Married Couples and the DOMA Decision
This column provides practitioners with an overview of the impact of the recent decision striking down a key provision in the Defense of Marriage Act ; a preliminary checklist of areas to be addressed with same-sex clients; and a discussion of the issues involved.
Gift and Estate Tax Planning Considerations
With thoughtful planning, taxpayers can minimize gift and estate taxes while retaining some control of transferred assets by establishing trusts or limited partnerships and using the annual gift tax exclusion.
Advising Nonresidents and Recent U.S. Residents on Estate Tax Issues
Understanding the intricacies of residency and domicile is necessary to understand what will be included in a decedent’s estate for U.S. estate tax purposes.
Formula Marital Deduction Clause Not a Guaranteed Estate Tax Shelter
The Turner cases highlight the importance of properly transferring FLP interests during life in a way that avoids the trap of creating an estate tax when the decedent planned to have none.
Recent Developments in Estate Planning: Part II
This article covers recent developments in estate tax, including the portability election, proposed regs. on the alternate valuation date, FLPs.
Lifetime Tax Planning for LLC Owners
Several steps can be taken before a LLC member’s death to reduce estate and income taxes and to plan for an orderly succession.
Estate Planning for International Clients
It is essential for clients with multiple citizenship or residency to understand that the timing and manner of cross-border wealth transfers fundamentally affect their ability to minimize tax burdens.
The 10 Most Powerful Postmortem Planning Pointers for Trusts and Estates
Taking control of the postmortem planning process can be a powerful way to save tax dollars for the decedent’s estate and family.
Generations of Wealth in Marcellus Shale
Many in the Marcellus shale areas are being faced with difficult financial decisions due to the newfound wealth associated with the sudden interest in the Marcellus formation.
Estate Tax Planning for a U.S. Citizen with a Noncitizen Spouse
Under current U.S. tax law, a U.S. citizen may transfer property to his or her U.S. citizen spouse without any tax consequence or limitation. However, a U.S. citizen married to a noncitizen can make only a limited amount of bequests to his or her spouse.
The Valuation of FLPs
Due to the popularity of family limited partnerships (FLPs) and the significant tax savings they can provide, the IRS has sought to limit the benefits of their use. As part of its attack on an FLP, the IRS frequently will challenge the value of the FLP that is claimed on an estate or gift tax return.
Last-Minute Estate Planning for 2009: Focus on the GST
This article focuses on estate planning opportunities relating to the generation-skipping transfer tax that practitioners and taxpayers should consider for implementation in 2009.
Estate Planning While We Sit, Watch, and Wait
Despite the impending confusion, there are some steps tax practitioners can take in working with clients to ensure their estates are in the best position over the next few years.
Be Careful Making Disclaimers Where Trusts Are Involved
Disclaimers are very useful tools for estate planners, especially in postmortem planning. However, if an estate planner is not diligent in the planning and execution of a disclaimer, it can have adverse transfer tax consequences.
When Are Payments Treated as Child Support?
Payments are child support for tax purposes if they are either so designated in the divorce or separation agreement (fixed child support) or deemed to be child support.
Riding the Estate Planning Roller Coaster for the Next Three Years
As 2010 approaches, tax legislators and policy makers are sharply divided on a more permanent approach to taxing the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next.
Guidance Issued on Dividing CRTs, Assisting Divorcing Couples
The IRS recently issued Rev. Rul. 2008-41, confirming that charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) can be divided into separate but equal trusts for each recipient without adverse tax consequences.
Private Annuities Can Still Save Estate Taxes
Editor: Michael D. Koppel, CPA, PFS In October 2006, the IRS issued Prop. Regs. Secs. 1.72-6(e) and 1.1001-1(j), which propose to substantially reduce the income tax benefits of private annuities (REG-141901-05). Basically, the proposed regulations require the annuitant (the person transferring the property) to recognize the entire gain or loss
Gifting of a Remainder Interest in a Home
Editor: Kevin F. Reilly, J.D., CPA One of the first decisions taxpayers must make when planning their estates is what to do with the principal home. With the changing and sometimes downtrodden real estate market, this can be a difficult and time-consuming task for heirs, particularly if they do not
TAX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
2025 tax software survey
AICPA members in tax practice assess how their return preparation software performed during tax season and offer insights into their procedures.
