High net-worth families for whom privacy is a paramount consideration may be concerned that the Corporate Transparency Act, which became law on January 1, 2021, creates a risk of sensitive ownership information being exposed to the wrong persons. This may concern family offices; however, regulated private trust companies and trusts may be exempt.
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Throughout history, gold and silver have had many important uses, including as a hedge against inflation, deflation, and economic uncertainty. For the gold investors, they have managed to preserve their wealth during some tumultuous times, including the financial crisis of 2008 and the pandemic-induced economic crisis of 2020. When it comes to investing in gold and silver, it’s essential to know the six keys to successful gold and silver ownership—the who, what, when, where, why, and how of precious metals investing.
Many investors find themselves wondering whether the new Biden administration will change the U.S. trade policy toward China. Further, investors are wondering how they should position themselves. From this perspective, there is reason to believe that U.S.-China relations could remain unpredictable, and investors may be well served by a balanced portfolio that can handle the twists and turns. While there may be increasing risks to holding Chinese securities because of U.S. actions, there remains a potential reward as well.
Get the facts before hail damage hits. Hailstorms come on suddenly, and homeowners often feel pressured to make repairs just as fast. See how applying top precautions can help you make informed decisions in the event of hail-related roof damage.
As the surge of interest in creating a more just and equal economic system gathers force and begins to translate into real action, so do its detractors. From an investment perspective, the source of tension tends to occur when it links gender and racial diversity to financial performance. But there’s more to the discussion when it comes to building a more inclusive world, including the value it holds for investors who want to use their portfolios to move equity of opportunity forward.
Given the rhetoric and possible need for additional tax revenue in the U.S., families of wealth and their advisors should be aware of the future possibility of the wealth tax particularly when doing their estate planning. They should also consider how trusts might be affected by a wealth tax, including the use of a discretionary trust that can be grandfathered to avoid the wealth tax if established prior to its enactment.
The Millennials are projected to number 73 million, overtaking Baby Boomers as the largest adult segment of the U.S. population. They have different concerns and opinions than their parents, and many existing trusts may not be drafted to best accommodate Millennial beneficiaries and their desires. In most instances, traditional trust structures may not be sufficient. Generally, modern directed trusts are best suited for all generations, and it allows a Millennial beneficiary to play a key role regarding both trust distributions and investments.
Municipal bond yields have finally begun to move higher. The surge is a natural and healthy development—reflective of an improving economic landscape but not a marked upshift in inflation. In this environment, see where muni investors can find opportunity and capitalize.
The big question in the estate planning world today is whether, when, and to what extent the U.S. Congress will enact changes to gift, estate, and income tax laws. With many challenges facing the new Biden Administration, and the narrowly Democratic Senate, major tax legislation may not even be considered in 2021. Nevertheless, the tax proposals endorsed by the Biden Administration provide clear signals for actions clients should consider this year.
There’s a common sentiment that COVID-19 will have an impact on investment strategies and the types of investors that will be active over the next few years. While 2021 may turn into a feeding frenzy for private equity, longer-term investors can remain as selective as they’ve always been. Corporate acquirers, meanwhile, won’t simply buy market share because acquisition targets have lower valuations, but they will align their mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy on both the buy side and sell side with their long-term business plan.