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U.S. inflation reached an annualized rate of 7.0% in December 2021, its fastest pace in nearly four decades. Even the core price index, which excludes the volatile categories of food and energy, climbed to 5.5%. The question is whether inflation will peak in the coming months, as balance sheets are drained and supply chain pressures abate, or whether inflation has become a more permanent fixture in the U.S. economy.

Each new year brings with it new tax-savings opportunities. This year, a list of strategies and tips to consider in your tax planning are provided, including charts showing the federal estate and gift tax exemptions and exclusions for 2022.

Without proper planning, digital assets could be lost. For executors, a challenge is often just determining whether digital assets are in the decedent's estate, and then determining the powers and terms for accessing and administering them on the beneficiaries' behalf. An inventory checklist of the broad-based digital footprint is provided as a beginning step in protecting and planning for these assets.

As the owner of a closely held business, proper planning will ensure that, if something happens to you, your business interest is transferred according to wishes. Having a buy-sell agreement in place is only half the battle. Funding your agreement ensures that there is money available to purchase a departing owner’s business interest in the event of death, disability, retirement, or other circumstance. When considering and comparing the various funding options available, life insurance is often ideal.

The trend of private equity (PE) firms seeking high returns in health care has been in full bloom for more than a decade. But whereas previously PE was focused on a top-down approach of buying hospitals and health systems, that focus has begun to shift toward less-costly smaller specialty groups and physician practices. With increased segmentation across the health care industry, the PE involvement in core hospital service is growing and shifting.

When COVID hit, many business owners faced the dire realization that the insurance they paid so much for did not cover the business interruption resulting from the pandemic exposures. To help guard against that type of unexpected disruption in the future, many business owners have set up captives—a lucrative alternative risk financing structure—to navigate the risk and insurance challenges they face.

For charitably minded individuals, cryptocurrency investments—such as Bitcoin and Ethereum—held more than one year may provide a unique opportunity to leverage highly appreciated assets to achieve maximum impact with charitable giving. By donating cryptocurrency to charity, it can also unlock additional funds in two tax-smart ways.For more insights on contributing non-cash assets to charity, listen to the accompanying Giving with Impact podcast.

When thinking about making a donation to support a charity, most of us immediately think about writing a check or typing in a credit card number. Even when we proactively think about using other assets that we may hold as a way to fund our charitable giving, our instinct is to liquidate that item and donate the proceeds. But that may not be the most effective or efficient way to donate. Sometimes, cash isn't king.

For the charitably inclined individuals and families who are exploring ways to reduce their tax expose and maximize their charitable impact in 2022, there are eight tax-smart tips for charitable giving in 2022.

Digital assets have the potential to start (or perhaps already are) significantly altering the global financial landscape. Find out how and get insights on the why from guest Geron Morgan at BKD. Here's what's covered: Who is Geron Morgan? @00:17Trends in digital assets @01:27Audit considerations @04:05Internal controls and digital assets @06:45Recent events and Executive Order @10:31Tips to learn more about digital assets @14:40