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A private family trust company (PFTC) provides families with intergenerational governance over family assets and a private forum for decision-making. Without proper management, however, a PFTC can be exposed to costly litigation and the potential for significant liability. By developing and implementing policies that take into account the expertise and capacity of staff and external vendors, a PFTC can ensure it stays compliant and is able to safeguard the family’s assets well into the future.

Traditional benchmarks don’t work for taxable investors seeking to put their after-tax performance in perspective. The solution are customized benchmarks, which means knowing how to calculate your own personal index. It’s not a simple task, but it’s essential for any manager who wants to look credible in the tax-management space, and it’s now more feasible with skillful deployment of technology.

One question that is often asked when working with family offices is “What are families like mine doing”? The interest in the answers is even greater during periods of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the world’s best investors and wealth stewards share their thoughts and insights into the unique challenges facing family offices, including investment management and opportunities, tax and estate planning, responsible investing and philanthropy, and governance and operations.

A side effect of the new normal created by social distancing due to the Coronavirus pandemic is the inability for clients and advisers to come together in the same room to discuss, plan, and execute on their estate planning objectives. However through modern technology, these discussions can still occur in virtual spaces, and pursuant to an executive order signed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, notaries can also work digitally. We review the provisions of the order and alternative ways to continue estate planning under shelter-in-place orders.

Although the population and life expectancies of U.S. retirees are increasing, portfolio yields remain at historically low levels. As defined benefit income becomes less commonly available, the need for informed retirement portfolio spending strategies is more critical. Because every investor's financial situation is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

On April 30, the IRS released guidance providing that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan borrowers may not deduct costs that are paid for with loan proceeds that are forgiven under the CARES Act. Additional guidance is provided on this and other provisions of the PPP, including loan forgiveness and mortgage interest obligations. While PPP loan borrowers should currently assume they cannot deduct any expenses relating to forgiven PPP loan amounts, Congress may still change this result and clarify its intent in subsequent COVID-19-related bills.

Businesses unable to apply in time for loans from the initial Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) allocation have another opportunity to submit an application after the U.S. Senate passed a bill appropriating additional funding for the program. Similarly, businesses that submitted loan applications which could not be approved by the SBA because of the exhaustion of initial appropriations to the program can expect to see those applications processed.

At the core of philanthropy, charitable giving stems from a desire to benefit a cause or program. That desire is even stronger during turbulent times. When moving forward with your charitable giving, there are a few key points to keep in mind to help maximize your strategy, including tax incentives and planning opportunities that are available in 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended markets, the economy, and people’s livelihoods. Few things feel like they’re under your control. When it comes to investing, what should investors and their advisors do? While it may be strange to contemplate why the pandemic could also reshape taxes, the choices you make around investment taxes could have significant implications for years to come.

Financial planning is a long-term process, so it’s important to begin by building a strong foundation upon which the rest of your plan can grow. The foundation of your plan is designed to provide financial stability and protection. With these features in place, now may be an excellent time to examine opportunities to grow your assets and ultimately optimize your plan based on changes in today’s economic environment.