When it comes to effectively transferring assets, the Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRAT) is a popular estate planning strategy that can reduce the tax liability. In this interview, three attorneys discuss the benefits of GRAT and the securities law case, Donoghue v. Smith, involving that strategy.
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As new and established tax provisions shape the current tax environment, it’s clear that understanding the landscape of tax law changes and expiring tax credits is key as a high-income taxpayer or business owner preparing for year-end. With this year-end tax guide, you’ll find useful insights, data, and instructive planning information on income and deductions; executive compensation; investing; real estate; business ownership; charitable giving; family and education; retirement; estate planning; and tax rates.
Tax planning is as essential as ever for taxpayers looking to manage cash flow while paying the least amount of taxes possible over time. It’s time for individuals, business owners, and family offices to review their current tax situations to identify opportunities for reducing, deferring, or accelerating their tax obligations. This article, which is based on the U.S. federal laws and policies in effect as of the publication date, provides the information that will help you with your tax planning.
Over the past 15 years, the IRS has attempted to ramp up its scrutiny of wealthy individuals. With billions in new funding promised under the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has announced additional tax enforcement efforts focused on the wealthiest filers, including high-income individuals, partnerships, and large corporations. Attorney Erin Lasenby discusses some of these enforcement efforts and the filers that would be affected by each. With the revitalized efforts, the targeted filers should be prepared for the IRS shifting their audit attention to them.
Creating an enduring financial legacy becomes more challenging with each branch that is added to the family tree through marriage. With divorce rates at a high level, it is important for families to understand the wealth management considerations related to marriage and take a proactive approach to planning for changes to their family dynamics.
The IRS is increasing its audit of large partnerships and is increasingly scrutinizing the validity and deductibility of management fee arrangements. In the case, Aspro, Inc. v. Commissioner, it offers a warning to taxpayers, including private equity and venture capital funds seeking to establish similar arrangements with their portfolio companies. But perhaps more importantly, this case provides a roadmap for taxpayers to follow when structuring and documenting these arrangements.
Many affluent parents have concerns about the impact a significant inheritance could have on their children. If you're not ready to give the bulk of your estate to charity but you are concerned about the potential impact of inherited wealth on your children, there are other options. They include timing the cash distributions, adding general statements of intent to your estate plan, establishing incentive provisions in your trust—and even creating an incentive trust.
Social media and other digital accounts have a life of their own. Managing them is one aspect of managing a deceased person's digital estate. Sometimes the problem is simply closing an account while other times, you hope to gain access to a loved one's accumulated photos, videos, or other important files. To help manage your digital accounts and plan ahead, know the rules governing Google accounts, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Dropbox.
With increasing interest rates, the Treasury Department's recent publication of long-awaited proposed regulations will change the life-expectancy factors used in life expectancy-based estate planning. While the changes may not seem drastic, they should be considered by individuals contemplating its use. For most types of planning, when increased interest rates are favorable to the taxpayer, increased life expectancy is unfavorable to the taxpayer.
In preparing for the birth of his daughter, David Slover developed a to-do list each parent should think about executing. Topics shared include Last Will and Testament, Financial and Healthcare Powers of Attorney, Living Will, Life Insurance Policies and Retirement Accounts.