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An increasingly popular way to reduce taxes generally is to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs), but little is discussed about how QOZs can be utilized to shift appreciation of wealth over time to future generations. Investors have various options to transfer interests in QOZs to future generations tax efficiently. With this new opportunity available, there are a few items to evaluate: What is the value of the QOZ over time? Why would you transfer the QOZ interest? What are things to be aware of when making this decision?

Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) offer taxable investors the potential for deferral of existing gains and tax-free growth. Though the basic provisions of the tax incentive are known, the rules remain unclear and regulatory risks persist. While the existence of a tax incentive can make a good investment even better, investment decisions should not be primarily driven by tax considerations.

Generation Z and millennial entrepreneurs are known for being innovative, bold, quick-thinking game changers. But too often they ignore the more mundane (but incredibly important) aspects of their personal financial situations and decisions regarding the fate of their business. By investing some of the passion and energy they have for their businesses into estate and financial planning, Generation Z and millennial entrepreneurs can help set themselves, and their businesses, up for long-term success.

This recorded webinar Illustrates how effective annual income tax rates for a C corporation differs, depending on whether it distributes all, part, or none of its annual earnings. This provides a more realistic base against which to compare one's tax rates as an owner of a pass-through business entity, such as an S corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship (the latter two which may be LLCs).

Even the best laid plans or checklists for filing the various U.S. forms on time can sometimes go astray. When they do, it is prudent to request an extension to file the particular return. Careful attention should be paid to where and how to submit the request, as procedures are not necessarily the same for all returns.

The U.S. Supreme Court will revisit state tax nexus for the second year in a row after granting North Carolina’s petition for certiorari in North Carolina Department of Revenue v. The Kimberley Rice Kaestner 1992 Family Trust (Docket No. 18-457). Kaestner and Fielding could have significant implications on the state taxation of trusts. All multistate taxpayers should prepare for the potential wider-ranging impacts of the U.S.

Under the current U.S. tax code, there are three critical areas that can help high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners maximize their wealth planning potential. We frame these areas in the form of corresponding emerging themes—estate tax, income, and charitable planning—and propose actionable strategies. This is just a first step, one that will inspire many conversations to help ensure that your wealth plan keeps pace with the tax reform changes.

In late 2017, the sweeping tax reform was passed in the United States and created incredible opportunities for estate planning for high-net-worth families. It also served as a good reminder to review your estate plan to be sure that it is consistent with your current goals and is flexible to promote tax efficiency under today’s tax laws—as well as the unknown tax laws of the future.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is sweeping in its reach, and divorce situations are not immune from its influence. The new tax law changes the tax treatment of alimony for both the payer and the recipient. For divorces finalized prior to January 1, 2019, this new tax treatment will not apply and will be grandfathered under the rules of the prior law. It is important to review your settlement agreement in light of these tax law changes, and consider modification of an existing agreement if appropriate.