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Many nonresidents of the U.S. are unaware that they may be subject to U.S. estate tax based on their ownership of U.S. situs assets. This can can lead to unexpected results for foreign taxpayers who invest in U.S. assets during their lifetime. After the foreign taxpayer’s death, the executor of their estate may have U.S. tax reporting require...

In December of 2017, the U.S. Tax Court decided in the Lender Management, LLC v. Commissioner case that deductions that were part of a taxpayer’s trade or business were deductible under Section 162; however, deductions under Section 212 were suspended through tax year 2025. Following the suspension of the 2-percent miscellaneous itemized deduc...

There are many considerations that go into making a planned gift, including the maximization of its impact. There are three types of planned giving: lifetime giving, giving at death, and hybrid planned giving. Factors to consider are whether you have the capacity to make sizeable gifts during your lifetime, the potential for income streams during l...

Education is an expense that impacts many families each year. As the cost of secondary and higher education continue to rise, many families should consider the tax benefits of funding educational expenses. The type of vehicle used to fund educational expenses varies and can include education trusts and qualified tuition programs that are designed a...

When an individual purchases property, inherits property, or is gifted property, they obtain a tax basis in the property. Basis is generally the amount of the taxpayer’s capital investment in the property, which is subsequently increased or decreased for events that occur during their ownership of the property. As the applicable estate and gi...

The tax consequences of expatriation for U.S. citizens and long-term green card holders after June 17, 2008 can be enormous. With the exception of deferred compensation items, interests in non-grantor trusts, and specified tax deferred accounts, all other assets of the expatriating taxpayer are deemed sold at fair market value on the day before the...

Investors are purchasing and selling virtual currencies (also known as “crypto currencies”) at a faster rate than ever before. Although these virtual currencies are not legal currency in the U.S., the IRS has been slowly issuing guidance on the income taxation and the manner in which individuals should report gains or losses from t...

A GRAT is an estate freeze technique used in estate planning to minimize taxes on large financial gifts to family members. Under this technique, an irrevocable trust is created to which the grantor transfers income-producing or appreciating property in return for the right to receive a distribution of a fixed annuity amount from the trust (at least...

After a decade-long economic expansion and bull market in US stocks, investors are understandably nervous about downside risk. Global economic policy uncertainty rose sharply in 2018, fueled by the threat of a trade war among the world’s largest economies. With the stock market crash of 2008-’09 a distant but still painful memory, many ...

With the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of 2017, more family businesses are examining their corporate structure and considering the tax implications. Specifically, companies that are currently structured as “pass-through” entities (e.g., an S corporation, partnership, or LLC taxed as an S corporation or partnership) are...

What choices do you have when it comes to transparency? How open and accessible is your family foundation—to the extended family, to grant seekers and partners, to the public? What approach do your colleague foundations take, and why? This guide examines how family funders are thinking, acting—and not acting—when it comes to how t...

Individuals with disabilities and their families have many options to set aside funds without jeopardizing eligibility for means-tested government benefits, but most of the options require the person with a disability to lose control over his or her own money. With the Stephen J. Beck Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, people with disab...

The best time to install protective devices or materials in your home is during a renovation, addition, or new construction. Consider the following recommendations early in your planning stages to increase safety, lessen the likelihood of damage, and help minimize installation costs. Some proactive measures may even result in savings on your homeow...

The best time to prepare your home for the cold weather, snowfall, ice accumulation, and storms is before winter sets in. For added protection, recommended tips are provided to help you get a head start.

Winter-related claims add up to over $1 billion each year across the insurance industry. One common—yet often overlooked—cause of costly damage is ice damming. By taking proactive measures and making crucial upgrades to your home, you can help prevent ice damming damage.