Can I Avoid Taxes when I Inherit?
Unless you spend your winters in Aspen and your summers in the Hamptons, you probably don’t have to worry about paying federal estate taxes on an inheritance. In 2021, the federal estate tax doesn’t kick in, unless an estate exceeds $11.7 million. The Biden administration has proposed lowering the exemption, but even that proposal wouldn’t affect estates valued at less than about $6 million.
What Could Proposed Estate Tax Bill Mean to You?
The For the 99.5% Act reduces the estate tax exemption to $3.5 million per individual and $7 million per couple. The bill adds higher tax brackets for larger estates.
When Did You Last Review Beneficiary Designation Forms?
When it comes to your retirement accounts, do you know who your beneficiaries are? These types of accounts have complex distribution rules and significant tax implications for those who inherit them. This complexity is compounded, if there are errors or missing information on your beneficiary forms, as is often the case. Add to this the game-changer SECURE ACT, the largest retirement legislation that has been passed in decades—and there has never been a more important time to review your beneficiary forms.
What are the Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes?
Taking a few simple steps now can potentially help save your beneficiaries thousands in legal fees and taxes.
When Exactly Do I Need to Update My Will?
It is also important to realize that it isn’t merely “why” you are updating your will, but “when” you are updating that can make all the difference. Acting too late (or too early) may mean your changes are no longer appropriate or even immediately invalidated.
What Does Recent Legislation Mean for the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT) Exemption?
Recent legislation provides unprecedented opportunities to minimize or avoid estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes (GSTT).
How Will the New SECURE Act Impact My IRAs and 401(k)?
A new law could affect the IRAs and 401(k)s of millions of Americans in 2020.
