JODI F. KRIEGER

The House Ways and Means Committee recently released a draft of the tax portion of the proposed reconciliation bill. Some of the proposals affecting individual taxpayers, estates and trusts are described below. Termination of Temporary Increase in Gift and Estate Tax Exclusion Amount The gift and estate tax exclusion amount is presently $11.7 million (indexed…

In the wake of the 2020 election, many expect that the Biden administration will seek to engage Congress to enact new tax legislation in order to raise revenue to pay the costs associated with the pandemic and other government programs. The administration’s ability to set policy will be impacted by the final results of several…

As the global economy continues to feel the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 crisis, now may be an appropriate time to consider potential estate planning opportunities: Low Interest Rates: The IRS prescribes minimum interest rates that taxpayers must charge on most loans (including installment sales) to avoid gift tax consequences. These IRS rates are now…

Both the SECURE Act enacted in December 2019 and the CARES Act enacted in March 2020 changed the rules governing distributions from retirement plans and IRAs. Under the SECURE Act, retirement plan participants and IRA owners no longer have to begin taking distributions until April 1 of the calendar year after they reach age 72…

The COVID-19 crisis presents unique challenges, as well as opportunities, for tax-exempt organizations. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides some relief to tax-exempt organizations who may be experiencing difficulties funding their operations and charitable projects as a result of the current situation. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service has postponed tax…

Retirement benefits (such as pension, profit-sharing, 401(k) or IRA benefits) make up a substantial portion of many people’s assets. Congress recently passed, and the President signed on December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act (the SECURE Act) as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. The SECURE Act made various…

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 extended the ability of certain IRA owners to make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) for 2014. A QCD is a distribution to a public charity (other than a donor advised fund) from an IRA. Only IRA owners over age 70½ can make QCDs. The limit on QCDs for 2014…

In February we alerted you that Governor Cuomo’s budget bill proposed important changes to the New York estate tax and the New York income taxation of certain trusts. The changes just enacted, described below, were scaled back from the original proposals, though still represent significant and important changes. Estate Tax Exclusion. The New York estate…

Governor Cuomo’s recently released budget bill proposes important changes to the New York estate tax and the New York income taxation of certain trusts. Proposed changes require high net worth individuals and trustees of certain trusts to consider taking action between now and March 31st. Taxing Gifts. One proposed change is to increase, for New…

There may be only six months left before the lifetime gift tax exemption reverts from its present $5.12 million to $1 million and the gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer (“GST”) tax rates jump to 55%. Unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise, these changes will occur on January 1, 2013. Many clients have taken advantage of…

The Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Committee”) is currently scheduled to announce its proposals on November 23, 2011. Rumor has it that among the proposals presently being discussed are changes to the current gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax laws. We believe two of these proposals merit your attention and possible prompt…

Planning for the future, yours and other’s, is very important in today’s environment. There are some current estate planning opportunities that may not be available in the future. TUESDAY APRIL 17th IS TAX DAY 2012 Did you take any actions in 2011 that could trigger the requirement to file a gift tax return? Examples of…