IEP
Showing 193–208 of 384 results
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You’re selling your interest in a charitable remainder trust
Year End 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 344
Abstract: Recently finalized regulations eliminate a potential tax shelter involving the sale of an interest in a charitable remainder trust. This brief article offers an example of how the tax shelter worked before the new regs and, using the same example, explains how the regs produce a different outcome.
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The family vacation home – Relax — but don’t relax the rules
Year End 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 609
Abstract: A shared family vacation home can be a great place for family bonding, but don’t get too relaxed. A little planning — together with some clear rules about the usage of the home — can go a long way toward avoiding conflict and tension and keeping the home in the family. This article reviews what to consider when forming a plan for a vacation home.
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Paying for LTC insurance using a tax-free exchange
Year End 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 686
Abstract: Nothing can throw a monkey wrench into an estate plan like incurring long-term care (LTC) expenses. An LTC insurance policy can offset these costs, but the premiums can be expensive. One potential source for funding LTC insurance premiums is a total or partial tax-free exchange of an existing life insurance policy or annuity contract. This article examines how a tax-fee exchange can be a cost-efficient strategy for funding LTC premiums.
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Defined-value gifts: A formula for estate planning success?
Year End 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 824
Abstract: Affluent families who wish to make large lifetime gifts should consider using defined-value clauses or other formula clauses to minimize or eliminate gift taxes. This article discusses why these clauses are especially effective when transferring assets that are difficult to value, such as closely held business interests or real estate. The article also includes a sidebar detailing four specific types of formula clauses.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You jointly own property with a family member
October / November 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 332
Abstract: A common estate planning mistake that many people make is to own property jointly with a child or other family member. True, adding a loved one to the title of your home, bank account or other property can be a simple technique for leaving property to that person without the need for probate. But any convenience gained is usually outweighed by a variety of negative consequences. This brief article details three possible negative outcomes of owning property jointly with a family member.
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Addressing adopted children or stepchildren in your estate plan
October / November 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 560
Abstract: Families that have children who are adopted, or stepchildren who haven’t been legally adopted, face unique estate planning challenges. Additional consideration must be taken when a family includes an unmarried couple in a long-term relationship and one person has biological or adopted children. As this article explains, unique family situations require using various estate planning strategies to properly address each loved one.
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Use a noncharitable purpose trust to achieve a variety of goals
October / November 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 698
Abstract: Generally, trusts must have one or more human beneficiaries, but there’s an exception for certain “purpose” trusts. One popular type of purpose trust is a charitable trust. But don’t overlook the noncharitable purpose (NCP) trust. This article explains the pluses and minuses of an NCP trust.
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The net investment income tax and your estate plan – How one affects the other
October / November 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 882
Abstract: The 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) can affect an estate plan in two ways: First, it can increase tax on capital gains, taxable interest and other investment income, reducing the amount of wealth available to heirs. Second, the tax is particularly harsh on certain trusts used in estate planning. This article reviews how the NIIT is applied and examines how it can affect trusts.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – Your powers of attorney are more than a few years old
August / September 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 306
Abstract: Health care and financial powers of attorney are critical components of an effective estate plan. As this article explains, after executing powers of attorney, it’s important to periodically review them and execute new ones.
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Make net gifts to reduce your gift tax rate
August / September 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 605
Abstract: Lifetime giving is a smart strategy to reduce a taxable estate, but the gift tax rate of 40% is steep. If one has used up his or her $5.43 million gift and estate tax exemption and would like to potentially reduce his or her effective gift tax rate to 28.6%, consider making net gifts. This article details how to use this gifting technique.
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The ABLE account: A good alternative to a special needs trust?
August / September 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 749
Abstract: Late last year, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The act authorizes a new, tax-advantaged savings account, modeled after the Section 529 college savings account, for people who are blind or have severe disabilities. This article explains the ins and outs of an ABLE account and why a special needs trust may be a better option.
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Premarital planning – Protecting your assets without a prenup
August / September 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: Protecting family assets in the event of a divorce is particularly significant for family business owners, who typically want to avoid sharing ownership with their ex-spouses or their children’s ex-spouses. A prenuptial agreement can be an effective tool for overriding marital property rights and keeping assets in the family. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of a prenuptial agreement, and details an alternative to a prenup — a domestic asset protection trust.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – Your IRA owns real estate
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 301
Abstract: Most people invest their IRA funds in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. But others may opt for nontraditional investments, such as real estate, in the hope of boosting their returns. As this article details, when choosing to hold real estate in an IRA there are several tax traps for the unwary, chief among them the prohibited transaction rules.
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Estate tax relief for family businesses
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 622
Abstract: If a substantial portion of a person’s wealth is tied up in a family or closely held business, he or she may be concerned that the estate will lack sufficient liquid assets to pay estate taxes. If that’s the case, heirs may be forced to borrow funds or, in a worst-case scenario, sell the business in order to pay the tax. This article explores how an estate tax deferral may be an option.
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Does a private annuity have a place in your estate plan?
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 700
Abstract: A private annuity can be a powerful strategy for passing assets to heirs in a tax-efficient manner. In a typical private annuity transaction, a parent transfers property to his or her children in exchange for their unsecured promise to make annual payments to the parent for the rest of his or her life. This article examines both the benefits and risks of private annuities.
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The basics of basis – Basis planning can result in significant tax savings
June / July 2015
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 896
Abstract: Because the gift and estate tax exemption is at a record high of $5.43 million for 2015, many people have shifted their focus from estate planning to income tax planning. An understanding of basis — and the benefits of the “stepped-up basis” rule — can help people identify valuable tax planning opportunities. This article discusses how basis can affect gift planning. A sidebar explains how a “reverse gift” can minimize capital gains.