Gift tax planning — Divide and cope with a split-dollar arrangement

Description

Abstract: Looking into ways to cope with future gift tax liability is a good idea — especially this year: The present $5.12 million gift tax exemption is scheduled to drop down to just $1 million in 2013. One strategy to consider: a split-dollar insurance arrangement. This article examines how establishing an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) to buy and hold a life insurance policy can set the table for a split-dollar arrangement that helps transfer wealth effectively.