It’s time to make gifts – The struggling economy may allow you to save gift and estate taxes

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Abstract: Estate planning opportunities are a silver lining among today’s dark economic clouds. Depressed asset values and low interest rates may allow you to gift more to your loved ones at a significant gift tax savings, removing substantial wealth from your taxable estate. Some of the most effective gifting strategies involve the use of trusts. Or you might transfer interests in a family business or other closely held company using a family limited partnership (FLP) or a family limited liability company (FLLC). But, as a sidebar explains, Congress is considering new restrictions on FLPs and FLLCs. Also, when gifting property, you will need to consider income taxes as well as gift and estate taxes.