Now or later – When’s the right time to transfer your wealth?

Description

Abstract: To gift or not to gift? It’s a deceptively complex question. The temporary doubling of the gift and estate tax exemption is viewed by many as a “use it or lose it” proposition. But giving away wealth now isn’t right for everyone. Depending on one’s circumstances, there may be tax advantages to keeping assets in one’s estate. This article explains the tax consequences of making lifetime gifts vs. bequests at death. A sidebar details how to build flexibility into an estate plan.