by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Dec 27, 2017 | Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Tax Planning
Under either formulation of purpose, that is, the “unified” approach or the “fairness” approach, in issuing its regulations, the IRS would be compelled to use the basic exclusion amount in effect the time of the decedent’s death for purpose of computing the...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Dec 23, 2017 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act((In both the House and Senate versions, the bill was called the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” Due to a last-minute change in response to a procedural issue, the official title was changed to “To provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | May 15, 2017 | Archived, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
The tenuousness of the President’s plan raises a whole host of additional questions. These include: (1) whether the President’s plan would be coupled with a step-up in basis at death versus carryover basis (carryover basis would effectively increase total taxes...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | May 15, 2017 | Archived, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
The election of Donald J. Trump to the presidency and Republican control of both houses of Congress make estate tax reform extremely probable in the next two years. However, given the new administration’s other proclaimed priorities, including the repeal of...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Apr 7, 2017 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Tax Planning
In this matter, the draftsman failed to include language prohibiting the trustee from issuing a note, other debt instrument, option or other similar financial arrangement in satisfaction of the annuity obligation as required by § 25.2702-3(d)(6) of the Gift Tax...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Mar 28, 2017 | Charity, Estate Planning, Gift Tax, Tax Planning
A GRAT must be drafted to comply with the requirements set forth in the applicable Treasury Regulations under Section 2702. Unfortunately, the regulations don’t resolve all issues, such as whether there’s a minimum or maximum term for a GRAT, or whether a GRAT...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Mar 23, 2017 | Archived, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
In short, the ground has been laid for quick action in the House of Representatives the moment the health care debate concludes. Source: Tax Reform Bill On the Front Burner
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Mar 23, 2017 | Archived, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
The loss of income tax revenue would be the product of income tax saving strategies that would become viable in the wake of gift tax elimination. For example, without a gift tax, the use of a “straw taxpayer” would likely become a prevalent income tax planning...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Mar 23, 2017 | Archived, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Tax Planning
Even though in our current environment, paying gift taxes could save estate taxes, and is therefore a rational strategy, our clients won’t view it this way if, this year or next, the estate tax is repealed. And this is so, even if the estate tax is repealed...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Mar 12, 2017 | Archived, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday poured cold water on the Trump administration’s goal of completing tax reform by the August recess. Source: McConnell: Tax reform unlikely by August | TheHill
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Mar 3, 2017 | Archived, Estate Admin, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Probate Admin, Tax Planning, Trust Admin
Significant coverage was devoted at the recently concluded 51st Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, Fla. to the Internal Revenue Service’s proposed regulations (proposed regs) concerning basis consistency and reporting for property...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Feb 25, 2017 | Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
In Private Letter Ruling 201707008 (released Feb. 17, 2017), the Internal Revenue Service ruled that a wife wouldn’t recognize gain or loss from her husband’s transfer of property to a trust for her benefit under a proposed divorce settlement agreement....
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Feb 9, 2017 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
Article authored by my friend Brian Dooley, a top international tax expert: Before leaving the United States or any of its possessions permanently or for an extended amount of time, all U.S. resident aliens and nonresident aliens (with certain exceptions) must...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Jan 15, 2017 | Archived, Asset Protection, Estate Admin, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Probate Admin, Tax Planning, Trust Admin
Good advice in this article, but much of the uncertainty can be removed with thorough, comprehensive planning with an eye toward flexibility. For example, in our planning (http://Protect.LIFE), we offer not only the current flexibility of the Clayton election,...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Jan 13, 2017 | Asset Protection, Business Succession, Career Maintenance, Career Preparation, Creditors & Predators, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Family Maintenance, Family Protection, Financial Mentorship, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Venture Protection
Among the chief goals of succession planning is providing continuity of management and minimizing the tax costs of transferring property interests to new generations.Source: Six Things Family-Owned Firms Should Know About Succession Planning
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Jan 6, 2017 | Archived, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
Practitioners should review options with clients that might include: Outright bequest to surviving spouse, with contingent disclaimer trust, subject to the problems that this approach creates Clayton QTIP approach, subject to the complexity it creates...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Dec 3, 2016 | Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
For many client situations, I continue to be a big proponent of using the Clayton election for flexibility in this age of estate tax uncertainty. The Clayton election continues to be the smart way, for many families, to avoid the “AB Trap” of capital gains...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Dec 1, 2016 | Archived, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
As always, flexibility is key: Recommend cautious optimism. The elimination of the estate tax in particular is likely to be welcome news to your higher net worth clients, but the proposal may be subject to opposition or compromise in Congress. This compromise could...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Nov 23, 2016 | Archived, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
In light of Donald Trump’s election and his pre-election platform to reduce marginal income tax rates, there are several planning strategies that should be considered as part of your client’s year-end planning. John O. McManus, founding principal of McManus &...
by Dave Duringer - Protective Law Corp | Nov 4, 2016 | Archived, Asset Protection, Charity, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax Planning
For many clients in the mid-range, we can pretty much take care of the issue in the first paragraph below with Clayton election planning. (HNW clients may benefit from other advanced techniques such as NING trusts.) The issue in the second paragraph below (changes to...