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Sheraton Airport Tempe, AZ March 16, 2013. Agenda 11:00 – 12:00 - Current Federal Estate Tax Law and Estate Planning post ATRA 12:00 – 12:15 - Questions.

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Presentation on theme: "Sheraton Airport Tempe, AZ March 16, 2013. Agenda 11:00 – 12:00 - Current Federal Estate Tax Law and Estate Planning post ATRA 12:00 – 12:15 - Questions."— Presentation transcript:

1 Sheraton Airport Tempe, AZ March 16, 2013

2 Agenda 11:00 – 12:00 - Current Federal Estate Tax Law and Estate Planning post ATRA 12:00 – 12:15 - Questions 12:15 – 12:30 - Other Trusts 12:30 – 12:45 - Document Automation 12:45 – 1:00 - Questions

3 Current Federal Estate Tax Law and Estate Planning

4 On January 1, 2013, President Obama signed into law The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“ATRA”), bringing closure to the main tax aspects of the so-called “fiscal cliff” negotiations that had been ongoing since the November elections.

5 Since January 1, 2013, among its many tax provisions, ATRA makes permanent the $5.0 million gift, estate, and GST tax exemption amount that was put in place temporarily for 2011 and 2012, plus inflation adjustments going forward [the current adjustment for 2013 is $250,000 per person.

6 For married couples in 2013, the aggregate exemption will be twice this amount (i.e., $10.5 million)]. Future years can also have similar inflation adjustments.

7 The gift tax is still unified with the estate tax; a unified estate and gift tax exemption means the $5.25M threshold is applied to total transfers, whether by gift during lifetime or by inheritance on death.

8 There is also an inflation adjustment to increase the annual gift tax exclusion from $13,000 to $14,000 per donee (again, for married couples, the annual gift exclusion is now double this amount - $28,000 for 2013).

9 The 2012 Act also provides for a flat 40% tax rate for any transfers in 2013 and future years that exceed the exemption amount.

10 ATRA makes the new laws “permanent” because there is no sunset provision in the law that would cause the current rules to expire. The 2002 law was scheduled to sunset at the end of 2010. Similarly, the 2010 extension was scheduled to sunset at the end of 2012.

11 But a “permanent” change does not mean the law will never change.

12 The word “permanent” really means “until they change it next time!”

13 Notably, ATRA also makes permanent the “portability” concept introduced in the Tax Relief Act of 2010.

14 “Portability”

15 Generally, “portability” allows a surviving spouse to elect to take advantage of the unused portion of the estate tax exclusion of his or her predeceased spouse, thereby providing the surviving spouse with a larger exclusion amount.

16 “Portability” NOTE: The “deceased spousal exclusion amount” is available to the surviving spouse only if an election is made on a timely filed estate tax return for the deceased spouse (even if an estate tax return would otherwise not be required).

17 Example Assume that Husband dies in 2013, leaving $1M to his daughter and the balance of his estate of $3M to Wife (no tax is due). An election is made on Husband’s estate tax return to permit Wife to use Husband’s unused exemption. Thereafter, Wife’s exemption is now $9.5M (her $5.25M basic exemption plus the $4.25M of Husband’s unused exemption), which she may use for lifetime gifts or for transfers at death.

18 The biggest argument in support of portability is that it will prevent married couples from having to create "costly" estate plans that contain "complex" trusts.

19 But not so fast! There are still plenty of reasons why married couples should consider Trust planning and why unwed couples may need it too; portability is really a “get out of jail card” for those who don't do anything or if the totally unexpected should occur. There are a number of reasons for married clients to still create an estate plan which creates a trust or trusts after the first death:

20 PLANNING

21 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption

22 Having an exemption trust will protect the full $5M amount if one spouse dies and the Democrats are later successful in "rolling-back" the exemption to $3.5. Portability may also be lost if the surviving spouse remarries and is later widowed again.

23 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption Planning for appreciation

24 Funding an “exemption trust” also protects appreciating assets from estate tax at the survivor’s death.

25 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption Planning for appreciation Planning for blended families and/or “control”

26 For a second/third marriage (or even for a first marriage), if one or both of the clients is concerned with the survivor being able to change the beneficiaries (e.g., remarriage, separate children, etc.), the irrevocable trust is still necessary (even when there are no estate tax issues).

27 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption Planning for appreciation Planning for blended families and/or “control” Providing creditor protection for the surviving spouse

28 Creating an irrevocable trust at the first death provides asset protection from creditors, lawsuits and/or Medicaid “spend-down”. In addition, any assets owned by an irrevocable trust will be protected from a divorce settlement if the surviving spouse remarries and then later divorces.

29 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption Planning for appreciation Planning for blended families and/or “control” Providing creditor protection for the surviving spouse Planning for state estate taxes

30 Currently, there are 16 states (plus the DC) which impose a separate state estate tax, so trust planning may be necessary in order to “double” the state exemption and defer payment of state estate taxes until the death of the surviving spouse (so far, no state with an estate tax has adopted the concept of “portability” for the unused exemption of the first to die). Even if the client resides in a state currently without a separate estate tax, that state may subsequently elect to impose a tax or the survivor could later move to a state which does have a separate state estate tax (e.g., move to be closer to children/grandchildren).

31 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption Planning for appreciation Planning for blended families and/or “control” Providing creditor protection for the surviving spouse Planning for state estate taxes Planning for the “generation-skipping tax”

32 Portability does not apply to the GST tax, so in order to fully leverage the GST exemptions of both spouses for GST trust planning, it will still be necessary to create a trust at the first spouse’s death. The so-called “Dynasty Trusts” are becoming increasingly popular.

33 Planning to “lock-in” the full exemption Planning for appreciation Planning for blended families and/or “control” Providing creditor protection for the surviving spouse Planning for state estate taxes Planning for the “generation-skipping tax” Planning for same sex or unwed couples

34 Until same sex marriage is recognized by the federal government, same sex couples will need to use trust planning in order to be able to take full advantage of the exemption (state and federal) at both deaths (and the same goes for unwed couples).

35 Problems with “Portability” No planning to “lock-in” the full exemption No planning for appreciation No planning for blended families and/or “control” No creditor protection for the surviving spouse No planning for state estate taxes No planning for the “generation-skipping tax” No planning for same sex or unwed couples

36 WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?

37 As most of you know, there are many “types” of trusts for married couples. The correct type of trust can depend on a number of circumstances.

38 We have prepared a “matrix” of the different client scenarios with our recommendations for the appropriate type of estate planning trusts which may be appropriate for each scenario. Of course, this matrix also takes into account the existence of a separate state tax (when appropriate).

39 This “matrix” is one of the referenced documents in the list of on-line PDF files which you can download.

40 However, for today, let’s assume that your clients reside in Arizona (which has no separate estate tax) and neither spouse has an estate over $3.5M.

41 WHAT IS THE BEST FORM OF TRUST?

42 THE ANSWER: A “Disclaimer Trust” OR an “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”

43 THE ANSWER: It depends mostly on the amount of control the surviving spouse should have over the deceased spouse’s estate

44 What type of trust should be used if “control” is NOT an issue?

45 Why not a simple “probate avoidance trust”?

46 With the Probate Avoidance Trust, there is no flexibility – everything stays under the survivor’s control and power of revocation.

47 The “Disclaimer Trust”:

48 Again, use IF there are no issues of “control” (e.g., no separate children, etc.).

49 The “Disclaimer Trust”: Everything goes to the survivor but the survivor can, within 9 months, disclaim any or all of the deceased spouse’s interest into an irrevocable trust.

50 The “Disclaimer Trust”: There may be factors at the time of the first death which makes the irrevocable trust worthwhile:

51 The “Disclaimer Trust”: “Hit the Lottery” Creditor Issues Possible Medicaid needs for the survivor

52 What type of trust should be used if “control” is an issue?

53 What about an “A/B Trust”?

54 The “A/B Trust”:

55 “A” Trust is the survivor’s revocable trust

56 The “A/B Trust”: “A” Trust is the survivor’s revocable trust “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust

57 The “A/B Trust”: “A” Trust is the survivor’s revocable trust “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Must be funded with decedent’s estate up to the exemption amount

58 The “A/B Trust”: “A” Trust is the survivor’s revocable trust “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Funded with decedent’s estate up to the exemption amount  Purpose is to keep “B” Trust out of the survivor’s taxable estate

59 Problems with the “A/B Trust”:

60 “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Funded with decedent’s estate up to the exemption amount

61 Problems with the “A/B Trust”: “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Funded with decedent’s estate up to the exemption amount If control is an issue and the decedent’s estate exceeds the exemption, the balance goes to the survivor

62 Problems with the “A/B Trust”: “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Purpose is to keep “B” Trust out of the survivor’s taxable estate

63 Problems with the “A/B Trust”: “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Purpose is to keep “B” Trust out of the survivor’s taxable estate This will lose the “stepped-up basis” on the assets in the “B” Trust at the survivor’s death

64 The “step-up” means that inherited property receives a new cost basis equal to the property's fair market value on the date of the decedent's death. In other words, the heirs can sell the inherited assets and pay no capital gains tax.

65 Problems with the “A/B Trust”: “B” Trust is the irrevocable trust  Purpose is to keep “B” Trust out of the survivor’s taxable estate ONLY ASSETS INCLUDED IN THE TAXABLE ESTATE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE STEP- UP

66 The “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”:

67 Creates an irrevocable trust for all of the decedent spouse’s assets

68 The “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”: Creates an irrevocable trust for all of the decedent spouse’s assets SOLVES THE CONTROL ISSUE

69 The “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”: Creates an irrevocable trust for all of the decedent’s assets “Intentionally” designed to be included in the survivor’s taxable estate

70 The “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”: “Intentionally” designed to be included in the survivor’s taxable estate SOLVES THE STEPPED-UP BASIS ISSUE -- NOW THE ENTIRE ESTATE RECEIVES A STEP-UP AT THE SECOND DEATH

71 The “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”: Creates an irrevocable trust for all of the decedent’s assets “Intentionally” designed to be included in the survivor’s taxable estate Has “disclaimer” option to fund “Exemption Trust” if needed.

72 The “Intentionally Defective Marital Deduction Trust”: Has “disclaimer” option to fund “Exemption Trust” if needed. PROTECTS IF THE CLIENTS HIT THE LOTTERY!

73 As mentioned, besides “control”, there are other advantages to creating an Irrevocable Trust at the first death:

74 Other advantages to creating an Irrevocable Trust at the first death: Creditor Protection

75 Other advantages to creating an Irrevocable Trust at the first death: Creditor Protection Medicaid Planning

76 Other advantages to creating an Irrevocable Trust at the first death: Creditor Protection Medicaid Planning Protects assets from a divorce if the survivor remarries

77 QUESTIONS 15 MINUTES

78 OTHER REVOCABLE TRUSTS

79 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST

80 It is now common to designate the revocable living trust (“RLT”) as the beneficiary of an IRA (or as the contingent beneficiary if the IRA owner is married)

81 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST To be a permitted beneficiary, the RLT must have the proper language to be a “conduit trust”.

82 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST A “conduit trust” must use the oldest age of the current beneficiaries for the calculation of the RMD’s for all of the beneficiaries.

83 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST A “conduit trust” must distribute the RMD’s to each beneficiary regardless of other circumstances existing at the time of death (e.g., disability, creditor issues, divorce, etc.)

84 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST To provide maximum benefits and flexibility, there is now a new type of trust.

85 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST To provide maximum benefits and flexibility, there is now a new type of trust: The IRA Beneficiary Trust

86 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST Features

87 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST Features: The RMD for each beneficiary is calculated on the age of each beneficiary

88 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST Features: Up to September 30 th of the year following the IRA owner’s death, an election can be made to convert a beneficiary’s trust from a “conduit trust” to a discretionary “accumulation trust”

89 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST Features: If a beneficiary’s trust is converted, the “potential beneficiaries” of that trust can be limited to a designated class.

90 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST Features: If the IRA owner is married and does not want the spouse to be able “roll-over” the IRA (i.e., name new beneficiaries), the Trust can also be configured to hold the IRA for the benefit of the spouse.

91 IRA BENEFICIARY TRUST This is an extremely valuable estate planning tool for any client with IRA assets over $150,000!

92 NFA FIREARMS TRUST

93 Often referred to as a “Gun Trust”

94 NFA FIREARMS TRUST “NFA” is the “National Firearms Act”

95 NFA FIREARMS TRUST Most handguns and rifles are not restricted

96 NFA FIREARMS TRUST Those that are, such as automatic weapons, “short-barreled shotguns, silencers, grenades, etc., are referred to as “Title II Firearms” or “restricted firearms”.

97 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are:

98 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are: After the trust is created, it is not filed with any city, county or state government entity (other than a copy being sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“BATFE”) with the Application. The trust and your client’s name do not show up on any government database other than the tax rolls of the BATFE and this information is protected from most disclosure requests.

99 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are: Unlike an application by an individual, The Trust is not required to submit fingerprint cards; The Trust is not required to submit a photograph; and, The Trust is not required to have the chief law enforcement officer (“CLEO”) approve the Application.

100 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are: Unlike a corporation, LLC or other entity form, Once the trust is created, there are no annual fees; There is no requirement for a trust to file annual tax statements; and, There are no requirements for annual meetings or reports.

101 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are: The Trust may be used to purchase and own as many NFA regulated (Title II) firearms as desired. Multiple individuals can be listed (or added) as the trustees, thus allowing more than one person to have the legal right to the possession and use of the firearms and thus protecting family members from inadvertent (but harshly dealt with) illegal possession of a regulated weapon.

102 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are: The trust protects in the event of incapacity; this protects the conservator (or other family member) from illegally possessing items regulated by the National Firearms Act which are not registered to them. The trust also helps to protect the firearms assets after death. Although, any individually owned firearms will be part of the “probate estate”, the trust keeps the firearms outside of the probate process and keeps them private. The executor of the estate and the beneficiaries will also be protected because the successor trustee has the control of the firearms with specific provisions within the trust on how the NFA regulated items should be handled and transferred after death.

103 NFA FIREARMS TRUST The Key Benefits of the NFA Firearms Trust are: If the transfer of NFA firearms becomes prohibited in the future, the trust will continue to protect the Title II items for generations to come.

104 Fore! Trust Software  Stand-alone:  Trusts & Wills  Irrevocable Trusts  Virtual Estate Planning System

105 AAIP DISCOUNT $50 discount off normal purchase price of the “stand-alone” software Enter “AAIP Discount” in the “Special Code” box on the Check-out page or contact us directly

106 Fore! Trust Software Announcing our new Platform

107 Fore! Trust Software Announcing our new Platform Cloud Based Built-in Client Management capabilities Built-in Internet Marketing features Client Portal Document Assembly “eDoc Store”

108 Thank You! www.ForeTrustSoftware.com or email me at dennis@4trustsoftware.com


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