Important Reasons to Review and Update Your Estate Plan Let’s assume you are among the approximately 30% of adults who have done the prudent thing and established your Estate Plan. Perhaps you simply created a Will. Have you had it professionally reviewed in recent years? Make sure your plan is still the most suitable for your current estate and goals? Alternatively, do you have a Living … [Read more...]
New Law Eases the Individual Alternative Minimum Tax
Unfortunately, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) retains the individual Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). But there's a silver lining: The AMT rules now reduce the odds that you'll owe the AMT for 2018 through 2025. Plus, even if you're still in the AMT zone, you'll probably owe less AMT than you did under the old rules. Why the AMT Hits Upper-Middle-Income Taxpayers Under prior law, many … [Read more...]
Capital Gains Rates Before and After the New Tax Law
Are you confused about the federal income tax rates on capital gains and dividends under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)? If so, you're not alone. Here's what you should know if you plan to sell long-term investments or expect to receive dividend payments from your investments. Old Rules Prior to the TCJA, individual taxpayers faced three federal income tax rates on long-term capital … [Read more...]
The Use of Alternative Investments within the Deferred Sales Trust
By Greg Reese, Principal, Reef Point, LLC - Trustee for the Deferred Sales Trust The Deferred Sales Trust is designed so that the proceeds of the sale of a business, real property or highly appreciated collectables can achieve tax deferred status. The original seller of the appreciated asset first sells the asset to the Trustee of the Trust, who then “re-sells” the property to the intended … [Read more...]
Estate Planning – Broaching a Sensitive Topic
You may be uncomfortable at the thought of discussing your estate with your loved ones. But failing to do so could result in disagreements and conflicts when the details are revealed after your death. Discussing your plans in advance gives you a chance to explain: The distribution of your estate. Why you made certain decisions. You can also write a personal letter to … [Read more...]
Estate Planning 101: An Introduction
What Is an Estate and What Planning Is Involved? It's important for you to understand what the word "estate" means so that you do not underestimate the broad scope of the term. The "estate" consists of all the property a person owns or controls. Examples of the more well-known items include personal property, real estate, bank accounts, insurance policies, business interests, certain trust … [Read more...]
Good News! More Families May Be Eligible for the Child Credit in 2018
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, made significant changes to the child credit. This credit is generally available to taxpayers with children under the age of 17, but the new law adds a new (smaller) credit for other dependents. Here are the details. Say Goodbye to Dependency Exemptions … For Now The new tax law isn't all good news for … [Read more...]
Take Time to Plan Your Estate
If you're like most people, you've probably delegated estate planning to the realm of things to be done "someday." Most people dislike confronting their own mortality, but proper estate planning accomplishes two major objectives -- it ensures that your wealth is distributed according to your wishes and it can reduce the payment of federal and state estate taxes. By formally planning your … [Read more...]
Is a Deferred Sales Trust Right for You?
What are the advantages of a Deferred Sales Trust (DST)? The Deferred Sales Trust, or DST, provides a unique exit strategy for an appreciated business or piece of real property. A component of the DST is the use of an installment sale strategy to defer and manage the tax obligations that come with the sale of an appreciated asset. Some of the negative features of the traditional way an … [Read more...]
What are the Differences Between a Deferred Sales Trust (DST) and a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)?
There are perfectly legal ways to defer capital gains tax and reduce your overall tax burden. Those of you who own highly appreciated assets such as homes, businesses, commercial and residential real estate, even high value collectibles, are often reluctant to sell that asset because of the capital gains tax and depreciation recapture costs associated with the sale. There are perfectly legal … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 8
- Next Page »
