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2001: A Death Tax Odyssey Planning Opportunities and Strategies Theme 2001 playing
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Presentation overview Back to the Future 2000 legislation that is likely to arise in 2001 No Escape from the law (of gravity) Why estate planning is necessary with or without the death tax Lost in Space?? Planning opportunities and strategies under new and proposed legislation
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Back to the Future 2000 legislation likely to arise in 2001 Speaker Name
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Two major pieces of legislation introduced in 2000 Death tax repeal Charitable legislation
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Previous Legislation Various proposals were introduced in 2000 Proposals for repeal suggested the estate and gift tax be phased out Proposals for reform called for a decrease in the tax brackets and an increase in the applicable exclusion amounts
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Arguments for repeal Avoid double taxation Protect small business and family farms Favored by over 70% of Americans Not cost effective Costs 65 cents of every dollar collected
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Arguments against repeal Benefits wealthy Only 2% of decedents will pay any death taxes Eliminates one of the most progressive elements of our tax system More than half of the benefits of repeal would go to 0.1% of families
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Tax avoidance on assets Proponents of repeal argue that the estate tax results in a double tax on assets Opponents of repeal counter that if the estate tax was repealed A double tax would not result The appreciation in the assets avoids taxation The assets would receive a step-up in basis at death The gain on the assets would never be taxed
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Provisions of H.R. 8 Return to carryover basis—a very complicated law The built-in appreciation of assets to escape taxation needs to be avoided Assets to no longer receive a step-up in basis Assets to pass to the beneficiaries and retain the tax basis of the deceased Prior Law A carryover basis rule was attempted in 1976 and repealed two years later due to impossibility to track the deceased basis in the assets
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Projections and current tax legislation Majority view Many projections for the repeal or reform of the estate tax President Bush and others still advocate for an outright repeal Most believe that an estate tax reform is more likely
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Projections and current tax legislation Economic Growth and Tax Relief Bill of 2001 approved by the House on March 8 Projected to be viewed by the Senate in May Calls for the reduction in the income tax rates Brackets of 15%, 28%, 31%, 36% and 39.6% reduced to brackets of 10%, 15%, 25% and 33% by 2006 More immediate relief reducing the current 15% bracket to 12%
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Potential income shifting opportunities if the death tax is repealed If the death tax is repealed, you may Shift tax to children or friends Shift portfolio income overseas Use non-grantor trusts Utilize grantor trusts
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Current tax law Individual must withdraw assets, then make contribution Individual is taxed on withdrawal
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Charitable legislation Previous legislation passed by Congress, but vetoed by President Clinton Tax-free withdrawal from the qualified plan assets is allowed if the assets are immediately donated to charity Minimum age requirement applies
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Current proposals Neighbor to Neighbor Act bill for 2001 would provide tax incentives for various types of charitable gifts Takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2000 Includes charitable rollover Extends time for deductible contributions Increases deductibility of long term capital gain property Allows direct charitable deduction Increases carryover period
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No Escape from the Law (of gravity) Why estate planning is necessary with or without the death tax Speaker name
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Additional goals Planning for disabled individuals Protecting your assets Distributing your assets Giving to charity Planning business succession Formulating income tax strategy Providing investment and management expertise
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Planning for Disabled Individuals If an individual becomes incapacitated and an estate plan is not in place A guardian and conservatorship would likely need to be appointed This is a costly and time consuming process The individual is not guaranteed to have a choice of guardian or conservator
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Planning for Disabled Individuals Several estate planning documents necessary or desirable to help in planning for disabilities Wills Revocable trusts Durable Power of Attorney for health care Durable Power of Attorney for business affairs Special needs trusts
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Protecting your assets From beneficiary’s creditors In case of divorce From the beneficiary From individual’s creditors
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Distribution of assets Subsequent Marriages Dynasty trusts Incentive clauses Completing education Providing work incentives Promoting charitable work or occupations Offering disincentives for certain behavior
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Planning business succession Important components Orderly transition of management from one generation or individual to another Buy/sell agreements Life insurance on key employees
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Giving to Charity Charitable remainder trusts Private foundations
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Formulating income tax strategy Tax planning considerations IRA and other IRD assets (Income in respect of decedents) Income tax Acquire investment management expertise
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Lost in Space??? Planning opportunities and strategies under new and proposed legislation William E. Lowe, JD, MBA, CFP
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New IRA distribution rules Requires the owner to take their required minimum distributions at age 70 ½ based upon the MDIB table ( Minimum Distribution Incidental Benefits) Becomes effective on January 1, 2002 New method optional for 2001 The MDIB table becomes mandatory in 2002
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New IRA distribution rules Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) stipulations are simplified RMD can be allocated to a separate IRA Beneficiaries can change without affecting the pay out Custodian/trustee reporting requirement
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New IRA distribution rules - For spouse Spouse, if sole primary beneficiary, can take ownership of IRA If not sole beneficiary, can take over individual portion ownership if the custodian/trustee provides sub- accounting Beneficiaries will be determined December 31, after the year of death
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New IRA distribution rules - For spouse Time frame for spouse to take as own has been reduced May leave as beneficiary IRA and defer distributions until decedent would have reached 70 ½ Attractive if the spouse is younger Spouse would use their single life expectancy
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New IRA distribution rules - Non-spouse beneficiary Can take out over the single life expectancy as of December 31 of the year following the decedent’s death Sub-accounting will allow each beneficiary to use his/her own life expectancy Otherwise minimum distribution will be based upon the life expectancy of the oldest beneficiary Post-mortem disclaimer
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New IRA Distribution Rules - Planning Opportunity IRAs are subject to income tax and are included in the estate for estate tax purposes Name a Private Foundation (or Charity) as a beneficiary of your IRA Assets are excluded from your estate for estate tax purposes The Private Foundation (or Charity) will not have to pay income taxes on the proceeds
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Charitable Remainder Unitrust IRA Value $1,000,000 Cost Basis $0 UMB Private Foundation $1,344,889 YChildren serve on Board of Foundation and distribute 5% per year YIf Foundation grows at 8.5% in 30 years, the Foundation would grow to $4 million. Salary to children Charitable Remainder Trust $1,000,000 Income Spouse
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Private Foundation Compensation via benefits to family Private Foundation may be able to pay part of the premium on a life insurance policy under private letter ruling Private Foundation Individual Individual’s Family $1,000,000 Insurance Premiums Refund of Premium Payments P.S. 58
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Questions???
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2002: Another Death Tax Odyssey? Hal speaks “That’s all, Dave—Goodby”
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