This has been an extraordinary and difficult year. Although the year is nearing an end, the events we have experienced undoubtedly will have an effect well into the future. Naturally, the most significant impact is the human toll of the pandemic, and the lingering effects of the economic downturn on our community, the nation, and the world. I know that you likely have many things on your mind other than your estate plan. However, this year also brings an election that could possibly lead to changes in the nation’s tax laws. These changes, if they occur, may have a significant impact on your estate plan. The Trusts and Estates team at Moye White suggests you consider reviewing your current estate plan and consider any additional planning that may be beneficial to you and your family.
Potential Changes in the Tax Law
Although it is anticipated that any significant changes in the tax law would be effective no earlier than the beginning of 2021, I think it may be appropriate for you to consider taking action before year-end to protect your family's wealth and preserve the integrity of your estate plan. At this time, it is not possible to know or even predict precisely what changes may occur. However, I believe the following are some of the changes that may be considered in the near term. Notably, some of the changes could happen regardless of the outcome of the election.
- The tax law, as it stands today, provides that the current estate and gift tax exemptions, which are now over $11,500,000, will be halved beginning in 2026. However, many have long speculated that changes in the political climate in Washington, DC, may result in the reduction of the exemptions well before then. It seems this possibility is even more likely given the current need to generate revenue to pay for pandemic relief and could possibly occur as early as the beginning of next year. This means that many more families may soon be subject to federal estate tax.
- For a number of years, Federal tax law has provided for a "step-up" in the income tax basis of assets owned at death. This can be a valuable benefit to the families of those who die owning assets with very low basis, such as land that has undergone extensive development or stocks that have performed significantly well since the date of purchase, because it essentially eliminates the built-in gain at the time of death, allowing the family or other beneficiaries to later sell the asset without triggering a large amount of capital gains tax.
There have been many proposals to eliminate this step-up in basis at death, instead of requiring those inheriting the property to take the same basis as the deceased owner, or alternatively, to pay income tax on the built-in gain at the time of the owner's death. This proposal was made by President Trump before the 2016 election (although it was tied to a suggested repeal of the estate tax) and by former Vice President Biden. It is anticipated such a change may occur sometime after this year. Although it may not be possible to address this issue through planning, I wanted you to be aware of the possibility and will be happy to discuss how it might affect your family and your estate plan.
- In addition, many estate planning arrangements that have the potential to shift growth in your assets out of your taxable estate may be eliminated or made less effective in the relatively near future. Proposals and suggestions from past Presidential administrations and Congressional terms could resurface, affecting estate planning techniques ranging from life insurance trusts to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs).
What This May Mean for You
Many clients will wish to act now, before year-end, to take advantage of the current gift tax exemption before a possible decrease. This can be done through lifetime gifting, and there are many flexible gifting options I can discuss with you in more detail. Although I do not know what changes to the tax law may occur in the coming months, in recent years, the Treasury has indicated that it will not try to recapture or "clawback" exemption used through lifetime gifts if the exemption later decreases. That means those who make gifts in order to use the current high exemption amount may ultimately succeed in transferring more wealth to their beneficiaries than they would otherwise be able to transfer on death if the exemption amount decreases next year. It is worth noting that I encourage clients who could benefit from making a gift of the higher gift tax exemption to do so in any event before the higher exemption is scheduled to disappear in 2026.
In addition, clients who might benefit from an estate planning strategy, such as a GRAT, should consider acting to implement that strategy now, while the opportunity exists, in the event that those strategies or some of their benefits are later eliminated. Whether any such strategy is appropriate for you and your family depends on your assets and your estate planning goals.
What You May Wish to Do
Given the current climate of uncertainty and change, I suggest you consider being proactive in protecting your wealth from potential adverse tax law changes. I look forward to speaking with you about what steps you can take now, including ways in which property you transfer out of your taxable estate may continue to benefit members of your family.
Due to the potential significance of these changes and the number of families potentially affected, I anticipate a number of you will act to change your estate plans or implement additional planning techniques in the next couple of months. While I will endeavor to work with every client who needs my services, if you would like to discuss the potential changes and your options for addressing them through proactive planning, I recommend contacting me soon to arrange an appointment to avoid potential delays due to increased demand.
Most of all, I send my best to you and your family, and I look forward to connecting with you when you are ready to work toward your estate planning goals, whether that time is now or in the future.
NOTE: The contents of this email are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice.
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To speak with Scott Greiner:
Connect with Arvonne Toney-Ladson, by calling her at (303) 291-1538 or emailing her at Arvonne.Toney-Ladson@moyewhite.com.
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Connect with Glenna McKelvy, by calling her at (303) 291-1517 or emailing her at Glenna.McKelvy@moyewhite.com.