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Investors occasionally look to their municipal bond portfolio for loss-harvesting opportunities that reduce the impact of capital gains taxes on portfolio returns. Learn how an active tax-loss management strategy ensures year-round performance, maximizes tax alpha, and minimizes costs.

While no tax legislation has been drafted under the Biden administration, one thing we know for sure is that taxes will go up. Being aware of the proposals being discussed can help you prepare for what comes next, including what you should be considering for both income tax and estate tax planning this year.

Over the past decade, Tennessee has significantly elevated its position as a preeminent jurisdiction to situs a trust. With the latest enacted legislation in the state, that situs status is maintained. Some of the more significant enhancements of the legislation include the ability to designate applicable law, registration of a trust, and additional flexibility in decanting.

Too often, taxes are only thought of once or twice a year, but the reality is that an effective tax plan is considered year-round and on a multi-year basis. Tim Steffen, Baird’s Director of Tax Planning, shares his insights on common tax planning misconceptions, when and why to consider tax planning, and how to respond to legislative changes to the tax code.

Compound growth over time—uneroded by taxes—is key to amassing substantial wealth, and that’s where dynasty trusts come in. It’s designed to minimize taxes over multiple generations. When done correctly, dynasty trusts can leave an enduring and significant financial legacy for generations to come.

As negotiations continue, the latest text of the proposed reconciliation bill, titled Build Back Better Act, is void of many of the prior proposed tax changes that would have upended estate planning.

The Biden administration’s American Families and other tax proposals may complicate the tax landscape for high-income owners. Given the real possibility of targeted tax increases on the wealthy and President Biden earmarking $80 million for IRS audit efforts, business owners and family offices should review their current situations to identify opportunities in which their overall federal and state tax liabilities could be minimized.

While the gift and estate tax exemption is scheduled to drop to approximately one-half the current amount of $11.7 million on January 1, 2026, there are tax proposals in play that could change the estate and gift tax laws much sooner. Uncertainty abounds, but planning options still exist through various trust instruments, including gifting to the next generation in trust and implementation of a SLAT—spousal lifetime access trust.

The proposed Build Back America Act, a $1.85 trillion social-policy and climate framework, is working its way through Congress. While the notable prior proposals were absent, the current legislation proposes a new income tax surcharge that will be added on top of the ordinary and capital gains tax rates. The surcharge—which can bring the total surtax to 8% for certain groups—will also apply to trusts and estates and will impact high-earning individuals. Unless otherwise provided, all proposals are effective January 1, 2022.

Family offices anticipating a variety of tax law changes now have more details to consider. How would the tax law changes proposed by the House Ways & Means Committee affect family offices and wealthy families? Tax specialists examine the considerations, including the surcharge on high-income individuals, estates, and trusts that would be effective for years beginning after December 31, 2021.