What you don’t know can hurt you. Learn how to use effective trust mapping as tool to help you identify missed opportunities in planning. Learn best practices on how to use a one page diagram to help you gain clarity around the current wealth transfer plan and spot opportunities for improvement.
With the distinct possibility that the U.S. election can result in tax law changes, it’s time to reinforce a golden opportunity for tax and estate planning. In an environment of temporary high gift exemptions and other favorable conditions, it’s an ideal time to consider three strategies that can take advantage of them through various trust vehicles that includes gifts to grantor trusts, installment sales to dynasty trusts, and transferring assets to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATS) and charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATS).
There is no avoiding the subject: COVID-19 has made it a tough period for many U.S. businesses. While a few sectors have benefitted from the pandemic, the vast majority are considering taking on additional debt or equity, selling off portions of the business, liquidating the business altogether, or declaring bankruptcy. This high-level overview provides business owners with some of the key topics and restructuring strategies they should be aware of.
Ahead of the U.S. presidential election, the Biden campaign has put forward four main tax policy changes worth analyzing, all of which involve an increase in taxes. What will it mean for portfolios and will it alter investors' decisions?
Against the backdrop of crisis and uncertainty, the 2020 U.S. presidential election presents key election issues pertaining to the economy. How will a potential Biden administration affect the economy and markets? An assessment of Biden’s proposed tax policies will show the expected impact. And if Trump wins, will it be the status quo and further refinement of the 2017 tax cut?
Don’t miss this perennial Family Office Forum classic. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to know 2020 will usher in tax and estate planning change. The pandemic has disrupted the economy and interest rates, offering new opportunities for wealth transfer planning. Learn what you can do now and should do by the end of the year.Mark Harder, Partner, Warner Norcross & Judd LLPJamie Sanders, Partner, Tax, Private Client Services, RSM
Ultimately, how well your wealth transfer plan fulfills your legacy and meets the needs of the next—and future—generations depends on whom you name as your trustee(s). This makes your trustee selection one of the most critical aspects of an already complex wealth planning process. To help navigate this selection process, work with a framework built around understanding your specific needs and selection criteria across three core fiduciary capabilities.
Can investors capture market returns and harvest tax losses amid periods of high volatility? Find out how the markets in 2020 and in 2008 provide guidance for beneficial tax management during a crisis.
For families holding illiquid assets, anticipatory pre-liquidity planning can greatly improve asset protection, wealth transfer, and tax outcomes. Using Wyoming entities, a review of pre-liquidity planning strategies is provided with a snapshot on the state’s modern trust statues, asset protection laws, and tax laws. Families soon discover Wyoming also offers enhanced asset protection and retained control with an emphasis on administrative and cost efficiency.
The tax stakes are substantially higher in Massachusetts for the residents than they are for nonresidents. However, with the latest court ruling, Massachusetts estate tax can now apply to out-of-state trusts. The implications are significant, and they are a reminder that the Commonwealth takes an expansive view of its taxing authority in situations involving taxpayers with connections to multiple states.