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Most family offices that serve U.S. families are well aware that special planning considerations can arise when a U.S. citizen family member marries a noncitizen. Should the client’s estate plan be revised to incorporate a qualified domestic trust (QDOT) to ensure that assets passing to the surviving noncitizen spouse qualify for federal esta...

In early April 2016 files leaked from a large Panama-based law firm (known as the ‘Panama Papers’) brought to the attention of many the ways in which offshore companies and structures can be used to obscure the identity of beneficial owners, some of whom have used such entities to avoid paying tax in their country of tax residence. Now ...

Even though a trust may be established under the laws of a US state and have a US trust company serving as trustee (hereinafter a ‘US-based trust’), this does not mean that it is a US domestic trust for income tax purposes. If non-US persons make substantial decisions for the trust, the US-based trust will be classified as a foreign tru...

Private trust companies are not a new phenomenon. Rather, over the past 25 years, they have increased dramatically in number, with hundreds of major, family-controlled trust institutions now operating in the United States. This article addresses why the number of private trust companies has been growing; describes a typical private trust comp...

In this edition of Tax Topics, the focus is on the IRS release of the 2017 inflation-adjusted numbers, along with planning points to keep in mind for both year-end and in general. It also has the November 7520 rate and applicable federal mid-term rates.

Donald Trump’s election as the 45th President of the United States on November 8 is expected to bring changes to the tax laws for individuals and businesses. President-elect Trump had made tax reduction a centerpiece of his economic plans during his campaign, saying he would, among other things, propose lower and consolidated individual incom...

On November 9, 2016, many Americans woke up to (or stayed awake for) an unexpected election outcome. As of that day, the downside for the DOW and the S&P 500 Index appeared to be less than the declines that occurred after the 2008 and 2012 elections. However, it is still early. During these uncertain times, it is best to stick with your investm...

In 2015 charitable giving rose to $373 billion in the United States, driven by an almost $10 billion increase in gifts from individuals which represent over 70% of total giving. This year individual giving in the U.S. is poised for even greater growth, thanks to several contributing factors, including a solid economy and robust stock market perform...

A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Kaestner case means that more out-of-state residents will be able to fully realize the benefits of Tennessee's progressive trust laws and zero income tax on non-residents. Previously, many states relied on the residence of a trust beneficiary as one of the criteria for taxing a trust. In essence, the new r...

Art collections are unique and very personal assets. Planning to build and maintain a collection, and ensuring its future, requires balancing special rules applied to collectibles and the personal and financial realities of individuals or families. When collectors, their families, and their trusted advisors engage in purposeful planning for art col...

CFOs are feeling the rising pressure of leveraging new technology, such as cloud computing, robotic process automation, and various analytical tools, to improve the performance of their organizations. Beyond the basics, the finance organization needs to be a driver in implementing new technology to better manage financial and business information u...

As the realities of digital change, evolve, and grow, the CIO position has become more critical. The CIO as “IT operator” is a construct of the past. The role has evolved to include business strategy co-creator, change instigator, and innovator. Successful CIOs operate in an environment of cohesive collaboration to bridge the long-stand...

Trusts classified as foreign for U.S. tax purposes, whether established under the law of a U.S. state or of an offshore jurisdiction, must review whether they have any U.S. tax or information reporting filings to make in 2019 with regard to income earned and distributions made in 2018. This article provides trust officers and family advisers with a...

Over the past decade, matriarchs and patriarchs of successful families have been shifting their focus from their children to a broader group of individuals, such as grandchildren, siblings, and nieces. Often, they choose to create family banks, which are typically trusts that are funded to help individuals pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, vent...

Choosing a technology platform is a time-consuming process leading to a critical decision. You need to be confident that the platform supports your multi-year benefits strategy, and that the HR technology vendor you select will meet your needs today—and in the future. When it comes to choosing the right vendor and solution, it is crucial to a...