Estate Planning Flashcards
Estate Tax Formula
How to calculate taxable estate…?
GAT
Gross Estate
(minus) Deductions
Adjusted Gross Estate
(minus) Charitable & marital deductions
= Taxable Estate
On Form 706 (due 9 months after death)
Estate tax is a tax on property transferred @ death. All gifts in lifetime is in the flow.
Form 706
Estate & Generation Skip Transfer Tax (GSTT)
Due 9 mo. after death
Three Year Rule
Any property gifted within 3 years of the death of the donor is generally not included in the gross estate.
Simple vs Complex Trust
- Simple Trust cannot Distribute Principal, Complex can.
- Simple Trusts are required to distribute all income. Complex Trusts are not.
- Simple Trust Income Exemption amount is $300, Complex Trusts are $100.
- Simple trusts cannot have a charitable deduction. Complex Trusts can.
Revocable Trust
- Included in Gross Estate
- Grantor can terminate
- May be funded or unfunded.
- transfer of assets into Trust is not considered a completed gift. Not taxed upon transfer because the grantor can take it out.
- Assets in trust are subject to estate tax at time of grantors death.
- Becomes an irrevocable trust at death and avoids probate.
IS INCLUDED in Gross Estate
Irrevocable Trust
- may not be revoked once created.
- Transfer of assets into trust is considered a completed gift. Owned by trust.
- Must be funded to exist.
- Not subject to estate tax at grantors death.
- Goes around probate.
- Avoids Gross estate.
IS NOT Included in Gross Estate
Good for medical planning, asset protection, tax deductions.
Can be ammended w/ beneficiary okay.
Grantor Trust
- All income taxed to grantor. (basically a revocable trust)
- Allows grantor, grantor spouse or third party the right to revoke or make changes.
- Grantor retains beneficial enjoyment.
Living (inter-vivos) Trust
- Established during grantors lifetime. Effective immediately.
- Funds pass outside the will and probate.
- Title to property inside is in name of trust.
- INCLUDED in Gross Estate.
Testamentary Trust
Created through a will, funded AFTER death.
Possible purposes:
* Reduce Estate Taxes
* Provide Professional investment manager
* make sure estate ends up in right hands.
INCLUDED in Gross Estate
When is the Grantor Taxed?
The Grantor is taxed on income grom the Grantor Trust
When is the trustee (the trust)Taxed?
Taxed on retained income
When is the beneficiary taxed?
Distributed Income, Non-grantor trusts
Who does what?
Grantor - Gives
Trustee - Trust Fiduciary
Beneficiary (remaindermen) - Benefit Receiver
Corpus
Amount of principal in trust
65 Day Rule
Gives trustees 65 days after end of fiscal year to make beneficiary distributions. Can still report on prior year tax return.
Can distibute 65 days into 2024 and still put it on 2023 tax return.
Section 645 Election
Allows trust to have extended payment deadlines
Standby Trust
Used to manage assets if they become incapacitated.
Grantor is trustee & beneficiary.
They set up a successor who steps up when Grantor is incapacitated.
Must file form 1041 if…
- Trust has ANY taxable income for the year.
- Gross income of $600 or more.
- A benficiary who is a non-resident alien.
Distributable Net Income (DNI)
Represents the MAX that can be taxed to beneficiaries.
- When a trust distribution exceeds the DNI Amount, excess is treated as non-taxable transfer of corpus.
- Beneficiary is taxed on the lesser of the DNI allocation or the amount required to be distributed.
Distribution - Income of Trust = Taxed on lesser of income or Distribution.
If 17k of income and 9k Required Distribution from trust… 9k = Taxable amount. 8k = Tax Free Distribution
Grantor Retained Annuity (GRAT)
- Is an irrevocable trust where the grantor places assets and a right to a fixed payment of income (usually annually) for a chosen period.
- Future appreciation of assets will pass to a family member - free of estate taxes if grantor survives the term.
- If grantor does NOT survive term, GRAT continues payment to grantors estate and is subject to estate tax
A is for ANNUITY and the income stream is ALWAYS the same.
Gift tax exposure is reduced if Value of the retained annuity is increased and value of the remainder interest is decreased.
Purpose of GRAT
- Transfer property in the trust at a reduced (or zero) gift tax value.
- Pass appreciation in the GRAT to bene’s with 0 gift tax.
- Reduce value of grantors estate.
Advantages of GRAT
- Estate tax reduction
- Provides income to grantor
- Supports grantor and beneficiariess
Disadvantages of a GRAT
- Initial gift is taxable
- No additional Assets permited
- Beneficiary receives carryover basis
- Loses control of property
- Fixed annuity must be paid no matter what
- Income is subject to creditor claims
Grantor Retained Unitrust (GRUT)
An irrevocable trust into which the grantor places assets and a right to receive income (annually) for a chosen period.
Receive payment of a fixed percentage which is determined annually. Amount of income each year will change based on the value of the account.
U stands for UP AND DOWN. Assets are valued annually, and income stream will go up and down based on that value.
Is useful as an INFLATION HEDGE