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February 22, 2013 at 07:31 AM
In the early hours of Jan. 1, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff. Nearly 20 hours later, the House followed suit. Several surprising outcomes regarding estate planning emerged as part of the deal.
The new tax rates and exemption amounts are set. The federal estate tax rate moves up from 35 percent to 40 percent, with the exemption amount now at $5.25 million, which will be adjusted annually for inflation. For tax-efficiency purposes, married couples can take advantage of the opportunity to pass $10.5 million to loved ones free of estate tax. And spousal portability allows a surviving spouse to utilize any remaining portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate tax exemption amount.
Additionally, the lifetime gift exemption amount has been unified with the estate tax exemption amount at $5.25 million and also will adjust annually for inflation. Many Americans will experience significant income tax increases as a result of the fiscal cliff deal, but the newly established permanent estate tax rates and exemption amount give wealth planners certainty that has been lacking for more than a decade.
The generation-skipping tax (GST) exemption amount has also been set at $5.25 million — assets in trust not used by loved ones can skip to the next generation, tax free. Such a generation skip would normally constitute a taxable event, imposing a 40 percent tax. The GST exemption employed in trust can avoid taxes on trust assets for transferees for 100 years or more, including all the growth in the portfolio. The most widespread use of the GST exemption is for wealthy individuals whose children already enjoy enough assets, will be earning enough assets or will inherit enough assets to assure the greatest likelihood that the trust assets will not be spent during the children’s lifetimes.
The high federal estate and gift tax exemption amounts will ultimately reduce the states’ future revenue. Previously, states received a pickup estate tax that allowed them to collect estate tax from the federal government without additionally charging the estate of the decedent. This was accomplished by giving taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar credit for any state estate taxes paid. The credit expired, which caused most pickup taxes to automatically expire as well.
It is possible that states will construct new methods to make up for budget shortfalls, particularly if the debt ceiling debates carry on. For example, Connecticut’s law requires anyone who gives a gift of $2 million or more to pay gift tax, even though the federal exemption is $5.25 million. Other states could follow suit and impose a gift tax at a lower exemption amount than the federal level — and they could do it retroactively.
See also: NC House panel approves ending ‘death’ tax
For gifts made in 2012, it is critical to check off the final step to ensure the completion of any gift to a trust: the timely filing of a gift tax return. The filing of a complete return starts the three-year clock with the federal government, and once the statute of limitations has run out, the IRS can no longer audit the return. If a return is prepared but does not meet the specific adequate disclosure requirement, the statute of limitations does not start ticking.
