Tax / Estate & Wealth Planning
Showing 2193–2208 of 2222 results
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Balance competing goals with a QTIP trust
May / June 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1179
Abstract: Estate planning can be a delicate balancing act. People want to provide for their spouses, but they also want to preserve a significant amount of wealth for their children. They want to minimize federal gift and estate taxes, but also maintain control over their assets during their lives. A qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust is a versatile tool that can help people strike a balance between these often competing goals. This article discusses the ins and outs of a QTIP trust.
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A simple plan – Installment sale offers alternative to complex estate planning strategies
May / June 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 938
Abstract: An installment sale can be an effective technique for transferring a family business, real estate or other assets a person expects to appreciate dramatically in the future. By selling the property — at fair market value — to loved ones rather than gifting it, a person can avoid gift taxes on the transfer and freeze the property’s value for estate tax purposes as of the sale date. This article details an installment sale.
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Tax Tips
May / June 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 533
Abstract: News items briefly discussed are depreciation, estate planning for noncitizens, disability insurance and charitable gift deduction requirements.
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Private foundations – Retain control over your donated funds — for a price
May / June 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 919
Abstract: It used to be that the cost of setting up and operating a private foundation was justified only if you planned to contribute several million dollars. But that cost has dropped dramatically over the years, so this strategy may be worth a look for donors making initial contributions as low as $250,000. Of course, whether a private foundation is right for you depends on your circumstances. This article explores reasons to set up a private foundation and potential pitfalls.
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Are your compensation arrangements in compliance?
May / June 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 858
Abstract: Late last year, the IRS gave businesses a reprieve until Jan. 1, 2009, to bring nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements and documents into compliance. The extension is welcome news for many companies that were wrestling with complex final regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to comply with the regulations yet, because “good-faith” compliance with Sec. 409A itself and IRS guidelines has been required since 2005. Of course, the best way to demonstrate good faith is to continue your compliance efforts. This article looks at Sec. 409A requirements, including how they affect stock options.
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Vacation homes provide tax planning opportunities, pitfalls
May / June 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1159
Abstract: If you own a vacation home, it pays to consider the tax implications, especially if you plan to use the home for both personal enjoyment and rental income. In some cases, minor adjustments in the way you use the home can reduce your tax bill. This article reviews the differences between residence and rental classification of a vacation home, and the tax implications.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You and your spouse own most of your property as joint tenants
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 349
Abstract: There’s a common misconception that holding property as joint tenants with rights of survivorship is an effective estate planning technique. But if a person’s wealth exceeds the $2 million estate tax exemption and that person and his or her spouse own most of their property as joint tenants, the person is losing out on valuable estate planning opportunities. This short article discusses a better strategy: owning property as tenants in common.
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Estate planning in the 21st century
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 472
Abstract: The digital revolution has changed virtually every aspect of life, and estate planning is no exception. Today, many people do business, communicate and manage their finances online. The result is a wealth of “digital assets,” which may take the form of e-mails, online accounts or other information stored on the Web or remote servers. Unfortunately, in many cases, when the owners of these assets die, the user names, passwords, security codes and other protections die with them. This article explains why it’s important to leave loved ones with instructions on how to access digital accounts.
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Many happy returns – Total return unitrusts align beneficiaries’ interests
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1106
Abstract: At times, traditional trusts can create conflicts among beneficiaries, making it more difficult for a person’s estate plan to achieve its objectives and placing trustees in a difficult position. A total return unitrust (TRU) may offer a solution. This article details how a TRU works and discusses how to use a TRU for postmortem planning.
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Should you donate real estate to charity?
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1010
Abstract: The real estate “bubble” may have burst, but many landowners continue to hold property that has appreciated significantly in value. One option for tax efficiently divesting such real estate is to donate it to charity. But there are several tax traps for the unwary. This article explains the obstacles and how to sidestep them.
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Your assets haven’t been valued by an independent appraiser
March / April 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 242
Abstract: The best way to substantiate asset values reported in gift and estate tax returns is with an independent valuation by a qualified appraiser. In numerous recent matters before the U.S. Tax Court and other federal courts, taxpayers won or lost their cases based on the qualifications, methods and testimony of their valuation experts. This short article explains the pitfalls of not having assets appraised by an independent valuator.
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Life insurance planning: Avoiding the 3-year rule
March / April 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 742
Abstract: Life insurance is a fundamental component of most estate plans. And with proper planning, the insurance proceeds can also be exempt from estate taxes. The key to keeping life insurance out of a person’s taxable estate is to make sure he or she doesn’t own the policy or possess any “incidents of ownership” in it, such as the right to change beneficiaries or borrow against its cash surrender value. This article details how to keep insurance proceeds out of an estate.
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Going offshore – Do your assets need an extra layer of protection?
March / April 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 862
Abstract: Offshore financial planning may evoke images of international spies wiring funds into secret, numbered bank accounts, but the reality is far more mundane. Still, if a person’s wealth is substantial and his or her business exposes him or her to the risk of frivolous lawsuits, an offshore trust can provide an extra layer of protection. This article explores how offshore trusts can protect assets.
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Cash flow control – Design a CRT as a “spigot trust” to manage income stream
March / April 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1045
Abstract: A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a flexible tool that can facilitate a variety of estate and financial planning strategies. If a person doesn’t need the income from a CRT right away, he or she can design it as a “spigot” trust, which allows the assets to grow tax-deferred until he or she is ready to turn on the income flow, such as at retirement. This article explains the ins and outs of spigot trusts.
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Tax Tips
March / April 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: News items briefly discussed are Health Savings Accounts, trading life insurance for cash, contractor vs. employee relationships, and the importance of an estate contingency plan.
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529 plans – A college savings strategy that makes the grade
March / April 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 583
Abstract: As the cost of a college education continues to soar, it’s more important than ever to design an investment strategy that prepares your family for this major expense. The 529 plan has now emerged as perhaps the most powerful tool for financing higher education costs. This article focuses on the tax advantages of 529 plans.