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The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) effectively doubled the federal lifetime gift and estate tax exemptions from $5 million to $10 million, with adjustments for inflation from year to year. And while the federal exemption will increase in 2025 due to inflation, the provisions of the TCJA, which expanded the exemption amounts, are […]
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The SECURE ACT of 2020 set forth new rules for inherited retirement accounts (“IRAs”), but there was confusion as to when a beneficiary must take withdrawals from the IRAs. The Treasury issued Proposed Regulations on February 23, 2022, and although these regulations are not final, they provide clarity. Below is a summary of the minimum […]
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The end of the year is fast approaching. While these last few months bring holidays and celebrations, they also provide a perfect opportunity to review your finances and annual checklists and make sure that your estate plan is ready for the new year. Don’t let the ball drop on 2023 without ensuring that you’ve made […]
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The cost of education continues to soar. Paying for the education of your children, grandchildren, or other loved ones may be an important part of your estate plan. One option is state-sponsored 529 saving plans, which are popular due to their income tax-saving benefits. The funds in 529 plans grow income tax-free and can then […]
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The COVID-19 pandemic has made remote work more accessible and led many people to reevaluate their priorities and rethink where they want to spend their lives. Some people want to live closer to family or find more affordable housing, while others seek a higher quality of living or more work-life balance. Whatever the reason may […]
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Charitable planning is an important element for many estate plans – whether your primary purpose is minimizing the estate tax burden for your loved ones or whether charitable giving is a lifetime habit that you wish to continue, retirement assets can be a wise choice of assets for those who are looking to leave a […]
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The term “windfall” was first coined in the 15th century to equate unexpectedly good fortune with fruit falling from the sky. Just as an apple can drop to the ground without the need for a ladder, certain people wake up one day with access to a life-altering fortune without even lifting a finger. If you […]
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Life insurance is often one of the first investments people consider when they begin estate planning. The right policy can help cover certain expenses for your beneficiaries after you pass. However, choosing the right life insurance policy for you and your family can be a difficult and confusing process. Policies vary widely in their terms. […]
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Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, or GRATs as they are commonly known, are a powerful tax-saving tool used by estate planners to shift assets with significant potential appreciation to beneficiaries without utilizing their lifetime gift tax exemption. When creating a GRAT, your assets are placed within an irrevocable trust which expires after a set period while […]
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Sometimes, the name given to certain federal tax laws disguises the full scope of the laws and the impact the laws may have on you individually. For example, the gift tax laws not only apply to formal gifts from one person to another, but they also apply to transfers whenever the donor shifts assets without […]
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