The Impact of One Big Beautiful Bill on Estate Planning
Once Removed Episode 19: The Step-Transaction Doctrine and the Case of Smaldino
Once Removed Episode 18: The Reciprocal Trust Doctrine
Charitable Planning With Guest Stephanie Hood: Navigating Complex Rules and Traps for the Unwary
Once Removed Episode 16: Gift and Estate Tax, Inflation Adjustments for 2024
Once Removed Episode 17: Annual Gifting to Individuals: Options, Opportunities and Pitfalls
Once Removed Episode 12: SLATs and the Case of McKim vs. McKim
Once Removed Episode 11: Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, or SLATs
Once Removed Episode 10: Trustee Removal and Case Update on Leo Kahn Revocable Trust
(A)ESOP's Fables - The Income and Estate Tax-Free ESOP
The Renoir Spelling Bee
Taking the Sting Out of Death Taxes with Dylan Metzner, Jones & Keller
RETURN TO FOREVER - What Game Shall We Play Today?
To Give or Not to Give: Considerations for Year-End Gifting
INTRODUCING MALTA SPLIT DOLLAR
THE PAPER CHASE
With a Little Help from My Friends
The Greatest Gift: Your Individual + Family Estate Plan
President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending package requires attention from both individuals and estate planners to advance their estate and income tax planning objectives. Originally Published by Bloomberg Law. ...more
On July 4, 2025,, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) became law. The Act itself was almost 1,000 pages. It made many of the provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and included new federal tax provisions....more
This session of the Private Client West Cost Forum 2024 discussed best avenues for family offices and their advisors to consider when managing a complex post-death administration, including steps to address and anticipate...more
December 2024 Interest Rates for GRATs, Sales to Defective Grantor Trusts, Intra-Family Loans and Split-Interest Charitable Trusts - The December Section 7520 rate for use in estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs,...more
In 2018, as part of the “Trump tax cuts,” the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption was increased to $11,180,000, with annual increases for inflation. Today, the exemption stands at...more
With the looming elections, tax planners have taken time to consider what the future of Estate and Gift Tax planning might be under the new Congress. Every new Congress considers changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,...more
Non-Americans who undertake estate and trust planning for their American citizen or resident family members should be aware of the unique tax issues that face Americans and consider these issues when doing their planning....more
Estate planning and wealth transfer professionals have their eyes on the sky as the future of federal estate taxation grows increasingly nebulous. Background - The federal gift and estate tax exemption is the amount...more
The New Year brings with it new estate and gift tax exemption and exclusion amounts. In 2017, a new tax law doubled the federal estate and gift tax exemption. And that exemption amount has increased each year between 2018...more
McDermott’s Private Client Practice led interactive discussions on a broad range of topics pertinent to ultra-high-net-worth families, their family office representatives and other advisors at our Private Client West Coast...more
Wealthy American families are rushing to relinquish wealth before the end of 2025 when Trump’s 2017 estate tax cuts are set to expire. Families with a net worth of approximately $10 million or higher are working with their...more
Although the IRS is now on high alert for wealthy individuals, new and existing planning opportunities are available, such as tax-free gifts and other advantageous planning. Wealthy individuals and families should take...more
On October 4, 2023, Massachusetts enacted a new law called “An Act to improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equity” (the “Act”). The Act makes several tax law changes relevant to Massachusetts...more
May 2023 Interest Rates for GRATs, Sales to Defective Grantor Trusts, Intra-Family Loans and Split-Interest Charitable Trusts - The May Section 7520 rate for use in estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs, QPRTs and...more
The April Section 7520 rate for use with estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs, QPRTs and GRATs is 5.0%. The April applicable federal rate (“AFR”) for use with a sale to a defective grantor trust or intra-family loan...more
Rising rates spark interest in charitable remainder trusts - If you wish to leave a charitable legacy while generating income during your lifetime, a charitable remainder trust (CRT) may be a viable solution. In addition...more
As we head into the last quarter of the year, many clients are thinking about making gifts to their family members. It can also be a good time to plan to make gifts in January of next year....more
Earlier this year the stock market entered bear market territory. This happens when the market declines more than 20% or more from its most recent high. The market decline has been attributed to several factors including...more
The June Section 7520 rate for use with estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs, QPRTs and GRATs is 3.6%, an increase from the May rate of 3.0%. The June applicable federal rate (“AFR”) for use with a sale to a...more
Each year, the IRS considers inflationary adjustments to the estate and gift tax exemption amount and gift tax annual exclusion amount. As you consider estate planning or making gifts during the new year, here are the numbers...more
After months of speculation, 2022 began with no new federal estate and gift tax legislation. As the proposed legislation wended its way through the legislative process in 2021, the major proposed changes to federal estate...more
Act Now Before the Window of Opportunity Closes - By now you have probably heard that the House Ways and Means Committee introduced legislation a few weeks ago (see Let the Estate Tax Planning Games Begin - But Where Will...more
On September 10, 2021, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means released a draft of proposed legislation that, if enacted into law, would reduce the estate tax exemption and significantly limit the effectiveness of certain...more
“President Biden and Democrats in the Congress have been working on a $3.5 trillion spending and tax package, and the details are starting to be revealed. Indeed, on Sunday, September 12th, the House Ways and Means Committee...more
What does it mean to be a U.S. income taxpayer? Very simply, it means that you are taxable on your worldwide income and gains, even if you don't live full-time in the U.S. Any U.S. citizen is likely already familiar with this...more