Category: Conference Call

Conference Call: 10 “Must Do” Estate Planning Strategies While We Wait for Congress to Act

May 4, 2017 - Conference Call

The election of Donald Trump to the presidency and Republican control of both houses of Congress make estate tax reform extremely likely in the next two years.  However, given the incoming administration’s other proclaimed priorities, including the repeal of Obamacare, minimization of illegal immigration, increases in defense spending and infrastructure improvements, there are already questions about the feasibility of adopting all of the proposed tax initiatives. Furthermore, there is much uncertainty about particular aspects of the Republican tax proposal (including a replacement tax on the wealthy), and there is already concern about the likely impermanence of any new legislation. These factors highlight the importance of flexibility in preparing an estate plan and proceeding with wealth transfers suited to the current political and economic circumstances.

In a recent conference call with clients, McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus highlighted the current appealing strategies and opportunities available as part of an estate plan. Click below to hear him discuss the following list:

LISTEN HERE for details: “10 ‘Must Do’ Estate Planning Strategies While We Wait for Congress to Act”

  1. Annual exclusion gifts
  2. Lifetime exemption gifts
  3. Short-term and mid-term Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)
  4. Estate Freeze Installment Sales
  5. Family Limited Partnerships
  6. Upstream Gifting
  7. Community Property Trusts
  8. Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT)
  9. Drafting Flexibility in Core Planning Documents
  10. Philanthropic Planning

Conference Call: Top 10 Ways to Solidify an Estate Plan Post-Execution

March 2, 2017 - Conference Call, Guidance

Execute and shelve is not an effective approach to estate planning. McManus & Associates, a top-rated estate planning law firm celebrating 25 years of success, today revealed the “Top 10 Ways to Solidify an Estate Plan Post-Execution,” a recent installment in its Educational Focus Series. During a conference call with clients, the firm’s Founding Principal and AV-rated Attorney John O. McManus shared tips on how to build a solid and complete Estate Plan to protect and nurture your family today and for generations to come.

“To make your estate plan solid, there are numerous issues to consider and actions to be taken that extend far beyond drafting documents,” commented McManus. “Building a foundation through strategic planning and establishing the framework for one’s legacy are important steps, but until all the core elements of the structure are in place, there’s more work to do.

“Today, in the Trump Era, with all the uncertainty about where the estate tax and income tax regimes converge and diverge, it is critical to ensure that core protection work is completed as we batten down the hatches, protecting for the storm of changes most certainly on the horizon. To ignore fully completing this core work as we await changes to more complex tax issues is not the most conservative approach. In fact, some have said that to neglect core planning is tantamount to being reckless with one’s loved ones.

McManus added, “As family dynamics and the legal environment evolve, it’s particularly important after the core work is completed to revisit and revise that portion of one’s estate plan, as needed.”

LISTEN HERE for details: “Top 10 Ways to Solidify an Estate Plan Post-Execution”

Conference Call: 9 Year-End Charitable Tips for 2016 and Philanthropic Strategies for 2017 and Beyond

December 14, 2016 - Conference Call, Guidance

Year-end giving allows you to positively impact the greater good by helping charities in need, while reducing your 2016 tax liability. During a new conference call with clients, John O. McManus shares important advice on how to give now to capture the greatest income tax deductions, and he identifies tax-efficient estate planning vehicles to consider for your ongoing philanthropic mission.

LISTEN HERE: “9 Year-End Charitable Tips for 2016 and Philanthropic Strategies for 2017 and Beyond”

“The result of this year’s election makes taking advantage of deductions in 2016 even more urgent and more important,” explained McManus. “Income tax rates will likely go down in 2017, reducing the value of deductions. Because tax deductions are more impactful when tax rates are higher, consider making your charitable gifts for 2017 before the end of 2016.”

Conference Call: Top 10 Tax Planning Tasks to Complete before the End of 2016 in Light of President-Elect Trump’s Proposals

November 16, 2016 - Conference Call

In light of Donald Trump’s election and his pre-election platform to reduce marginal income tax rates, there are several planning strategies that should be considered as part of your year-end planning. Today, McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus held a conference call with clients to discuss the 10 items listed below.

LISTEN HERE: “Top 10 Tax Planning Tasks to Complete before the End of 2016 in Light of President-Elect Trump’s Proposals”

Conference Call: The Truth behind ‘Trumped Up, Trickle Down’ and Clinton’s ‘War on the Wealthy’

October 13, 2016 - Conference Call

Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton presented their tax plans in the first quarter of this year, but both candidates modified their proposals in September. McManus & Associates Founding Principal and AV-rated Attorney John O. McManus offered his thoughts on the impact that each proposal would have on tax planning and wealth management. To hear discussion on the salient points from each of the candidates’ tax plans, click below:

LISTEN HERE for details: “The Truth behind ‘Trumped Up, Trickle Down’ and Clinton’s ‘War on the Wealthy'”

Conference Call: Proposed Treasury Regulations and Discounting

September 20, 2016 - Conference Call, Guidance

Proposed IRS regulations were recently issued that would eliminate discounting of transfers of family business interests. Valuation discounting is now time-sensitive, as this opportunity is scheduled to be eliminated, possibly by the end of the year.

Partnerships are sophisticated vehicles for unifying family investments, providing for the orderly transfer of assets, delivering asset protection, and maintaining centralizing control. These partnerships are legitimate entities that facilitate the distribution of wealth to family members and the growth of family assets. Partnerships also afford the opportunity for discounts on asset transfer to family members; while discounting is not the number one reason for creating partnerships, the strategy is worth noting.

The Treasury Department has finally issued its dreaded proposed regulations limiting discounted transfers among family members. This means the clock is ticking until the public hearing on December 1, 2016, which will help determine the strategy’s fate. Final regulations can be issued at any time after that date and will become effective 30 days after their issuance.

Conference Call: Beyond Our Borders – Top 10 Multinational Issues in Estate Planning

August 31, 2016 - Conference Call

We live in an increasingly global world. Today, many people travel regularly for work and pleasure, and have investments and loved ones abroad. From different law codes to increasing scrutiny from world governments, the complexities of estate and tax planning on an international scale are ready to ensnare the uninitiated. Whether you are a U.S. citizen with assets abroad, or a U.S. resident living overseas with ties back home, it is important to keep up to date on these multinational issues.

Recently, McManus & Associates held a conference call on multinational issues in estate planning, as part of its educational conference call series. Replay the discussion or read about it below!

LISTEN HERE for details: “Top 10 Multinational Issues in Estate Planning”

Conference Call: Tax and Estate Planning Considerations for Same-Sex Couples

June 21, 2016 - Conference Call, Press Releases

Nearly a year ago, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges, delivering a historic decision in favor of State recognition for same-sex marriage. Exactly two years prior to this decision, in United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage for federal purposes as existing only between one man and one woman.

“In its most basic terms, recognition of same-sex marriage equates to the simple fact that a spouse is now a spouse, irrespective of gender, in the eyes of the law,” commented McManus. “Today, there are opportunities and protections within reach for same-sex couples that were unavailable during most of American history.”

Recently, during a conference call with clients, McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus shed light on the far-reaching effects of these Supreme Court decisions.

LISTEN HERE for details: “Top 10 Tax and Estate Planning Considerations for Same-Sex Couples”

Educational Focus Series: Top 10 Possibilities of Portability

October 24, 2015 - Conference Call

A significant opportunity presented by Uncle Sam, portability was first introduced as part of Tax Relief Unemployment Reauthorization and the Job Creation Act of 2010. It was scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2012 but was made permanent with passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. McManus & Associates, a top-rated estate planning law firm with offices in New York and New Jersey, today released the “Top 10 Possibilities of Portability.” Part of the firm’s Educational Focus Series, the discussion was led by Founding Principal and AV-rated Attorney John O. McManus, who shared guidance on transferring unused federal estate tax exemption amounts and the critical steps that must be taken to utilize this important estate and income tax tool.

LISTEN HERE: “Top 10 Possibilities of Portability”