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.”

Media Round-Up: Trump & Year-End Tax Planning Tasks

December 1, 2016 - Media Clips

Investment News
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McManus & Associates recently reviewed the “Top 10 Year-End Tax Planning Tasks” in light of President-Elect Trump’s pre-election tax platform with clients. Soon after, he had a lengthy conversation with Investment News reporter Greg Iacurci on the topic. Iacurci then put together an informative, engaging slideshow based on the discussion, “8 tax moves to make this year ahead of Trump’s presidency.” From the intro:

President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress have said tax reform is a high priority next year. Mr. Trump’s agenda includes items such as repealing the estate tax, consolidating income tax rates and lowering the top income tax brackets.

Although there’s no certainty of any concrete reforms occurring next year, financial advisers are betting on legislation next year and telling clients to make certain moves by year-end.

John McManus, estate-planning attorney and founding principal of McManus & Associates, offers some actions to take this year based on Mr. Trump’s current proposals.

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”

McManus Quoted in Investment News on Estate Tax Changes with Trump Presidency

November 15, 2016 - Media Clips

Investment NewsIf Republicans were to win a repeal of the so-called death tax, contentious Treasury regulations on business valuation discounts would also disappear, according to Investment News Reporter Greg Iacurci. In a new story, “Estate tax repeal no ‘slam dunk’ under Trump and Republican-held Congress,” Iacurci examines how president-elect Donald Trump will govern and what policies he may or may not be able to push through upon taking office. He writes:

Mr. Trump articulated several tax proposals as a candidate on the Republican ticket, focusing on a repeal of the estate tax, consolidation of income tax rates and lowering the top tax brackets, and standardization of tax rates across businesses.

But even if the death tax is repealed, McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus brings the estate tax victory into perspective. From the article:

Financial planners and tax payers should keep in mind that the laws around estate taxes come and go, said John O. McManus, founding principal of McManus & Associates.

“Even if the federal estate tax evaporates under Trump, that is never permanent,” he said, pointing out that in 2010 the estate tax exemption was reduced to zero, only to have it set at $1 million for the following year.

Head over to Investment News to read the full story. For trusted advice on tax and estate planning strategies in light of Trump’s intended policies, call McManus & Associates at 908-898-0100.

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.

Trusts & Estates Publishes Feature Slideshow by John O. McManus on International Estate Planning Issues

September 16, 2016 - Media Clips

trusts and estates logoIn Wednesday’s edition of “The Estate Planner,” a newsletter for estate planning practitioners, a Trusts & Estates/WealthManagement.com slideshow-feature by McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus was highlighted as a lead article. The item, “Top 10 Multinational Issues in Estate Planning,” appears with the preview text: “The complexities of estate and tax planning on an international scale can quickly ensnare the unaware.”

For the Trusts & Estates slideshow, the publication harnessed guidance issued by McManus & Associates for its recent “Beyond Our Borders” conference call with clients, which is part of the firm’s educational focus series. In this installment, McManus shed light on issues ranging from Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR) to international guardianship, foreign succession laws and foreign trusts.

Wall Street Journal Cites Tips from McManus for Avoiding and Properly Handling Sweetheart Scams

September 2, 2016 - Media Clips

wsj logoWall Street Journal Columnist Veronica Dagher penned a new article this week, “How to Avoid, Detect and Respond to Romance Scams.” The piece provides steps that readers can take to protect themselves (and their parents) from these fraudulent attacks, as well as things to do if the swindling has, unfortunately, already taken place.

As revealed by Dagher, so-called sweetheart scams cost victims nearly $120 million in the first half of 2016, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. How are these criminals finding success? “The fraudsters are ‘very adept at playing on the vulnerability of human emotions’…With some senior citizens, they are also playing on a lack of tech savvy.”

Dagher buckets the steps to avoid and address these scams, as follows:

1)      Check the Connection

2)      Check In With Your Parents

3)      Check the Pressure

4)      Report It

McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus is cited and quoted in the “Check In With Your Parents” and “Report It” sections. From the article:

“Stay in touch and call your parents often so that they don’t become vulnerable to scammers,” says John McManus, an attorney in New Providence, N.J., who has helped several senior citizens who were victims of fraud…If your parents do fall victim to a scam, show compassion, says Mr. McManus. Help them keep their dignity and understand that anyone can be wrongly manipulated at any age, he says.

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”

McManus & Associates Named One of AI’s Top 50 Legal Elite

August 30, 2016 - Firm News

AI Legal Elite

McManus & Associates has been named one of Acquisition International’s (AI) Top 50 Legal Elite. According to its website, “AI is a monthly magazine that seeks to inform, entertain, influence, and shape the global corporate conversation through a combination of high quality editorial, rigorous research and an experienced and dedicated worldwide network of advisors, experts and contributors.” It has over 108,500+ subscribers that range from business leaders to investors.