John O. McManus Featured Expert for Next Avenue (PBS)

Posted on November 24, 2015- Media Clips

The following article written by John O. McManus first appeared on Next Avenue (PBS).

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5 Ways to Keep Capital Gains Taxes Down

How traditional estate planning is being turned on its head

By John O. McManus

November 23, 2015

FEATURED EXPERT

The time-honored approach to estate planning is being turned on its head by significant tax law changes that have taken effect in recent years.

Long-term capital gains tax rates now range from 25 percent to 33 percent (when you add together the top federal, state and local rates and Obamacare’s Medicare surtax). So now that the federal estate tax exemption is $5.43 million ($10.86 million for a couple’s combined exemptions), many Americans may no longer be exposed to federal estate taxes, making taxes on income and capital gains more prominent.

McManus Speaks to Year-End Tax Planning Strategies for Investment News

Posted on November 5, 2015- Media Clips

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Reporter Greg Iacurci tackled year-end tax planning strategies in a recent piece for Investment News. To help identify where the focus of advisers should be, Iacurci spoke with John O. McManus, estate planning attorney and founder of McManus & Associates.

The Investment News story, “Year-end tax planning strategies advisers should be considering,” encourages exploration of end-of-year tax considerations now, with just two months left in 2015. As Iacurci points out, “tax rules are largely unchanged,” so “tactics employed last year will more than likely still be relevant.”

Educational Focus Series: Top 10 Possibilities of Portability

Posted on 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”

McManus Raises Concern about Reverse Mortgages in Investment News Article

Posted on October 12, 2015- Media Clips

investmentnewslogoGreg Iacurci, reporter for Investment News, recently explored reverse mortgages, a type of home equity loan for borrowers age 62 and older that allow homeowners to access part of their home equity in cash. For his story, “Advisers like reverse mortgages, but only in unique circumstances,” Iacurci interviewed John O. McManus, founding principal of McManus & Associates, who shared some words of caution.

While reverse mortgages may be an ok option for clients who plan to stay in their home indefinitely and who could use some supplemental income, McManus warned against draining one of your most valuable assets to pass down to children or other loved ones.

VIDEO: John McManus Presents Estate Planning 101 at FAE

Posted on October 1, 2015- Firm News

John O. McManus recently presented on Estate Planning Basics at the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE). Sharing compelling client examples and colorful analogies to aid understanding, McManus discussed Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, and Living Wills.

In addition to learning about essential estate planning vehicles, watch video of the presentation below for answers to important questions related to estate tax planning and planning for incapacity.

McManus Interviewed by The Washington Post on Money Milestones

Posted on September 23, 2015- Media Clips

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Washington Post Reporter Jonnelle Marte recently interviewed McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus on financial goals that people should aim to achieve in their 40s. Jonnelle’s piece, “5 Money Milestones to Hit While You’re in Your 40s,” was published last week and re-published by Tulsa World on Sunday.

McManus’ insight informs two milestones from the article: one related to wills & estate planning and the other life insurance. From the story, here’s Milestone #4:

4. Update your will and estate plan: A few things may have changed since you last reviewed your will. You might have had another child, gotten divorced or been newly married. These changes would make it time to update your will to make sure your home, savings and other assets will go to the appropriate people after you die, Turner says. “If your ex-spouse is the beneficiary for your retirement plan you want to change that,” Turner says, adding that people should double check the beneficiaries for your 401(k) and life insurance policies.

The rules for how a person’s estate will be broken up after death vary from state to state, says Peter Creedon, a financial adviser in Mount Sinai, N.Y. For instance, some states may pass assets on to a domestic partner while other states will not, Creedon says, making the will the best method for explaining who should inherit assets. Talk to a lawyer or financial adviser about getting the documents in order. People with simple situations may get by using online services such as LegalZoom, which will create a will for prices starting at $69.

Parents should name guardians and put together a plan for what should happen to their children if they died, says John O. McManus, a trusts and estates lawyer in New York City. Those instructions can include guidelines for medical treatment and preferences on what type of school they would like their child to attend, he says. Parents who have amassed a sizeable amount of savings — think millions — may want to create a trust that would help them pass the money on to their children in a tax efficient way, he says.

McManus Weighs In on Critical Healthcare Issue during NPR Episode

Posted on September 11, 2015- Media Clips, News

The Leonard Lopate Show covers issues of interest to New Yorkers, from contemporary art to current events. It’s in the NPR family and is produced by WNYC.

Yesterday, the radio show explored the extremely important topic “How to Access the Best Healthcare” with guest Leslie Michelson, author of The Patient’s Playbook: How to Save Your Life and the Lives of Those You Love. The episode, which focused on how to be a smarter health care consumer, was introduced with the fact that 400,000 Americans die every year from preventable medical errors. And many others “receive less than optimal care, even though it’s readily available to them and their insurance will cover it.” With priceless advice on how to avoid being a victim of this crisis, Michelson discussed how to choose the right doctor, coordinate the best care, and make good medical decisions.

John O. McManus, who has decades of experience ensuring that families are prepared and protected when faced with dire medical situations, called in during the show to add a key observation: It’s critical to name people who will step in and act on your behalf, if you are ever incapacitated. Without choosing representatives to serve as our advocates, we’re left at the mercy of the medical community.

CAPITAL GAINS TAX: The Top 10 Current Issues and Planning Opportunities

Posted on September 10, 2015- Conference Call

The rise in capital gains tax rates and the higher federal estate tax exemption have shifted the estate planning paradigm. Across the nation, long-term capital gains tax rates now range from 25% to 33%, with the combination of the top federal, state and local rates, along with the Medicare surtax. This demands a fresh look at current planning strategies.

When assets are included in an estate, they are subject to estate tax, but the assets enjoy a step-up in basis for income-tax purposes. Gains tax can then be avoided. However, if there is no estate tax because the gross estate assets are below the estate tax exemption amount, then it may make sense to keep assets inside the estate.

Many estate planning attorneys have spent the first half of their careers getting assets out of their clients’ estates, but now they might spend the second half of their careers getting assets back into their clients’ estates (for those individual estates under $5.43MM or joint estates under about $11MM).

As part of McManus & Associates’ Educational Conference Call series, John O. McManus this month examined how to shift gears in light of new, unique opportunities. We invite you to listen to the recording to find detailed information on the Top 10 issues and planning opportunities related to capital gains tax.

LISTEN HERE: “Top 10 Current Issues and Planning Opportunities with Capital Gains Tax”

McManus Guidance on How Parents Can Help Protect Young-Adult Children Featured in College Series

Posted on August 14, 2015- Media Clips

Colleen Moriarty, a seasoned health and lifestyle writer and a staff writer for Addiction.com, recently tapped McManus & Associates for advice on important legal documents that should be put in place for children who are already 18 or will soon be of legal age before they head off to school. Her article, “Help Your Child Stay Safe at College”, is part of a series called Off to College 2015: The First Six Weeks.

Moriarty’s article opens by shedding light on the importance of planning ahead to protect college-bound children, because, as McManus points out:

“If an accident, emergency, mental health crisis or trouble with substance abuse should arise after your son or daughter’s 18th birthday, you have little or no legal right to step in without legal documents that explicitly give you that authority.”

The Art of Gifting: Top 10 Issues with Owning and Gifting Artwork

Posted on August 10, 2015- Conference Call

Owning artwork is not only a cultural indulgence, but the sophisticated (and the lucky) possess artwork as an investment that can provide a handsome return. Auction houses, most recently Christie’s, have seen record-setting bids as fine art wrestles to take its position as an asset class equal to equities, commodities, and other hard assets. In light of the increase in capital gains tax combined with the collector’s desire to reduce the imposition of income tax and estate tax, the field is ripe for sophisticated planning.

As part of it Educational Conference Call series, John O. McManus this month discussed strategies to addresses the hard and soft issues surrounding the ownership and transfer of art. We invite you to listen to the recording to find detailed information on the Top 10 issues with owning and gifting artwork that follows, whether you’re an artist, dealer, investor or collector.

LISTEN HERE: “Top 10 Issues with Owning and Gifting Artwork”