Tag: tax law

WEBINAR: Proposed Tax Law Changes for 2022

October 11, 2021 - Conference Call, Guidance

Autumn 2021 Webinar

For its budget proposal for 2022, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee proposed amendments to the Internal Revenue Code.

Over the past year, McManus & Associates has shared the dangers of this coming tax legislation impacting families’ efforts to transfer their wealth.

The tax legislation reflects many of the concerns that we have shared over the past year in anticipation of the current Administration’s efforts to enact significant obstacles for affluent families to transfer their wealth effectively.

In addition to the expected reduction of the tax exemption for lifetime gifts and estates, the potential House budget also seeks to:

 ·       Drastically diminish the powerful benefits of irrevocable grantor trusts – which are widely used to transfer wealth.

 ·       Hamstring the effectiveness of Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) – one of the most powerful strategies to effectively transfer the growth of one’s estate while maintaining the original wealth.

 ·       Eliminate valuation discounts on the transfer of private businesses, including family partnerships and limited liability companies – frequently used to compress gift and estate values to minimize taxation.

Watch the video to review the urgencies presented by these possible tax law changes and to hear McManus & Associates’ perspective on planning during a period of continuing uncertainty. For recommendations tailored to your circumstances, contact the firm at 908.898.0100.

Conference Call: 6 Strategies for Smart Year-End Planning under New Tax Laws

October 25, 2018 - Conference Call

Before we know it, the calendar will turn to 2019. Today, McManus & Associates Founding Principal John O. McManus held a conference call with clients to impart insight on year-end tax strategies, in light of the new tax laws, to implement by December 31st. McManus also covered annual end-of-year essentials. Listen to a recording of the discussion by clicking below:

 

 

1.    TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LIMITED-TIME OPPORTUNITY: Since the estate tax was not repealed at the end of last year and the increased estate tax exemption is temporary, what can high-net worth families do to minimize future estate tax?
2.    GET SET TO OFFSET: If you’ve already sold appreciated investments or a business in 2018 and will incur significant capital gains taxes, what can you do to enjoy a deduction and aid in offsetting the gain?
3.    PLAN TO SAVE: The drastic limitation on the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction for Federal income tax purposes means that those who anticipate selling appreciated investments or a business in the next few years will experience unusually high capital gains taxes—but what can you do so that State capital gains taxes will not be imposed?
4.    ADD TO YOUR INCOME TAX TOOLBOX: In spite of the marginal reduction of the Federal income tax rates, now that the Federal deduction on SALT has been significantly constrained, we will all have even more income tax exposure on investments. Can life insurance function as an income tax planning solution?
5.    ENSURE YOU’RE UTILIZING INSURANCE: High-net worth families will continue to have State and Federal estate tax exposure, so what must remain an essential component of any well-constructed estate plan?
6.    THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: For those who have Estate Tax vulnerabilities but are elderly or in poor health, the acquisition of a life insurance policy may be uneconomical or impossible for those individuals, but how can life insurance reduce State and Federal Estate Tax while also creating wealth for future generations?

 

ADDITIONAL YEAR-END ESSENTIALS

 

THE ABCs OF ESTATE PLANNING PROTECTIONS: Regardless of tax law changes, it’s important to go back to the basics with estate planning on an annual basis. Proper year-end planning should always consider the following:
·     Incapacity concerns
·     The dangers of passing away without a will
·     Probate pitfalls
·     Insurance as creditor-protection planning
·     Foreign reporting requirements
·     U.S. estate tax exposure for non-resident aliens
·     Business succession issues

Conference Call: “Top 10 Estate Planning Considerations to Complete Before Year-End”

November 22, 2013 - Conference Call

Yesterday, McManus & Associates held a client conference call reviewing several immediate strategies that clients should consider employing before year-end. With the proposed tax reforms listed in President Obama’s budget, certain planning strategies are in the crosshairs and may not be around for long. Although legislation next year could be made retroactive to January 1, 2014, if you act before the end of 2013 such changes will not affect your planning. Get inside the castle walls now.

During the half-hour call, the firm shares effective strategies and highlights maintenance items required to ensure one’s family wealth remains protected. Below are the 10 questions that will be answered by listening to the recording.

LISTEN HERE: “Top 10 Considerations for Estate Planning with Life Insurance”

  1. Laws could change with new revenue debates. Have you made lifetime gifts in trust? Created a grantor trust?
  2. Have you made sure to operate your family LLC/Limited partnership as a legitimate business? What should you do before year-end?
  3. What should you give away? Are you planning to make annual exclusion gifts, gift appreciated securities etc? Have you prepared Crummey notices?
  4. Should you create lifetime trusts for your children? Have you given your trustees a limited power of appointment?
  5. What can you prepay? What should you prepay? Home, deductibles, medical expenses, major year-end purchases?
  6. Have you crossed any major milestones this year? Do you have children who turned 18 this year? Do the fiduciaries and guardians named in your documents still reflect your current wishes? Are your powers of attorney up to date?
  7. Have you made contributions to your family foundation and/or donated to charity?
  8. Are you over 70 ½? How to use Required Minimum Distribution to your advantage.
  9. Create GRATs or QPRTs. Given the current interest rates what should you consider?
  10. How should you consider harvesting capital gains, timing long-term losses?

Give us a call at 908-898-0100. We can help you identify which strategies you should implement now before the calendar rolls over to 2014.