Federal estate and gift taxes are among the highest you and your family could ever pay. And sometimes states impose their own taxes on these types of transactions.
The more you understand about estate taxes, the more you’ll be able to give.
Plan ahead
Federal estate taxes are based on your estate’s taxable value and collected before the inheritance is passed on. Your estate is tax-free up to a certain amount. And there are several deductions you can use to reduce the size of your estate, like marital and charitable deductions of unlimited amounts. But note that gifts above the exclusion amount given while you’re still alive count toward this limit. An attorney or tax professional can help you factor taxes into your overall estate plan.
Give more
As you consider how to distribute your assets, and to whom, make taxes an integral part of your estate planning process. Know how cash, investments, life insurance, and real estate will be taxed in your situation. And explore the possible tax benefits of trusts.
An attorney or tax professional can help explore your options and possibilities.
Give now
You can transfer money while you’re still alive to a loved one as a gift. But there are limits on how much you can give each year and over your lifetime. If yearly giving is under a certain amount, it’s tax-exempt. And contributions for tuition or medical expenses, gifts to a spouse, and donations to charities don’t count against your lifetime giving limit.
Consult with a lawyer or tax professional first. Gifts that aren’t exempt can incur high taxes.
All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This material is provided for general and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide legal, tax or investment advice. This material does not provide fiduciary recommendations concerning investments or investment management; it is not individualized to the needs of any specific benefit plan or retirement investor, nor is it directed to any recipient in connection with a specific investment or investment management decision.