Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. There are many milestones in retirement. Financial advisers might advise that you achieve certain financial benchmarks by specific ages or stages in your life. They might advise that you have a certain multiple of your salary by specific ages. Or, they might advise having a nest egg of a particular size before you retire. Here’s a retirement calculator that might help … [Read more...] about Age-Related Retirement Milestones
Treasury Releases New Inflation Adjustment
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate planning attorneys and others in the wealth management community have known since mid-December that the amount clients can pass without taxation is now, temporarily, doubled. The new tax law doubled the exclusion until the end of 2025. On January 1, 2026, the exclusion reverts to $5 million (adjusted for inflation from 2011). Each year we get inflation … [Read more...] about Treasury Releases New Inflation Adjustment
Income Tax Basis in Estate Planning – Part 2
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. When considering different estate planning strategies and which direction to take, it’s important to consider the impact on basis. “Basis” is the benchmark used for income taxation. What does income tax basis have to do with estate planning? Property included in your taxable estate at your death gets a “step-up” in basis to its value at your death. (Certain … [Read more...] about Income Tax Basis in Estate Planning – Part 2
Basis is Important in Estate Planning
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. When considering different estate planning strategies and which direction to take, it’s important to consider the impact on basis. “Basis” is the benchmark used for income taxation. What does income tax basis have to do with estate planning? Lots! Property included in your taxable estate at your death gets a “step-up” in basis to its value at your death. (Certain … [Read more...] about Basis is Important in Estate Planning
Estate Planning: Simple is not Always Better
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate planning contemplates two different general time periods: During life and after your death. Estate planning needs also vary based on the goals you are trying to achieve. For example, after death, do you simply wish to transmit your assets, or do you wish to provide your loved ones with asset protection, tax protection, divorce protection, or other … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Simple is not Always Better
Estate Planning: The Simplest Plan is Usually Not the Best
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate planning contemplates two different general time periods: During life and after your death. Estate planning needs also vary based on the goals you are trying to achieve. For example, after death, do you simply wish to transmit your assets, or do you wish to provide your loved ones with asset protection, tax protection, divorce protection, or other … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: The Simplest Plan is Usually Not the Best
Planning for Retirement Plans and IRAs: Asset Protection
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. As I discussed in last week’s blog, retirement assets, including 401(k)s, IRAs, etc., comprise a large portion of the average American’s wealth. Planning for these assets is critical, not just due to their value, but also due to their special nature. Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s and the earnings on them are tax-deferred. Roth IRAs and 401(k)s are tax-free. However, … [Read more...] about Planning for Retirement Plans and IRAs: Asset Protection
Donor Advised Funds: IRS Issues New Ruling
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. In prior blogs, I explained how a donor advised fund works in detail. Basically, you make a contribution to the fund now and take a deduction in the year you make the contribution. In future years, you, as the adviser, can direct distributions to the public charity of your choice. A donor advised fund may be useful to aggregate charitable gifts into one year to enable … [Read more...] about Donor Advised Funds: IRS Issues New Ruling
Sager Family Shows Perils of Blended Families
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Blended families require special planning. Sometimes, the children from the prior marriage bond with the new spouse and the family moves forward in a happy, newly modified form. However, frequently, the new marriage brings conflict between the new spouse and the children of the prior marriage. Such is the case with the Sagers. In 1980, sports reporter Craig Sager … [Read more...] about Sager Family Shows Perils of Blended Families
New Tax Law May Affect State Income Tax, Too!
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. As you likely know, in the final days of 2017, Congress passed, and the President signed, a new tax law. It substantially changes the federal income taxation of individuals and couples. As I blogged in December, the biggest changes are the near-doubling of the standard deduction amount and the cap on the state and local income tax deduction. The result is that most … [Read more...] about New Tax Law May Affect State Income Tax, Too!
