Currently, estates under $5 million are exempt from estate taxes.
Next year, barring congressional action, the exemption level falls to $1 million and the top rate rises to 55%
In an election year, this is a hot potato.
For years the exemption amount was unchanged at $600,000 but in the past 12 years or so it has continually gone up and down without much thought to the long term strategy.
How can we, as investors and tax payers, properly plan our estates when the rules keep changing?
If you’ve ever had the unpleasant task of putting a loved ones affairs in order after their death, then you’ve probably thought “I wish they’d done this or that to make things easier. If only they’d known!”
Well, now is the chance for you to do something different with your estate.
This article is a pretty good list of things you can start today
In addition to the Federal Estate Tax, some states (and DC) impose additional estate and/or inheritance taxes.
Fortunately, here in Colorado we don’t have estate or inheritance taxes and in comparison to many other states, our probate is relatively easy and simple.
That does not mean you shouldn’t do proper estate planning though! I work with a lot of great attorneys, so let me know how I can help.