Gifting

Genealogy has long fascinated many people, and it continues to be studied by those who are interested in discovering who they descended from and what those family members were like. Many of us have gazed at black and white or sepia-tone photos of ancestors whose names we don’t know and wondered about their lives, joys, trials, and accomplishments. Fortunately, today, there are many resources making it much easier to discover information about prior generations of our families.

You’re not a carbon copy of your neighbor. Likewise, your estate plan shouldn’t be a carbon copy of theirs.

A qualified estate planning team’s approach to counseling will be tailored to your specific needs. As your team works together to produce, tailor, or edit your estate plan, one key tool to consider is the niche trust.

Income tax basis may not be the most exciting topic to read about.  However, it is a critically important topic to anyone who owns significant assets.  Gaining an understanding of the basics of basis is a way to avoid costly mistakes.

The Real Meaning of Basis

According to IRS Tax Topic 703, your basis “is generally the amount of your capital investment in a property for tax purposes. Use your basis to figure depreciation, amortization, depletion, casualty losses, and any gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the property.

While we all want to provide financial help to our loved ones—whether they are family or close friends—it is important to understand that how the money is classified will directly affect your estate planning. Accordingly, the intent behind the transfer of the money is key when determining if it will be considered a loan, gift, or advancement.

Understanding the Differences

Loan

If there is a mutual understanding that the money you gave to a loved one is to be paid back, this is considered a loan—whether the so-called loan was documented or not. If the money lent is not paid back before you pass away, the sum is still owed to your estate by the borrower. The loan becomes an asset of the estate.
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What constitutes a “large” gift can be relative. That being said, if you are considering giving cash or property to someone, a little bit of planning can really help avoid negative consequences.  This is particularly true if the gifted amounts are over $15,000.00, will be gifted in property, will be gifted on a regular basis, or if the gift givers -- whether parents or grandparents -- hold assets that are over $11 million.

Options for Making “Large” Financial Gifts

There are several options you have available to you and your family should you want to provide a large financial gift to your children or grandchildren.
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If you’re thinking about giving your children their inheritance early, you’re not alone. Studies suggest that these days, nearly two-thirds of people over the age of 50 would rather pass their assets to the children early than make them wait until the will is read. It can be especially satisfying to fund our children’s dreams while we’re alive to enjoy them, and there’s no real financial penalty for doing so, provided that you structure the arrangement correctly.
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Although it’s the season of giving, no one wants to share with the IRS. Luckily, the law provides you many opportunities to give gifts to family, friends, and charities tax-free.  Some are straightforward, while others may require the help of a professional.

Your Yearly Coupons

Each year on January 1st, everyone receives what can be thought of as yearly coupons for tax-free gifts. There are several different ways that you can redeem those coupons:

• ●Annual exclusion gifts.
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