Your most valuable asset? Most would say their home.
Could your home benefit your favorite charity? Yes, and with a retained life estate, you can give away your house, keep the keys, and get a current tax deduction.
Under a retained life estate, the donor irrevocably deeds a personal residence or farm to charity, but retains the right to live in it for the rest of his/her life, a term of years, or a combination of the two. The term is most commonly measured by the life of the donor, or of the donor and the donor’s spouse.
When the term ends, typically when the last of one or more tenants dies, the charity can either keep the property for its own use, or sell the property and use the proceeds as designated by the donor.
Keep in mind that donating a personal residence doesn’t mean it has to be the donor’s primary residence. It can be a vacation home or any other structure the donor uses as a residence. A farm can include raw farm land, as well as farmland with buildings on it.
The blog post dives in deep to the details of what makes the retained life estate a viable and valuable charitable giving tool. If you’re a donor exploring this option, or a nonprofit leader looking for more information on how to facilitate this type of gift, read on and then contact me to discuss your individual situation.
Definitions
Again, the donor irrevocably deeds a personal residence or farm to charity, but retains the right to live in it for a certain term, such as the life or lives of individuals, term of years, or a combination of the two. At the end of the measuring term, all rights to the real estate are transferred to the charity. In this scenario, the donor is called the “life tenant,” who has a “life use” of the real estate, and is transferring a “remainder interest” to the charity. The charity is called the “charitable remainderman.”
Necessary: Detailed Gift Agreement
When a retained life estate is used for charitable purposes, for protection of both the donor and the charity, a detailed gift agreement should be worked out. Lots of legal issues should be resolved, regarding a wide variety of responsibilities, including [but hardly limited to]:
real estate taxes;
liability and casualty insurance;
utilities;
maintenance and minor repairs;
remodeling and major repairs;
process for evaluating leases and lessees, should life tenant rent farmland;
rights of charitable remainderman to enter and inspect farmland with proper notice given;
procedures for removal of the personal property of the life tenant upon the end of the tenancy; and
a comprehensive dispute resolution process.
Let’s address several of these items further.
Liability and casualty insurance
Presumably, a donor would want to maintain insurance. The charity may want to consider adding life estate properties to its master insurance list. Also, the charity may want the life tenant to provide the charity an annual certification that appropriate insurance is in place and that premiums have been paid.
Maintenance and repairs
The life tenant is generally responsible for expenses customarily borne by the donor of real property, such as routine maintenance. However, expenses for improvements which benefit, or even might benefit, the charitable remainderman, can and should be addressed in the gift agreement. For example, capital improvements which will last beyond the life tenant’s use of the property, such as a new barn, will benefit both the life tenant and the charitable remainderman. Again, this needs to be handled by agreement between the parties.
Process for evaluating leases and lessees
The life tenant retains all “beneficial lifetime rights” in the property, which includes, for example, the ability to rent the property and receive rental income. The well-drafted gift agreement should establish responsibilities for property management and maintenance by lessees. The charity, as remainder interest owner, has a huge interest in making certain the real estate is appropriately maintained. It is therefore not uncommon in gift agreements for the charity to have a right of approval over parties who would lease the real estate, and by what terms.
Comprehensive dispute resolution process
The relationship between the donor and the charity can change over time for any number of reasons. Having an agreed-upon and formal process for resolving disputes in place from the outset, should help if issues arise. All parties should consider adding in the agreement a mandatory mediation or arbitration clause.
Options for flexibility
Should there be a change, such as the life tenant no longer wanting to live in the residence, a life estate provides several options for flexibility. Let’s discuss the most common alternatives.
Joint sale
The donor and the charity can enter into a joint sale. Under a retained life estate, the real estate is owned in part by the donor and in part by the charity. Just as with any other type of joint ownership, the parties can agree together to sell and divide the proceeds.
Gift of life estate
The donor could decide to donate the life estate to the charity. In such an event, the charity would then own both the remainder value and the life estate and could sell the farmland (if applicable). The donor would receive a charitable deduction for the gift of the remainder interest.
Charitable remainder unitrust
Another alternative: the donor could contribute his/her life interest to a charitable remainder unitrust [CRUT]. Since a life interest is a valid property interest, if the donor transfers his/her entire retained ownership into the CRUT, they’ll receive a charitable deduction for a gift of appreciated property.
No pre-arranged obligations
Under these alternatives, there can be no pre-arranged binding obligation to select any one of possible options. If a binding obligation exists, the charitable deduction will be denied.
Federal income tax charitable deduction
A federal income tax deduction is permitted for the present value of the remainder interest. As with all charitable contributions, the tax deduction for gifts involving appreciated property is limited to 30 percent of the donor’s adjusted gross income [AGI]. However, any unused portion can be carried over for up to five additional years.
For gifts of a remainder interest in real estate, the donor is entitled to a charitable deduction in an amount equal to the net present value of the charitable remainder interest. The computation is performed under guidelines described in Treas. Reg. § 1.170A-12 and is based on the following factors:
the fair market value of the property [including improvements] on the date of transfer;
the fair market value of depreciable improvements attached to, or depletable resources associated with the property on the date of transfer;
the estimated useful life of the depreciable improvements;
the salvage value of the depreciable improvements at the conclusion of their useful life;
measuring term of the agreement [if measured by the life of one or more individuals, the date of birth of the individuals]; and
the Applicable Federal Midterm Rate [in effect for the month of transfer or during either of the two preceding months].
Let’s look at two additional factors:
Measuring terms
As discussed earlier, retained life estates are most commonly measured by the lifetime of one or more individuals; however, life estates can also be measured by a term of years, or by the longer of the life or lives of individuals and a term of years, etc.
If the life estate is measured by one or more lives, the individuals must be in being at the time the life estate is created. If the life estate is measured by a fixed term of years, there is no minimum or maximum term for federal tax purposes.
Applicable Federal Midterm Rate
The Applicable Federal Midterm Rate [AFR] in effect for the month of the life estate gift is used as the interest component for present value computation purposes. At the donor’s election, the AFR in effect for either of the two months preceding the life estate gift can be substituted. This is an obvious opportunity for good planning.
In short, the lower the AFR, the higher the charitable deduction. Historically speaking, then, this is a very positive time for life estates.
Cautionary note
This article is presented for informational purposes only, not as tax advice or legal advice.
All individuals, families, businesses, and farms are unique and have unique legal and tax issues. If you are considering a retained life estate you certainly should speak with a trusted legal professional. Same goes if you’re a nonprofit leader looking facilitate the gift of a retained life estate. I’m happy to help; reach out to me at any time via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or by cellphone at 515-371-6077.
https://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/jessica-furtney-244838.jpg27954208Gordon Fischerhttps://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GFLF-logo-300x141.pngGordon Fischer2019-04-07 14:23:402020-05-18 11:28:48Donate Your House & Keep the Keys: Retained Life Estate
Minneapolis, Minnesota may have the Final Four, but Iowa has such generous tax benefits for charitable gifts. In fact, in Iowa, donors can receive four amazing tax benefits for charitable gifts. Your March Madness bracket may be busted already, but these benefits are ones you can bank on.
Appreciated, long-term property
For donors and potential donors, the ideal asset for charitable donations will depend on a whole range of factors. But, when donating to charity, one type of asset to seriously consider is appreciated, long-term property. Common examples of such property would include publicly traded stock, real estate, and farmland. First, a couple of terms to be clear on:
Appreciated: simply means increased in value.
Long-term: property held for more than one year (e.g., 366 days).
Give now, rather than later
The four tax benefits I’ll outline are only available when the charitable gifts are made during a lifetime. It’s been said, “You should be giving while you are living, so you’re knowing where it’s going.” Many Iowans have philanthropic intentions to donate to their favorite causes eventually, usually at death through their estate plan, will, and testamentary trust. Why not give now? You can have more say about your charitable gifts while you are still alive, and also feel the joy that comes with helping the causes you care about most. Again, there are also lots of good tax reasons for giving now rather than later.
Benefits of gifting appreciated, long-term property
While not celebrated as much as the Final Four, there are four genuinely exciting tax benefits for charitable gifts of appreciated, long-term property.
Double Federal Tax Benefit
When you gift appreciated, long-term property (ALTP) to a charity during lifetime, you may receive a double federal tax benefit. First, you can receive an immediate charitable deduction on your federal income tax, which is equal to the fair market value of the property. Second, assuming, of course, you have owned the property for more than one year, when you donate the property, you avoid the long-term capital gain taxes you would have owed if you sold the property.
Let’s look at a concrete example to make this clearer. Pat owns appreciated, long-term property (such as stocks, real estate, or farmland) with a fair market value of $100,000. Pat wants to use the property to help favorite causes in the local community. Which would be better for Pat–to sell the property and donate the cash, or give the property directly to favorite charities? Assume that the property was originally purchased at $20,000 (basis), Pat’s income tax rate is 35%, and the capital gains tax rate is 20%.
Note: This table is for illustrative purposes only. Only your own financial or tax advisor can advise your personal situation on these matters.
Again, a gift of appreciated, long-term property, made during your lifetime, is doubly beneficial. You receive a federal income tax charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the property. You also avoid the capital gains tax. In Iowa, there is even a greater potential benefit. You may receive a 25% state tax credit for such charitable gifts, lowering the after-tax cost of your gift even further.
25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit
Under the Endow Iowa Tax Credit program, gifts during lifetime can be eligible for a 25% tax credit. There are three requirements to qualify.
The gift must be endowed—that is, a permanent gift. Under Endow Iowa, no more than 5% of the gift can be granted each year. The rest is held by and invested by a local community foundation.
Let’s look again at the case of Pat, who is donating appreciated, long-term property per the table above. If Pat makes an Endow Iowa qualifying gift, the tax savings are very dramatic:
Note: This table is for illustrative purposes only. Only your own financial or tax advisor can advise your personal situation on these matters.
Pat gave a significant and generous gift to a charity of $100,000. But using the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, coupled with the federal income tax charitable deduction and capital gains savings, the after-tax cost of the gift of $100,000 is less than $20,000. Plus, because the gift was endowed, it will be invested by Pat’s local community foundation and will presumably grow through its investment. Thus, it will continue benefiting the charities Pat cares about most!
Note again Pat’s huge tax savings. In this scenario, by giving appreciated, long-term property during lifetime, Pat receives $35,000 as a federal charitable deduction, avoids $16,000 of capital gains taxes, and gains a $25,000 state tax credit, for a whopping total tax savings of $76,000.
Yet another benefit: charitable gifts are exempt from federal gift tax. In fact, charitable contributions made to qualifying charities are not the only deductible on itemized tax returns, but you may also deduct the value of your charitable donations from any amount of gift taxes you owe.
Areas of Caution
Going back to our example, this is a great deal for Pat and a great deal for Pat’s favorite causes. But, could anything go wrong with this scenario? There are a few areas of caution.
Endow Iowa Tax Credits are also capped both statewide and per individual. Iowa sets aside a pool of money for Endow Iowa Tax Credits and it is first come, first served. In 2018, approximately $6 million in tax credits were available annually through Endow Iowa. This means it’s not only is it important to make your gift but to fill out and return your Endow Iowa application as quickly as possible. Donors who do not receive tax credits in the year the gift is made will be first in line for the new supply of the next tax year’s credits. (Here’s the 2019 Endow Iowa Tax Credit Application.)
There is also a cap on Endow Iowa tax credit per individual. Tax credits of 25% of the gifted amount are limited to $300,000 in tax credits per individual for a gift of $1.2 million, or $600,000 in tax credits per couple for a gift of $2.4 million (if both are Iowa taxpayers). (Since the inception of the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program, Iowa Community Foundations have leveraged more than $215 million in permanent endowment fund gifts!)
IRS Requirements for Non-Cash Gifts
Additionally, to receive a charitable deduction for non-cash gifts of more than $5,000, you need a “qualified appraisal” by a “qualified appraiser,” two terms with very specific meanings to the IRS. You need to engage the right professionals to be sure all requirements are met. A notable exception to the appraisal requirement is appreciated long-term, publicly traded stock.
Finally, all individuals, families, businesses, and farms are unique and have unique tax issues. This article is presented for informational purposes only, not as tax advice or legal advice. Make a fast break to consult a legal professional for personal advice.
All of this can be a bit confusing as you’re working out your planned giving strategy. Do not hesitate to contact me and we can work together to maximize your tax-wise giving.
Estate planning is not just for your grandma, rich people, or families with kids. Call it adulting or simply being prepared, creating a quality estate plan is an essential part of your financial health. Here are five valid reasons for single, twenty-somethings to make an estate plan ASAP.
The future of your digital assets (e.g., bank or credit union account information, social media accounts, and more) are in limbo. So much of our lives are lived online that it’s just as important to have your online presence accounted for as your personal, physical property.
Your debt still needs to be handled. Unless it’s student loans, your debt just doesn’t go away if you pass away, and someone in your family may well be responsible for paying it off.
4. Do you really want to leave all of the burial decisions and house cleaning to your distraught loved ones?
5. Who’s going to parent your fur baby (dog, cat, bunny, chinchilla, you name it) if something happens to you? You’ll want your pet to go to a loving home and an estate plan (with a pet trust) is a great (only?) way to set the standard for continued care and ownership.
These are just a few of the many considerations that are, yes, tough to think about, but so important.
Have questions? Need more information?
A great place to get started is with my Estate Plan Questionnaire. Also, I’m always here to offer guidance, explain important terms, and answer questions. Feel free to reach out at any time.
https://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/freddy-castro-133328.jpg36485472Gordon Fischerhttps://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GFLF-logo-300x141.pngGordon Fischer2019-04-05 07:30:452020-05-18 11:28:485 Reasons to Have an Estate Plan When You’re a Single Young Professional
Donate Your House & Keep the Keys: Retained Life Estate
Charitable GivingYour most valuable asset? Most would say their home.
Could your home benefit your favorite charity? Yes, and with a retained life estate, you can give away your house, keep the keys, and get a current tax deduction.
Under a retained life estate, the donor irrevocably deeds a personal residence or farm to charity, but retains the right to live in it for the rest of his/her life, a term of years, or a combination of the two. The term is most commonly measured by the life of the donor, or of the donor and the donor’s spouse.
When the term ends, typically when the last of one or more tenants dies, the charity can either keep the property for its own use, or sell the property and use the proceeds as designated by the donor.
Keep in mind that donating a personal residence doesn’t mean it has to be the donor’s primary residence. It can be a vacation home or any other structure the donor uses as a residence. A farm can include raw farm land, as well as farmland with buildings on it.
The blog post dives in deep to the details of what makes the retained life estate a viable and valuable charitable giving tool. If you’re a donor exploring this option, or a nonprofit leader looking for more information on how to facilitate this type of gift, read on and then contact me to discuss your individual situation.
Definitions
Again, the donor irrevocably deeds a personal residence or farm to charity, but retains the right to live in it for a certain term, such as the life or lives of individuals, term of years, or a combination of the two. At the end of the measuring term, all rights to the real estate are transferred to the charity. In this scenario, the donor is called the “life tenant,” who has a “life use” of the real estate, and is transferring a “remainder interest” to the charity. The charity is called the “charitable remainderman.”
Necessary: Detailed Gift Agreement
When a retained life estate is used for charitable purposes, for protection of both the donor and the charity, a detailed gift agreement should be worked out. Lots of legal issues should be resolved, regarding a wide variety of responsibilities, including [but hardly limited to]:
Let’s address several of these items further.
Liability and casualty insurance
Presumably, a donor would want to maintain insurance. The charity may want to consider adding life estate properties to its master insurance list. Also, the charity may want the life tenant to provide the charity an annual certification that appropriate insurance is in place and that premiums have been paid.
Maintenance and repairs
The life tenant is generally responsible for expenses customarily borne by the donor of real property, such as routine maintenance. However, expenses for improvements which benefit, or even might benefit, the charitable remainderman, can and should be addressed in the gift agreement. For example, capital improvements which will last beyond the life tenant’s use of the property, such as a new barn, will benefit both the life tenant and the charitable remainderman. Again, this needs to be handled by agreement between the parties.
Process for evaluating leases and lessees
The life tenant retains all “beneficial lifetime rights” in the property, which includes, for example, the ability to rent the property and receive rental income. The well-drafted gift agreement should establish responsibilities for property management and maintenance by lessees. The charity, as remainder interest owner, has a huge interest in making certain the real estate is appropriately maintained. It is therefore not uncommon in gift agreements for the charity to have a right of approval over parties who would lease the real estate, and by what terms.
Comprehensive dispute resolution process
The relationship between the donor and the charity can change over time for any number of reasons. Having an agreed-upon and formal process for resolving disputes in place from the outset, should help if issues arise. All parties should consider adding in the agreement a mandatory mediation or arbitration clause.
Options for flexibility
Should there be a change, such as the life tenant no longer wanting to live in the residence, a life estate provides several options for flexibility. Let’s discuss the most common alternatives.
Joint sale
The donor and the charity can enter into a joint sale. Under a retained life estate, the real estate is owned in part by the donor and in part by the charity. Just as with any other type of joint ownership, the parties can agree together to sell and divide the proceeds.
Gift of life estate
The donor could decide to donate the life estate to the charity. In such an event, the charity would then own both the remainder value and the life estate and could sell the farmland (if applicable). The donor would receive a charitable deduction for the gift of the remainder interest.
Charitable remainder unitrust
Another alternative: the donor could contribute his/her life interest to a charitable remainder unitrust [CRUT]. Since a life interest is a valid property interest, if the donor transfers his/her entire retained ownership into the CRUT, they’ll receive a charitable deduction for a gift of appreciated property.
No pre-arranged obligations
Under these alternatives, there can be no pre-arranged binding obligation to select any one of possible options. If a binding obligation exists, the charitable deduction will be denied.
Federal income tax charitable deduction
A federal income tax deduction is permitted for the present value of the remainder interest. As with all charitable contributions, the tax deduction for gifts involving appreciated property is limited to 30 percent of the donor’s adjusted gross income [AGI]. However, any unused portion can be carried over for up to five additional years.
For gifts of a remainder interest in real estate, the donor is entitled to a charitable deduction in an amount equal to the net present value of the charitable remainder interest. The computation is performed under guidelines described in Treas. Reg. § 1.170A-12 and is based on the following factors:
Let’s look at two additional factors:
Measuring terms
As discussed earlier, retained life estates are most commonly measured by the lifetime of one or more individuals; however, life estates can also be measured by a term of years, or by the longer of the life or lives of individuals and a term of years, etc.
If the life estate is measured by one or more lives, the individuals must be in being at the time the life estate is created. If the life estate is measured by a fixed term of years, there is no minimum or maximum term for federal tax purposes.
Applicable Federal Midterm Rate
The Applicable Federal Midterm Rate [AFR] in effect for the month of the life estate gift is used as the interest component for present value computation purposes. At the donor’s election, the AFR in effect for either of the two months preceding the life estate gift can be substituted. This is an obvious opportunity for good planning.
In short, the lower the AFR, the higher the charitable deduction. Historically speaking, then, this is a very positive time for life estates.
Cautionary note
This article is presented for informational purposes only, not as tax advice or legal advice.
All individuals, families, businesses, and farms are unique and have unique legal and tax issues. If you are considering a retained life estate you certainly should speak with a trusted legal professional. Same goes if you’re a nonprofit leader looking facilitate the gift of a retained life estate. I’m happy to help; reach out to me at any time via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or by cellphone at 515-371-6077.
Final Four: 4 AMAZING Tax Breaks for Iowans on Charitable Gifts
Charitable Giving, Taxes & FinanceMinneapolis, Minnesota may have the Final Four, but Iowa has such generous tax benefits for charitable gifts. In fact, in Iowa, donors can receive four amazing tax benefits for charitable gifts. Your March Madness bracket may be busted already, but these benefits are ones you can bank on.
Appreciated, long-term property
For donors and potential donors, the ideal asset for charitable donations will depend on a whole range of factors. But, when donating to charity, one type of asset to seriously consider is appreciated, long-term property. Common examples of such property would include publicly traded stock, real estate, and farmland. First, a couple of terms to be clear on:
Give now, rather than later
The four tax benefits I’ll outline are only available when the charitable gifts are made during a lifetime. It’s been said, “You should be giving while you are living, so you’re knowing where it’s going.” Many Iowans have philanthropic intentions to donate to their favorite causes eventually, usually at death through their estate plan, will, and testamentary trust. Why not give now? You can have more say about your charitable gifts while you are still alive, and also feel the joy that comes with helping the causes you care about most. Again, there are also lots of good tax reasons for giving now rather than later.
Benefits of gifting appreciated, long-term property
While not celebrated as much as the Final Four, there are four genuinely exciting tax benefits for charitable gifts of appreciated, long-term property.
Double Federal Tax Benefit
When you gift appreciated, long-term property (ALTP) to a charity during lifetime, you may receive a double federal tax benefit. First, you can receive an immediate charitable deduction on your federal income tax, which is equal to the fair market value of the property. Second, assuming, of course, you have owned the property for more than one year, when you donate the property, you avoid the long-term capital gain taxes you would have owed if you sold the property.
Let’s look at a concrete example to make this clearer. Pat owns appreciated, long-term property (such as stocks, real estate, or farmland) with a fair market value of $100,000. Pat wants to use the property to help favorite causes in the local community. Which would be better for Pat–to sell the property and donate the cash, or give the property directly to favorite charities? Assume that the property was originally purchased at $20,000 (basis), Pat’s income tax rate is 35%, and the capital gains tax rate is 20%.
Note: This table is for illustrative purposes only. Only your own financial or tax advisor can advise your personal situation on these matters.
Again, a gift of appreciated, long-term property, made during your lifetime, is doubly beneficial. You receive a federal income tax charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the property. You also avoid the capital gains tax. In Iowa, there is even a greater potential benefit. You may receive a 25% state tax credit for such charitable gifts, lowering the after-tax cost of your gift even further.
25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit
Under the Endow Iowa Tax Credit program, gifts during lifetime can be eligible for a 25% tax credit. There are three requirements to qualify.
Let’s look again at the case of Pat, who is donating appreciated, long-term property per the table above. If Pat makes an Endow Iowa qualifying gift, the tax savings are very dramatic:
Note: This table is for illustrative purposes only. Only your own financial or tax advisor can advise your personal situation on these matters.
Pat gave a significant and generous gift to a charity of $100,000. But using the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, coupled with the federal income tax charitable deduction and capital gains savings, the after-tax cost of the gift of $100,000 is less than $20,000. Plus, because the gift was endowed, it will be invested by Pat’s local community foundation and will presumably grow through its investment. Thus, it will continue benefiting the charities Pat cares about most!
Note again Pat’s huge tax savings. In this scenario, by giving appreciated, long-term property during lifetime, Pat receives $35,000 as a federal charitable deduction, avoids $16,000 of capital gains taxes, and gains a $25,000 state tax credit, for a whopping total tax savings of $76,000.
Gift Tax Considerations
Areas of Caution
Going back to our example, this is a great deal for Pat and a great deal for Pat’s favorite causes. But, could anything go wrong with this scenario? There are a few areas of caution.
Charitable Deduction Capped
The federal income tax charitable deduction is capped. Generally, the federal charitable deduction for gifts of an appreciated, long-term property is limited to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) to public charities and 30% of AGI to private foundations. You may, however, carry forward any unused deduction amount for an additional five years.
Endow Iowa Capped
Endow Iowa Tax Credits are also capped both statewide and per individual. Iowa sets aside a pool of money for Endow Iowa Tax Credits and it is first come, first served. In 2018, approximately $6 million in tax credits were available annually through Endow Iowa. This means it’s not only is it important to make your gift but to fill out and return your Endow Iowa application as quickly as possible. Donors who do not receive tax credits in the year the gift is made will be first in line for the new supply of the next tax year’s credits. (Here’s the 2019 Endow Iowa Tax Credit Application.)
There is also a cap on Endow Iowa tax credit per individual. Tax credits of 25% of the gifted amount are limited to $300,000 in tax credits per individual for a gift of $1.2 million, or $600,000 in tax credits per couple for a gift of $2.4 million (if both are Iowa taxpayers). (Since the inception of the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program, Iowa Community Foundations have leveraged more than $215 million in permanent endowment fund gifts!)
IRS Requirements for Non-Cash Gifts
Additionally, to receive a charitable deduction for non-cash gifts of more than $5,000, you need a “qualified appraisal” by a “qualified appraiser,” two terms with very specific meanings to the IRS. You need to engage the right professionals to be sure all requirements are met. A notable exception to the appraisal requirement is appreciated long-term, publicly traded stock.
Advice Needs to be Individualized
Finally, all individuals, families, businesses, and farms are unique and have unique tax issues. This article is presented for informational purposes only, not as tax advice or legal advice. Make a fast break to consult a legal professional for personal advice.
All of this can be a bit confusing as you’re working out your planned giving strategy. Do not hesitate to contact me and we can work together to maximize your tax-wise giving.
5 Reasons to Have an Estate Plan When You’re a Single Young Professional
Estates & Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts & EstatesEstate planning is not just for your grandma, rich people, or families with kids. Call it adulting or simply being prepared, creating a quality estate plan is an essential part of your financial health. Here are five valid reasons for single, twenty-somethings to make an estate plan ASAP.
4. Do you really want to leave all of the burial decisions and house cleaning to your distraught loved ones?
5. Who’s going to parent your fur baby (dog, cat, bunny, chinchilla, you name it) if something happens to you? You’ll want your pet to go to a loving home and an estate plan (with a pet trust) is a great (only?) way to set the standard for continued care and ownership.
These are just a few of the many considerations that are, yes, tough to think about, but so important.
Have questions? Need more information?
A great place to get started is with my Estate Plan Questionnaire. Also, I’m always here to offer guidance, explain important terms, and answer questions. Feel free to reach out at any time.