Estate Tax Planning
Free Tax Debt Analysis
We structure living trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable devises and bequests, and wills to maximize the transfer of assets to your beneficiaries. Thoughtful estate planning can be a gift that saves your family confusion and disagreements at a time of grief.
The estate tax can take almost one-half of an estate without proper planning. Under current law, the scheduled estate tax rates and exemptions as established on June 7, 2001 by President Bush under the Economic Growth and Tax Reconcilliation Act of 2001 are as follows:
| Year | Top Gift & Estate Tax Rate | Gift Tax Exemption Amount | Applicable Exclusion Amount | GST Tax Rate | GST Exemption Amount |
| 2006 | 46% | $1 million | $2 million | 46% | $2 million |
| 2007 | 45% | $1 million | $2 million | 45% | $2 million |
| 2008 | 45% | $1 million | $2 million | 45% | $2 million |
| 2009 | 45% | $1 million | $3.5 million | 45% | $3.5 million |
| 2010 | 0 estate tax / 35% gift tax | $1 million | N/A | 0 | N/A |
| 2011 and beyond | 55% | $1 million | $1 million | 55% | $1 million (inflation adjusted) |
We have extensive experience planning in this ever-changing rate and exemption environment. We can show you a range of estate tax planning techniques, from traditional planning all the way to aggressive plans that can significantly reduce the estate tax burden.
Business owners in particular should be concerned about the estate tax on the ability to keep a business within a family. We can show business owning families many techniques that will allow businesses to be kept within a family.
For a prompt evaluation of your situation, we encourage you to complete our Estate Planning Questionnaire or call us toll-free at 866.494.6829.