Estate Tax Legislation

June 15, 2015 Modified: August 18, 2022

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ADVOCACY: AICPA comments on several trust and estate related tax proposals (July 2022)
The AICPA issued a comment letter on several trust and estate related tax proposals in response to the Department of the Treasury’s General Explanation of the Administrations Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue Proposals ”Green Book.”

UPDATE: Estates can now request late portability election relief for 5 years (June 2022)
On June 23, 2022, the SEC adopted various rules and form amendments that will require the electronic submission of certain documents that may currently be filed in paper format for registered investment advisors and other entities.  Additionally, the amendments include certain technical amendments intended to modernize Form 13F and related applications.  The new rules and form amendments will be effective on August 29, 2022.  The amendments to the Form 13F will be effective on January 3, 2023, and there will be a six-month transition period to submit the required documents electronically.  The entire SEC release is available here.

UPDATE: IRS issued proposed regulations that would provide an exception to the anti-clawback rule (May 2022)
The IRS issued proposed regulations on April 26, 2022 (REG-118913-21) that would provide an exception to the anti-clawback special rule that preserves the benefits of the temporarily higher gift and basic exclusion amount.  The regulations would apply to certain transfers that are includible, or treated as includible, in a decedent’s gross estate under Sec. 2001(b.)

ADVOCACY: AICPA Letter to Congress on FVS appreciation at death or gift (August 2021)
On August 24, 2021, The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) commented on the proposal in the Treasury Green Book, General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2022 Revenue Proposals (the Proposal), issued May 2021, as part of the American Families Plan (AFP) to reform the taxation of capital income and treat transfers of appreciated property by gift or on death as realization events. This letter addresses the issue of the proposal requiring a partial interest owner to provide a value that represents a proportional share of the fair market value (FMV) of the entire entity.

UPDATE: American Families Plan Act (May 2021)
On Wednesday, April 28th, President Biden gave his first congressional address. As part of his plan for the nation, he proposed a long term capital gain rate of 39.6% for households with income over 1 million, restoration of the top marginal tax rate of 39.6% for those earning over $400,000, and elimination of the step up in basis at death. Given the forward momentum for forced recognition of capital gains at death, this episode of the PFP Section podcast covers client scenarios and all the details we know at this point so that you can have initial discussions with clients on what may be ahead.

UPDATE: Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion Act (STEP) of 2021 (March 2021)
On March 29th the Senate’s Van Hollen and House’s Pascrell released proposals that would result in the realization of capital gains on the date property is transferred by gift, trust, or death. Learn more in this PFP Section podcast episode from Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS.

UPDATE: For the 99% Act (March 2021)
This bill, introduced into the US Senate on March 25, 2021, could lay the groundwork for what’s ahead with changes to estate, gift, and trust rules. If passed, the effective date would be December 31st, 2021 and would result in significant increases to federal estate and gift tax. Learn more in this PFP Section podcast episode from Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS.

UPDATE: Treasury Withdraws Section 2704 Proposed Regulations (October 2017)
On October 17, the Treasury Department entirely withdrew several tax regulations seen as burdensome under Executive Order 13789, including restrictions on liquidation of an interest in estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes (proposed Section 2704 Regulations).  The withdrawal was officially published in the Federal Register on October 20.   

UPDATE: Treasury’s Analysis/Interim Report of the Executive Order Mentions the Section 2704 Proposed Regulations (July 2017)
On July 7, the IRS and Treasury Department issued Notice 2017-38, providing Treasury’s interim report required under President’s April 21 Executive Order 13789, which was designed to consider reducing tax regulatory burdens.  The Section 2704 proposed regulations are listed among the eight regulations listed in the Notice/interim report as meeting at least one of the “significant” regulations criteria in the executive order.  The Treasury has requested further comments by August 7, 2017 on whether the regulations listed in the notice should be rescinded or modified, and if modified, how the regulations should be modified to reduce burdens and complexity.   As a reminder, on May 16, the AICPA submitted comments advocating for further simplicity on this matter and included the section 2704 proposed regulations in the list of possible regulations to consider under the executive order. 

ADVOCACY: AICPA Urges Treasury and IRS to Withdraw Proposed 2704 Regulations (January 2017)
On January 13, the AICPA called on the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to withdraw regulations regarding the valuation of interests in corporations and partnerships for estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax purposes. The regulations were proposed under Internal Revenue Code section 2704.  Read the comment letter here

UPDATE: AICPA Oral Testimony on Technical Tax Issues and Valuation Issues of Section 2704 Proposed Regulations (December 2016)
Oral testimonies on the section 2704 proposed regulations regarding valuation discounts for estate and gift taxes:  Witness #1 | Witness #2

 

ADVOCACY: AICPA Comments on Revenue Procedure 2016-49 Regarding Guidance on Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) (November 2016)
AICPA thanks IRS and Treasury for issuing Revenue Procedure 2016-49 regarding guidance on making the qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) election when filing an estate tax return solely to elect portability of the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount. The guidance provides a reasonable approach to interpreting, implementing, and complying with the QTIP and portability rules.

UPDATE: AICPA Request to Testify and Comments Outline (October 2016)
On October 31, the AICPA submitted a request to testify at the Treasury and IRS public hearing taking place on December 1, 2016 regarding these proposed regulations.  In this request, the AICPA expressed several technical and valuation concerns with the proposed regulations including a concern with the effective date of the final regulations.  According to the submitted outline for testimony, the AICPA recommends that IRS withdraw or re-propose the regulations, and if that is not done, then consider the AICPA and other comments in the final regulations.  

ADVOCACY: AICPA Urges Congress to Modify the Estate Basis Reporting Deadline (August 2016)
In an advocacy letter to Congress on August 31, the AICPA suggested modifying the reporting provisions for estate basis statements to require such reporting by February 15 following the end of a calendar year in which an estate distributes assets to a beneficiary, rather than 30 days after an estate files the Federal estate tax return.  Read the letter, and be sure to review the Estate Basis Consistency Reporting Resource Center for resources on this topic.

UPDATE: Proposed Section 2704 Valuation Regulations (August 2016)
On August 2, the Treasury Department released the long-awaited 2704 proposed valuation regulations that may limit the availability of estate and gift tax valuation discounts.  The proposed regulations would amend section 25.2701-2 to address what constitutes control of an entity, among other items.  Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, reports on this proposal in an audio clip, courtesy of Leimberg Information Services, Inc.(LISI).  Read the proposed regulations here.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Comments to IRS on the Need for Estate Tax Closing Letters (January 2016)
The AICPA has submitted comments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about the IRS’s new policy of issuing estate tax closing letters only upon a separate request four months after filing the estate tax return. AICPA advocates that transcripts in lieu of closing letters will be insufficient and asks that the IRS formally announce its policy regarding issuing estate tax closing letters in an official procedure or notice so that all executors and representatives are informed.

UPDATE: Change in Scope for Regulations Limiting Estate and Gift Tax Valuation Discounts (November 2015)
As reported earlier this fall, there was serious speculation that the IRS will release proposed Section 2704(b) regulations that will impact the availability of valuation discounts when transferring interests in family controlled entities (such as family limited partnerships and limited liability companies) to family members. Under current law, taxpayers are permitted to transfer minority interests in family entities to family members at a significantly reduced tax cost with the use of valuation discounts.

On November 4, IRS officials told the AICPA Trust, Estate, and Gift Tax Technical Resource Panel that they are still working on the regulations, and the regulations will rely on the statute, and not follow the Treasury’s green book proposals. The ultimate impact of the proposed regulations will remain unknown until their release which is proposed for the end of the year.

UPDATE: Proposed Rules Govern Taxation of Gifts and Bequests from Covered Expatriates (September 2015)
Under new proposed regulations (Reg-112997-10) that implement IRC Section 2801, any U.S. person who received a covered gift or bequest on or after June 17, 2008 from a covered expatriate under Section 877A will be subject to tax at the highest estate or gift tax rate. Exceptions include qualified disclaimers of property, charitable donations that qualify as estate or gift tax charitable deductions, gifts or bequests to a covered expatriate’s U.S. citizen spouse if the gift would have qualified for the marital deduction, among others.

A U.S. citizen, a domestic trust, or an electing foreign trust who receives a covered gift or bequest will be liable for the tax. The value of the covered gift is reduced by the amount of the gift tax exclusion, and the property’s value is determined on the date of receipt. The net amount is multiplied by the highest estate or gift tax rate in effect for the calendar year. The tax will be reported and paid on a new Form 708, which will be released once the regulations are finalized. Read more in the Journal of Accountancy online.

UPDATE: New Estate Basis and Reporting Rules Effective Immediately (July 2015)
The highway funding bill enacted on July 31, 2015 made changes to the Internal Revenue Code that affect estates and beneficiaries -- and the new rules are effective immediately. Specifically, Section 2004 of the act requires consistent reporting of basis between an estate and anyone acquiring property from the decedent and imposes new reporting requirements. Furthermore, the new reporting rules require statements to be furnished to the IRS and to beneficiaries within 30 days of the estate tax return’s due date, so for estates that had returns due August 1, the statements are due by this August 31. Read more from Journal of Accountancy.
 
UPDATE: IRS Issues Final Portability Regulations (June 2015)
On June 12, the IRS released T.D. 9725, Portability of a Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion (DSUE) Amount. The final regulations apply to decedents dying on or after June 12, 2015, and adopt temporary regulations issued three years ago (T.D. 9593) with a few clarifying changes and remove the temporary regulations. (The temporary regulations still apply to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2011, and before June 12, 2015.)

Listen to a podcast from Bob Keebler discussing the new portability regulations and the importance of the CPA or estate planning attorney taking on the responsibility to file the Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, to protect the client’s eligibility of the portability election.

Read an article from the Journal of Accountancy describing the changes in the final regulations, including clarification of the regulatory extension of time to elect portability, clarification of what is a “complete and properly prepared” estate tax return for purposes of the portability election, and clarification of certain rules about the application of portability rules to qualified domestic trusts, the availability of a DSUE amount by a surviving spouse who becomes a citizen of the United States, and the impact of credits in Secs. 2012 through 2015 on computing the DSUE amount.

UPDATE: Basic Rules for 2010 Estate Proposed (May 2015)
The IRS issued proposed regulations to amend various regulation sections to take into account special rules that affect the basis of assets acquired from a decedent who died in 2010 and for which an executor made a Sec. 1022 election (to not have the retroactively reinstated estate tax apply to the decedents’ estates). This election requires special basis adjustments that are different from those that apply when the estate’s assets are subject to the estate tax. Read about the proposed regulations in an article from the Journal of Accountancy.

UPDATE: Final Regulations Issued on Trust and Estate Investment Expenses (May 2014)
The IRS issued final regulations on the controversial question of which costs incurred by trust and estates are subject to the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions under Sec. 67(a) (T.D. 9664). The regulations will apply to tax years beginning on or after May 9, 2014. Despite objections from the AICPA and other commentators, the final regulations retain from the proposed rules a requirement that certain fees be unbundled.

The regulations finalize proposed rules (with a few modifications in response to comments) issued in September 2011 (REG-128224-06) in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Knight, 552 U.S. 181 (2008), on the income tax deductibility by estates and nongrantor trusts of investment advisory and other fees. One significant change was the addition of appraisal fees to the category of costs that are fully deductible if they are needed to determine the value of property as of the decedent’s date of death (or the alternate valuation date), to determine value for purposes of making distributions, or to properly prepare the estate or trust’s tax returns. Read more from the Journal of Accountancy.

UPDATE: IRS Automatically Extends Filing for Certain Estates Electing Portability (January 2014)
The IRS released Revenue Procedure 2014-18, providing an automatic extension for certain estates of decedents dying in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to elect portability. The extension applies to estates that would otherwise not have had a filing requirement, and allows the estates to file a return to elect portability until December 31, 2014. It includes the estates of same-sex decedents who were not eligible to elect portability until after the Windsor decision.

UPDATE: Deadline for 2013 Trust Distributions is March 6, 2014 (January 2014)
Beginning in 2013, the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) is effective for trusts with undistributed net income in excess of $11,950. In addition, trusts reach the highest income bracket of 39.6% at $11,950 of taxable income. The threshold for regular tax rates and the NIIT is much higher for individuals (NIIT becomes effective at $200,000 of AGI for single filers; $250,000 of AGI for married persons filing jointly; and $1250,000 of AGI for married persons filing separately); therefore, trusts should consider distributing more income to individual beneficiaries to reduce the overall tax impact. Trusts have 65 days after year-end (March 6, 2014) to make distributions for the 2013 tax year.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Comments on Medicare Surtax for Trusts and Estates (May 2013)
On May 8th, the AICPA submitted comments to the IRS on the proposed regulations under Section 1411, regarding the Medicare Surtax as relevant to trusts and estates. Section 1411 imposes a tax on unearned income on investments of certain individuals, estates, and trusts, whose income is above the statutory threshold amounts. The AICPA comments recommended that the final regulations address specifics in connection with the exemption from Section 1411 tax for certain types of trusts, computation of DNI in examples 1 and 2, computation of tax for electing small business trusts, charitable remainder trusts, allocation of state and local taxes, other appropriate deductions, treatment of capital gains as part of trust distribution and foreign trusts and estates.

UPDATE: Draft Instructions to Form 706 Posted (September 2012)
On September 12, the IRS posted draft instructions to Form 706. A draft version of Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, was posted on August 17. The draft form for the first time addresses portability of a deceased spouse’s unused estate and gift tax exclusion (DSUE) amount and provides a check box for the executor to opt out of electing portability of the unused portion. The draft instructions provide more guidance for electing the portability of a DSUE amount and for the executor’s use of the check box to opt out of electing portability of the unused portion of the exclusion amount. Read more from the Journal of Accountancy.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Requests Permanent Extension of the Portability Relief (September 2012)
On September 14, the AICPA submitted comments to IRS on the proposed regulations regarding portability of the deceased spousal unused exclusion (DSUE) amount. In the comments, AICPA requested:

  • Permanent extension of the temporary relief in Notice 2012-21,
  • A short Form 706-EZ to make the portability election, and
  • That a surviving spouse should be able to file for portability if the executor does not.

The AICPA appreciated the guidance and said it was hopeful that Congress will permanently extend the portability rules to allow taxpayers and practitioners to rely on the rules in spousal estate planning.  In addition, the AICPA is hopeful that Congress will allow the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption to be portable between spouses.  

UPDATE: Advice for Dealing with Section 754 Elections for 2010 Estates Electing Carryover Basis (September 2012)
The AICPA continues to hear from members interested in the section 754 election and section 743 adjustment issues with regard to the carryover basis election.

Last September, the AICPA requested guidance on whether the basis adjustment under section 743 is available upon the death of a partner if the estate of the partner elects out of the estate tax and applies the carryover basis rules to the assets of the estate. The Trust, Estate and Gift Tax Technical Resource Panel (TRP) also raised this issue with government officials last fall and the response was that no more carryover basis guidance was forthcoming.

Although no official guidance has been issued, the AICPA Tax Division recently shared information learned through discussions with government officials. 

Leg/Reg Update: Draft Form 706 Provides Check Box to Not Elect Portability (August 2012)
The IRS posted a draft version of Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, on August 17. The draft form for the first time addresses portability of a deceased spouse’s unused estate and gift tax exclusion (DSUE) amount and provides a check box for the executor to opt out of electing portability of the unused portion. Draft instructions have not yet been posted. Read more about the draft form from the Journal of Accountancy.

As a reminder, the portability rules enacted in the 2010 Tax Act allow married spouses to benefit from the unused portion of the $5 million exemption when the death of the first spouse occurs either in 2011 or 2012. A timely filed Form 706 is required to elect portability even if the estate is below the $5 million exemption amount and no tax is due. In the event that in the estate fails to file a federal estate tax return, any excess applicable exemption amount is lost and unavailable at the death of the surviving spouse. It is important for taxpayers and practitioners to know this when the first spouse dies and consider filing an extension (Form 4768) or Form 706 before the nine months from date of death filing deadline. It is critical that you educate clients where relevant and document to protect yourself.

In June, the IRS issued temporary and proposed regulations that provide guidance on the estate and gift tax applicable exclusion amount and portability. The temporary regulations included guidance on the requirements for electing portability of a DSUE amount to the surviving spouse and guidance on the rules for the surviving spouse's use of this DSUE amount. To make this requirement easier for estates that are not required to file a return under Sec. 6018(a), the regulations permit the executor to estimate the gross value of the estate based on a good faith determination of the value of the estate’s assets. Read more on these regulations from the Journal of Accountancy.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Submits Comments to IRS on Transfers from Irrevocable Trusts (June 2012)
The AICPA responded June 26, 2012 to an Internal Revenue Service request for comments, Notice 2011-101, about when transfers of principal from one irrevocable trust to another irrevocable trust should not be treated as having an income, gift, estate and/or generation-skipping transfer tax consequence.  Such transfers are often referred to as “decanting.”  The Treasury Department and the IRS are studying the tax implications of such transfers, when there is a change in the beneficial interests in the trust, in order to provide guidance to taxpayers.

The AICPA said its comments address relevant federal income tax, gift tax, estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax issues, as well as certain foreign trust aspects of decanting, as requested in the IRS notice.  The AICPA noted that some states have enacted decanting statutes, but said its letter does not compare or contrast the respective state decanting statutes, nor does it address the effect of state law or the absence of state law as it relates to a decanting action.

UPDATE: IRS Issued Guidance on Estate Tax Exemption Portability (June 2012)
IRS recently issued temporary regulations and proposed that provide guidance on the estate and gift tax applicable exclusion amount and portability. The temporary regulations included guidance on the requirements for electing portability of a deceased spousal unused exclusion (DSUE) amount to the surviving spouse and guidance on the rules for the surviving spouse's use of this DSUE amount. The portability rules enacted in the 2010 Tax Act allow married spouses to benefit from the unused portion of the $5 million exemption when the death of the first spouse occurs either in 2011 or 2012. A timely filed Form 706 is required to elect portability even if the estate is below the $5 million exemption amount and no tax is due. It is important for taxpayers and practitioners to know this when the first spouse dies and consider filing an extension (Form 4768) or Form 706 before the nine months from date of death filing deadline. Read more from the Journal of Accountancy.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Suggests a Full Deduction for Administration Costs of Estates and Trusts (May 2012)
On May 2, the AICPA submitted a legislative proposal to Congress to amend Internal Revenue Code section 67(e) to simplify the law and allow estates and nongrantor trusts to fully deduct the cost of complying with fiduciary duties in administering estates and trusts. The current law denies a deduction for the cost of complying with many fiduciary duties to the extent that their aggregate cost does not exceed 2 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The AICPA believes the proposed amendment would:

  • simplify the statute,
  • modernize it for the prudent investor rule,
  • make it easier to administer, and
  • provide a consistent definition of AGI for estates and nongrantor trusts throughout the Internal Revenue Code.

ADVOCACY:  AICPA Submits Comments on Estate Tax Election to Use the Alternate Valuation Method (February 2012)
The AICPA submitted comments in response to November 2011 proposed regulations regarding guidance for estates on the election to use the alternate valuation method under Internal Revenue Code section 2032.   These comments supplement AICPA prior comments (submitted August 1, 2008) on this subject.

The AICPA urges the Service and Treasury to consider our comments and recommendation to provide a blanket exception for any action taken by a publicly-traded entity and, for interests in non-publicly-traded entities, limit the prohibition on valuation adjustments to just those adjustments resulting from actions within the control of the decedent’s executor.  If that is not possible, then the AICPA urges adoption of a rule that would disregard a change in ownership or change in entity structure during the six-month alternate valuation period only if the change is undertaken primarily to reduce the value of an estate asset.

UPDATE:  Extension of Time to Make Portability Election in Certain Circumstances (February 2012)
On February 17, the IRS announced an extension of the deadline for certain 2011 estates to make a portability election to pass along a decedent’s unused estate and gift tax exclusion amount to their surviving spouse. Notice 2012-21 provides an extension to estates of married individuals with assets of $5 million or less, but only if the decedent died in the first six months of 2011, and the executor files Form 4768 requesting an extension no later than 15 months after the decedent's date of death.   The extra time is available to an estate even if the estate did not request an automatic six-month filing extension on Form 4768 prior to the regular nine-month filing deadline. As a result, these estates will now have until 15 months after the date of death, rather than the usual nine months, to make the election by filing an estate tax return on Form 706. Thus, the first estate tax returns for estates eligible to make the portability election (because the date of death is after Dec. 31, 2010) are now due on Monday, April 2, 2012. Affected estates should submit both a properly-prepared Form 4768 and Form 706 to the IRS no later than 15 months after the decedent’s date of death. Read more from the Journal of Accountancy.

UPDATE: If Form 706 is Not Timely Filed, Portability Election May Still Be Possible (February 2012)
IRS Procedure for Requesting 6-Month Extension to File Estate Tax Return in Effort to Make Portability Election if Form 706 Not Timely Filed Explained
Beginning on January 1, 2011, the Internal Revenue Code provides for portability of the estate tax exemption between spouses.  According to issued guidance so far from the IRS (Notice 2011-82 and IR-2011-97), to claim the benefit of portability, a timely filed Form 706, U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, is required.  If the estate tax return is not timely filed, the guidance provides that the surviving spouse will not be able to claim the benefit of portability.

There is a procedure under section Treas. Reg. § 20.6081-1(c) that permits an estate, upon showing good cause, to seek a 6-month extension of time to file the estate tax return.  Under this procedure, an estate is to file Form 4768, Application for Extension of Time to File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Taxes.  Form 4768 must contain a detailed explanation of why it is impossible or impractical to file a reasonably complete estate tax return by the due date and an explanation showing good cause for not requesting the automatic extension of time to file the return.  Section 20.6081-1(c) provides that Form 4768 should be filed sufficiently early to permit the IRS time to consider the matter and reply before what otherwise would be the due date of the return.  The instructions to Form 4768 provide that if the estate has not filed an application for an automatic extension and the time for filing such application has passed, the estate should file Form 4768 as soon as possible.  It may be worth considering requesting a 6-month extension of time to file the estate tax return if you missed filing the return in time and would like to try to obtain the benefit of portability for the surviving spouse.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Suggests Consistent Treatment of Estate and Trust Federal Tax Payments (January 2012)
In a letter to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means, dated January 12, the AICPA suggested Congress pass legislation that treats all federal tax payments of trusts and estates, including estimated tax payments, backup withholding and regular withholding, consistently. Currently, the ability of a trust or estate to allocate its tax payments to its beneficiaries is different for each, which becomes confusing and unnecessarily complex to taxpayers and tax practitioners. Read the comment letter for more information, including details of the AICPA’s proposal.

REMINDER: Form 8939 to Elect Carryover Basis for 2010 Deaths Due Jan. 17
Form 8939, Allocation of Increase in Basis for Property Acquired from a Decedent, for decedents dying between December 31, 2009 and January 1, 2011 is due on January 17, 2012. Practitioners are reminded of the critical decision that needs to be made by January 17 as to whether the estate wants to elect carryover basis (on the Form 8939) and have no estate tax apply, or file a Form 706 for the estate to be subject to the estate tax (with a $5 million exemption and stepped up basis applicable). Form 706 is due by March 19, 2012, assuming a Form 4768 extension was filed by the September 19, 2011 deadline.  The AICPA and PFP Division have several resources to help PFP/PFS members analyze the decision.

  • Leimberg Information Services, Inc. shares a 60 Second Planner with Bob Keebler covering how to handle property that has been sold through the administration of the estate
  • Download a decision chart from Bob Keebler;
  • Read a blog post or listen to an audio stream with Bob Keebler (“New Estate Planning Guidance for Decedents Passing in 2010”). 

UPDATE: AICPA Comments on Trust Investment Expenses  (December 2011)
The AICPA submitted comments to the IRS, urging the agency to consider our comments and recommendations to achieve our mutual goal of consistency with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of section 67(e) in Knight v. Commissioner. The AICPA continues to believe that the regulations should not include an unbundling requirement; however, if the final regulations require unbundling, we encourage them to continue to allow any reasonable method to be used for allocating expenses.

The AICPA also requested that the final regulations omit the provision that defines “commonly incurred costs” as those that do not depend on the identity of the payor. The examples of ownership costs should be corrected to remove non-miscellaneous itemized deductions such as partnership costs other than certain portfolio costs included in Code K on Form 1065 Schedule K-1, Line 13. 

The AICPA also recommended that the cost of preparing the decedent’s gift tax returns be included in the list of tax return preparation costs not subject to the 2 percent floor. The cost of preparing other individual income tax returns, gift tax returns, and tax returns for a sole proprietorship or a retirement plan should also not be subject to the 2 percent floor.

UPDATE: IRS Releases Revised Proposed Regulations on Alternate Valuations for Estates  (December 2011)
The IRS released revised proposed regulations replacing the prior April 2008 proposed regulations due to comments (including AICPA’s) regarding alternate valuations for estates - allowing estates to use a beneficial six-month alternate valuation date more broadly.  

These regulations concern the election to use the alternative valuation method by estates that experience a reduction in the value of the gross estate following the date of the decedent’s death due to market conditions—but not due to other post-death events. The proposed regulations would amend existing regulations to define “market conditions” and “post-death events” and provide examples.

The revised regulations are more precise than the previous proposed regulations – more focused on which transactions are required to use the transaction date as opposed to the six-month date. The new proposed regulations will apply after they are published as final regulations.

ADOCACY: AICPA Comments to Congress on Estate Tax Suggestions (November 2011)
On November 18, AICPA submitted to Congress suggestions for making permanent estate tax and GST (generation-skipping transfer) tax provisions.  The AICPA urged prompt action to enact permanent gift, estate and GST tax provisions and thus provide needed certainty to taxpayers in planning their affairs.  In addition, the AICPA requested that when Congress makes these provisions permanent (especially the non-controversial GST tax technical modifications), Congress also includes other needed technical changes to permit administrative relief (i.e., granting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) permission to grant section 9100 relief) for certain late or defective lifetime (i.e., inter vivos) qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) elections and for late elections by certain qualified revocable trusts (QRTs) to be treated as part of a decedent’s estate. 

UPDATE: Proposed Legislation Would Restore Estate Tax Rates to Pre-2011 Levels (November 2011) 
On November 17, Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced HR 3467, the “Sensible Estate Tax Act of 2011,” that would change the estate-tax structure.

Among other changes, the bill would return tax rates on estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2012 to pre-2001 levels of up to 55% with exclusions of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for married couples. Further, it would extend and make portability permanent, restore the credit for state death taxes paid, impose GRAT restrictions (including a 10 year minimum term), impose a consistency and a basis reporting requirement, modify rules on valuation discounts and minority interest discounts, and limit the GST tax exemption duration to 90 years after the establishment of a trust. Read the proposed legislation.

UPDATE: Download Updated Decision Chart on the 2010 Estate Tax Election (November 2011)
Download an updated decision chart from Bob Keebler, which will help you analyze whether or not to make the 2010 election not to incur the federal estate tax. The latest version of this chart reflects the final due dates for Form 8939 and references Notices and Revenue Procedures.

UPDATE: Final Regs Clarify Estate Tax Treatment of Grantor Retained Interests (November 2011)
On November 7th, the IRS issued final regulations providing guidance on the portion of property (held in trust or otherwise) includible in the grantor’s gross estate if the grantor has retained the use of the property or the right to an annuity, unitrust, graduated retained interest, or other payment from the property for life, for any period not ascertainable without reference to the grantor’s death, or for a period that does not in fact end before the grantor’s death. Read more from the Journal of Accountancy.

UPDATE: Filing Protective Claim for Refund of Estate Tax (October 2011)
On October 14th, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2011-48 providing guidance related to the filing and subsequent resolution of a protective claim for refund of estate tax that is based on a deduction for a claim or expense under section 2053 of the Internal Revenue Code.

UPDATE: Final 2011 Form 706 Instructions Released (September 2011)
The 2011 Form 706 and instructions are now available on the IRS website.   The Form 706 is due nine months after the date of death.

UPDATE: Final Form 706 and Instructions Available for 2010 Decedents; Due Date Postponed (September 2011)
In light of recent estate tax developments, listen to Bob Keebler’s thoughts on critical issues to think through for 2010 and 2011 estate planning and filings.

The final Form 706 and instructions were issued September 3rd and 8th, respectively, by the IRS for decedents who died in 2010. For most people who died in 2010, the form and estate tax payment are due September 19th.  The AICPA requested a 90-day postponement of the due date, and on September 13th, the IRS announced filing and penalty relief for 2010 estates.

Specifically, 2010 estates that request an extension on Form 4768 now have until March 19, 2012 to file their estate tax returns and pay any estate tax. Additionally, Form 8839, the form for estates opting out of the estate tax and into carryover basis will be available later this fall and will be due January 17, 2012. Finally, special penalty relief is provided to many individuals, estates and trusts that already filed a 2010 federal income tax return, or obtained an extension and plan to file by the Oct. 17, 2011 extended due date.

UPDATE: Portability and the Need to File Federal Estate Tax Returns for Decedents Dying after December 31, 2010  (September 2011)
Provided by Bob Keebler, CPA, MST
Most practitioners are aware that the Tax Relief Act of 2010 included a portability provision for the applicable credit amount.  Under this provision, if a spouse dies after 2010 and does not use all of his or her applicable credit amount, the unused portion can be added to the credit amount of the surviving spouse.

To take advantage of portability, however, the unused credit amount must be transferred from the estate of the first spouse to die to the surviving spouse. This can only be done by filing an estate tax return (Form 706), even if no tax is due (IRC § 2010(c)(5)). If the return is not filed, any excess credit amount is lost forever and is unavailable at the death of the surviving spouse. To avoid falling into this trap, it is important that practitioners discuss with their clients the benefit of filing the federal estate tax return for the first spouse. 

ADVOCACY: AICPA Submits Comments on Carryover Basis Guidance (September 2011)
On September 7th, the AICPA provided comments to the IRS on Notice 2011-66, Method for Making Election to Apply Carryover Basis Treatment under Section 1022 to Estates of Decedents who Died in 2010 and Rules Applicable to Inter Vivos and Testamentary Generation-Skipping Transfers in 2010. The letter requested additional guidance on several issues needing resolution to apply the carryover basis rules appropriately, including the AMT basis issue referenced in the following article from Bob Keebler (originally published by Leimberg Information Services, Inc.). Download an updated decision chart from Bob Keebler, which now includes reference to the AMT carryover basis issue discussed the article.

UPDATE: Draft 2011 Form 706 Instructions Available (September 2011)
On September 2nd, the IRS released Draft 2011 Form 706 instructions. The Draft 2011 Form 706 dated August 25th is also live on the IRS’ website. If you have any comments on these drafts, you can submit them on the IRS.gov page titled Comment on Forms and Publications.

UPDATE: 2010 Form 706 & Guidance for 2010 Decedents (August 2011)
The 2010 Form 706, U.S. Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return (for decedents dying in 2010), draft form (as of 6/17/11) and draft instructions (as of 8/1/11) were posted by the IRS on August3rd.  The Form 706 and instructions are still in draft form only and are not posted in the official forms area of the IRS website.  AICPA is requesting an extension of the due date for the filing of Form 706 and Form 8929 given the delays in the issuance of the final forms to tax return preparers. Read the letter to the IRS. Also, Notice 2011-66 provides guidance for executors of estates of decedents who died in 2010 regarding the time and manner of choosing to opt out of the estate tax have the carryover basis rules apply. Revenue Procedure 2011-41 provides safe harbor guidance regarding property acquired from estates of decedents who died in 2010.

UPDATE: Discharge of Indebtedness Rules Clarified for Grantor Trusts and Disregarded Entities (April 2011)

On April 12th, the IRS proposed rules (Reg-154159-09) governing the application of the discharge of indebtedness rules to grantor trusts and disregarded entities. The proposed regulations generally treat the owner of the grantor trust or disregarded entity as the "taxpayer" for purposes of the IRC § 108 exclusion. The proposed regulations clarify that the insolvency exception is available only to the extent that the owner is insolvent—the insolvency of the grantor trust or disregarded entity itself is not taken into account. Similarly, the proposed regulations clarify that the bankruptcy exception is available only if the owner of the grantor trust or disregarded entity is subject to a bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction—if the grantor trust or disregarded entity is under a bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction and the owner is not, the exception is not available. Click here to read more from Journal of Accountancy.

UPDATE: IRS Will Not Assess Penalties on Reasonable Estimates of 2010 Carryover Basis Income (April 2011)
On April 9th, the IRS posted information for individuals who acquired property from a 2010 decedent, advising that those individuals file an extension if based on the estimate of a gain/loss from sales of property acquired from a 2010 decedent. Furthermore, the IRS indicated that they will not assess penalties for reasonable estimates of carryover basis income, however, interest will accrue.

UPDATE: Deadline Extended for Filing Form 8939 (March 2011)
The Treasury Department and the IRS announced on March 31st that Form 8939 is not due on April 18, 2011 and should not be filed with the final Form 1040 of persons who died in 2010.  New guidance that announces the form due date will be issued at a later date, and Form 8939 will be released soon after guidance is issued. The prior deadline was April 18, which remains the deadline for filing a decedent’s final Form 1040 this filing season.  The forthcoming guidance will also explain the manner in which an executor of an estate may elect to have the estate tax not apply. A reasonable period of time for preparation and filing will be given between issuance of the guidance and the deadline for filing Form 8939 and for electing to have the estate tax rules not apply. The Form 8939 is not currently available, but will be made available soon after the guidance is issued. Both will be made available on IRS.gov.

UPDATE: Information on Carryover Basis IRS Form 8939 (February 2011)
We have been informed by IRS officials that IRS Form 8939, Allocation of Increase in Basis for Property Acquired from a Decedent, should be filed separately. It should not be filed with the decedent's final income tax return. Likewise, the election for reduced basis in lieu of paying estate tax will not be made on the decedent's final return; that election will most likely be made simply by filing Form 8939 instead of filing Form 706. Also, we expect Treasury guidance to give everyone an administrative extension of time to file Form 8939 at least until 10/17/2011.

UPDATE: Analyzing the 2010 Election Not to Incur the Federal Estate Tax (February 2011)
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (“the Act”) enacted a $5 million exemption (indexed in 2012) and a 35% estate tax rate for two years effective January 1, 2010 (retroactive). The Act also provided an election for executors of 2010 estates to opt out of the estate tax and into the modified carryover basis regime of IRC Section 1022.  Estates of 2010 decedents have a short window of opportunity to consider staying in the estate tax system or electing into carryover basis. On September 19, 2011 (due to September 17th falling on a Saturday), nine months after the date of enactment of the Act, most estate tax returns for 2010 decedents will be due (unless extended). Download a decision chart from Bob Keebler to help determine whether or not to elect out of the estate tax and into carryover basis for 2010 decedents. Bob has provided a break even formula to help determine whether or not to elect out.

UPDATE: Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (December 2010)
On Wednesday, December 15th, the Senate passed the tax compromise package to extend 2001 and 2003 tax cuts by a vote of 81-19 (“The Jobs Creation Act” or “The Act”). The House passed this legislation on Thursday, December 16th by a vote of 277-148, and it was signed into law by President Obama on Friday, December 17th. For a thorough recap of the Act’s provisions, visit the Journal of Accountancy's Congressional Hot Topics Page.

On Wednesday, December 15th, the Senate passed the tax compromise package to extend 2001 and 2003 tax cuts by a vote of 81-19 (“The Jobs Creation Act” or “The Act”). The House passed this on Thursday, December 16th by a vote of 277-148, and it was signed into law by President Obama on Friday, December 17th.

Marty Shenkman, CPA/PFS, shares a year-end alert written in client terms that includes urgent points that may affect your planning for the 2010 year, and may require immediate action. 

ADVOCACY: AICPA Recommends Administrative Relief for Late QTIP and Section 645 Elections (November 2010)
The AICPA submitted a letter to Congress recommending administrative relief for late QTIP and section 645 elections.  Furthermore, the letter reminded Congress of the generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) technical provisions from EGTRAA 2001 that need to be extended before the end of the year.  A letter was previously sent by the AICPA on September 21st regarding this issue.

The AICPA submitted a to Congress recommending administrative relief for late QTIP and section 645 elections.  Furthermore, the letter reminded Congress of the generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) technical provisions from EGTRAA 2001 that need to be extended before the end of the year.  A was previously sent by the AICPA on September 21st regarding this issue.

UPDATE: Carryover Basis Resources (October 2010)
Although the tax treatment for decedents dying in 2010 continues to be uncertain, it is likely that there will be a choice between applying the modified basis rules and using the estate tax rules that applied in 2009.  In a brief, 13 minute podcast, Bob Keebler offers an executive summary of 2010 carryover basis rules. CCH also shares an article written on this topic by Bob that helps in identifying the considerations involved in determining which option makes the most sense based on the client situation.

Although the tax treatment for decedents dying in 2010 continues to be uncertain, it is likely that there will be a choice between applying the modified basis rules and using the estate tax rules that applied in 2009.  In this brief, 13 minute , Bob Keebler offers an executive summary of 2010 carryover basis rules. CCH also shares an written on this topic by Bob that helps in identifying the considerations involved in determining which option makes the most sense based on the client situation.

ADVOCACY: AICPA Urges Congress to Act Promptly to Create Certainty on the Estate Tax (January 2010)
On January 13, 2010, the AICPA sent a letter to Congress, urging prompt action on the estate tax to provide needed certainty to taxpayers. The AICPA sent similar letters to Congress over the past few years and testified on this before the Senate Finance Committee in 2008.

The AICPA Tax Division, with approval by the PFP Executive Committee, pointed out that the expiration of the estate and generation skipping transfer (GST) taxes at the end of 2009 and the imposition of the carryover basis rules are causing tremendous uncertainty for taxpayers and their advisers. The planning and administration of estates and the administration of the income tax are significantly affected by the undecided future of these transfer taxes. The possibility of re-enactment for 2010, the future of the tax systems for 2011 and beyond and the practical problems of identifying costs that must be considered as part of tax basis for assets distributed from estates created after December 31, 2009 are the most pressing concerns in this area. The AICPA also provided Congress a priority list of suggested reforms of the current estate and gift tax system. Click here to read the AICPA’s letter to Congress.

On January 13, 2010, the AICPA sent a to Congress, urging prompt action on the estate tax to provide needed certainty to taxpayers. The AICPA sent similar letters to Congress over the past few years and testified on this before the Senate Finance Committee in 2008. The AICPA Tax Division, with approval by the PFP Executive Committee, pointed out that the expiration of the estate and generation skipping transfer (GST) taxes at the end of 2009 and the imposition of the carryover basis rules are causing tremendous uncertainty for taxpayers and their advisers. The planning and administration of estates and the administration of the income tax are significantly affected by the undecided future of these transfer taxes. The possibility of re-enactment for 2010, the future of the tax systems for 2011 and beyond and the practical problems of identifying costs that must be considered as part of tax basis for assets distributed from estates created after December 31, 2009 are the most pressing concerns in this area. The AICPA also provided Congress a priority list of suggested reforms of the current estate and gift tax system. to read the AICPA’s letter to Congress.