February 21, 2024
Following is an update of the various federal tax issues, which are subject to federal adjustments, and should be factored into as part of your estate plan: A. The federal estate tax rate is permanently set at 40% per IRS Section 101(c)(1). B. The federal estate tax exemption for this year was increased under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) to $13,610,000 per person and $27,220,000 per couple and is indexed for inflation through 2025. The exemption levels are set to revert back to $5,000,000 per person though in 2026, so long-term planning may be difficult. C. The long capital gains rates and step-up in basis are retained for now. The long-term capital gains tax rate is 15% for individuals with taxable income between $47,025 and $518,900 and for married couples between $94,050 and $583,750. The rate is 20% for individuals exceeding those levels. D. The annual gift tax exclusion increases to $18,000 per donor to each donee. E. The additional 3.8% Medicare Surtax which is assessed against net investment income for individuals with above an adjusted gross income of $250,000 for couples and $200,000 for singles remains in place. F. Nebraska Inheritance Taxes are paid to the county treasurer at different levels based upon who the heir is: (i) surviving spouses are exempt; (ii) parents, siblings, children and grandchildren pay tax at a rate of 1% on any monies they receive after the first $100,000; (ii) extended relatives like nieces/nephews/cousins pay tax at a rate of 11% for any monies they receive after the first $40,000; and (iv) non-related parties pay tax at a rate of 15% for any monies they receive after the first $25,000. I. In 2021 the House Ways and Means Committee (see House Report No. 117-130) removed the capital gains taxation trigger at death but proposed to revert the estate and gift tax exemption back to roughly $6,000,000 with the tax being imposed at a rate of 40%. The legislation was also designed to shut down Grantor Trusts as estate planning tools to avoid taxation. It also would do away with the benefits of special trusts like defective grantor trusts, dynasty trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, etc. The plan also would have removed the step-up in basis families receive on inherited assets exceeding $1,000,000. While this legislation did not pass, it is anticipated that it might be brought back up for discussion.