Take-Away: A bill has been filed in the Senate that would permit employees to fund accounts, thus reducing their taxable income, from which to make charitable gifts. Background: Senator Ben Sasses of Nebraska introduced in November a bill to encourage philanthropy. [Senate Bill 3191.] That bill, called the Everyday Philanthropist Act, has been referred to […]

Take-Away: On December 8, 2021, FinCEN published 114 pages of proposed Regulations to require certain entities, but not irrevocable trusts (so far), to file reports with FinCEN that identify two categories of individuals: (i) beneficial owners of an entity; and (ii) individuals who have filed the application with specified governmental authorities to form the entity […]

Take-Away: It may be possible, through an LLC Operating Agreement, to direct who inherits a deceased Member’s interest in the LLC. Background: The use of LLCs has grown dramatically over the years by families with closely held business interests and investments, including commercial real estate. The LLC is a popular form of entity to hold […]

Take-Away: As time passes, more and more individuals and their estates may hold investments in cannabis-related businesses. Interesting estate planning questions arise at the federal level if a decedent’s estate holds an investment in cannabis license or a cannabis-related business. Background: Over 40 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis sales in some […]

Take-Away: In a recent case from Rhode Island, the notary to a Will’s execution by the testator was treated by its Supreme Court as a subscribing witness, thus satisfying that state’s requirement that a Will must be attested by two subscribing witnesses. Background: Like most states that have adopted the Uniform Probate Code, Michigan requires […]

Take-Away:  At the end of each calendar year there is normally a last-minute scurry in Congress to extend sections of the Tax Code to provide relief to a handful of taxpayers. This year there does not seem to be much effort to extend and continue some tax breaks to businesses and individuals. Background: Several tax […]

Take-Away: While pursing a backdoor Roth IRA contribution is still ‘legal’ you may want to think twice before engaging in that type of planning transaction. Background: A backdoor Roth IRA strategy permits an individual to make an indirect Roth IRA contribution if the individual’s income is too high to qualify for a direct contribution to […]

Take-Away: A so-called modern trust is one that is highly flexible to adapt to changing laws and the evolving needs of the trust’s beneficiaries. One flexible feature of a trust is the trustee’s ability to change the situs of the trust to another jurisdiction that has more favorable laws. Chasing another state’s trust laws may […]

Take-Away: “IRA money in motion is IRA money at risk.” Mike Jones. Background: As a gross generalization, 3 things can go wrong when the transfer of funds, or a rollover of funds, into an IRA from a qualified plan or another IRA occurs. (A)Hardship Waiver:  If the rollover misses the applicable deadline (usually 60 days) for depositing […]

Each year Ronald D. Aucutt provides a summary of the top 10 estate planning and tax developments from the prior calendar year for the American College of Trust and Estate Council (ACTEC.) What follows are what Mr. Aucutt’s believes are the most important developments for 2021. His first, which I will omit, is the impact […]