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Areas of Interest
September 29th, 2014
Increased Exemptions Provide Estate Planning Opportunities
The current Federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption amounts are projected to increase in 2015. The projected adjustment, compared to 2012, 2013 and 2014, is as follows:
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
| Unified estate, gift and GST tax exemption |
$5,120,000 | $5,250,000 | $5,340,000 | $5,430,000 |
The increased exemptions allow individuals to shelter greater amounts from Federal estate, gift and GST taxes, now imposed at 40%. For example, in 2015, a married couple would be able to transfer a total of $10,860,000 free of these Federal taxes, either during lifetime or at death. Even a married couple who has already utilized the full 2012 exemptions will have an additional $620,000 of exemption ($310,000 each) available for planning in 2015.
Annual gift tax exclusions are available in addition to the exemptions, so that each year an individual may make gifts of $14,000 (or $28,000 for gifts by a married couple) to an unlimited number of recipients - - without using up any of the individual's lifetime exemption. The annual exclusion amount is expected to remain at $14,000 for 2015.
With appropriate planning to utilize these tax benefits, you can substantially increase the wealth you pass to your heirs. If you have questions about these or other estate planning issues, please contact Linda Wank at (212) 826 5546 or lwank@fkks.com, Barbara Shiers at (212) 826 5526 or bshiers@fkks.com, Jeffrey Marks at (212) 826 5536 or jmarks@fkks.com, or any other member of the Frankfurt Kurnit Estate Planning and Administration Group.
Other Estate Planning Law Alerts
Increased Exemption for 2023 Creates Estate Planning Opportunities
The Federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (“GST”) tax exemption amounts have increased in 2023 to $12.92 million per individual (up from $12.06 million in 2022). Read more.
February 6 2023
New York Extends Remote Notarization and Document Execution to January 29, 2021
By Executive Order 202.87 issued December 30, 2020, New York’s remote notarization and document execution procedures are extended through January 29, 2021. Read more.
January 12 2021
New York Implements Substantial Changes to Power of Attorney Law
On December 15, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law a long-awaited bill regarding New York’s Power of Attorney form, which will take effect in the summer of 2021. Read more.
January 6 2021
