Over the past twenty years, there has been a dramatic change in the Estate tax laws. Given the Democratic control established in Washington, D.C. this month, additional Estate Tax reform is now a distinct possibility. Currently, each person can give away during lifetime, or distribute at death, an amount of $11.7 million without being subject to...
Following the recent November 2020 elections, individual tax planning faces further uncertainty for the remainder of this year and into the beginning of 2021. While it appears that Democrats will control the House of Representatives and the White House, under a Joe Biden presidency, it is not clear which political party will control the U.S....
"Do as adversaries do in law, strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends." William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, Act I, sc. 2 In the aftermath of the historic and divisive election, many of us welcome an end to the besiegement of ads, media commentaries, Facebook and Twitter postings, etc. that are not only uncivil, but in many cases...
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its grip on the country and appears to be entering a surge phase this winter, many commercial tenants are dealing with the uncertainty of the prolonged effect of both restrictive public health measures employed by local and state governments to combat the virus’ spread and also a general reduction in economic...
By: Jacqueline L. Messler The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law March 27, made cash rebates of up to $1,200 available to 150 million Americans. Shortly after the IRS started sending payments, there were stories of payments being made to deceased taxpayers. Specifically, checks were made payable to...
By: Abby S. Busler, Laurie E. Meyer, and James M. Kalny On April 1, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued its interim regulations in connection with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), as title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 826. The regulations are preceded by 82 pages of guidance. The following highlights the...
By: Ann M. Rieger On Friday, March 27th, the House of Representative approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The Act, which is designed to provide economic relief as the United States adapts to the outbreak of COVID-19, had previously been approved by the Senate in the late hours of March 25th, by a rare...
Canceled: Strategies to Maximize Benefits Received From Your Retirement Savings Under the Newly Enacted SECURE Act You’ve worked for years to save for retirement. Knowing how to best position withdrawals from your retirement accounts for you and your beneficiaries is equally critical. The recently enacted SECURE Act greatly impacts qualified...
By: Mark G. Kmiecik Last month, the IRS released the 2020 inflation adjustments for several tax provisions in Rev. Proc. 2019-44. The adjustments apply to tax years beginning in 2020 and transactions or events occurring during the 2020 calendar year. A select group of key provisions relative to trusts and estates are identified below. Income Tax...
By: Ann M. Rieger For several months, attorneys and tax practitioners have been following the so-called “SECURE” Act,[1] which will greatly impact qualified retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). While the Act passed the House of Representatives by a margin of 417 to 3 in May of this year, similar legislation stalled in the...
