CFP

The GSTT Exemption
In 2010, the GSTT was waived and not applicable for property transfers. On Dec. 17, 2010, President Obama signed The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the "Act"). In addition to extending President Bush's income tax cuts, the Act addresses the Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer (GSTT) tax laws for 2011 and 2012.

For tax years 2011 and 2012, each individual is given a GSTT lifetime exemption amount of $5 million. Unlike the estate and gift tax, the GSTT exemption is not portable between spouses.

Qualifying Annual Exclusion Gifts and Direct Transfers
The annual GSTT exclusion amount is $13,000 (2011) per gift per person.

Example: Harold and Mary have three grandchildren and they would like to gift the maximum amount to each grandchild in 2011. What is the maximum gift before the GSTT will kick in?

Answer: $78,000
Harold can gift $13,000 to each grandchild ($39,000 total), and
Mary can gift $13,000 to each grandchild ($39,000 total).

Annual exclusion gifts do not always qualify for the GSTT annual exclusion. Typically, only gifts given "directly" to grandchildren or to a trust for the benefit of a grandchild with a general power of appointment will qualify for the annual exclusion.

If a grandparent decides to pay the premium of a life insurance trust policy through the use of the annual gift (policy is for the benefit of the children and the grandchildren) the payment may not escape the GSTT. Since grandchildren (or more remote descendants) are potential beneficiaries, normally the GSTT exemption would be applied to the gift, but there is always a gray area if the gift is not given directly outright.