CFP
Liquidity, Powers of Appointment, and Trusts - Sources For Estate Liquidity
Sources For Estate Liquidity
When a person dies, certain taxes and other debts must be paid within a short period of time. The taxes and costs lower the amount transferred to heirs and may include:
Sale of Assets
Heirs may be able to sell off the decedent's assets, for example, a home or business. This may be a last resort as it usually results in losses because you are forced to sell. However, because the property was sold after death, the property will receive a step-up in cost basis, resulting in minimizing a gain.
Life Insurance
Life insurance may be used to provide the estate with sufficient cash to satisfy the claims of creditors and to pay the taxes and other costs resulting from death. For individuals whose estates will be subject to the federal estate tax, life insurance can also be arranged so that it is not included in the gross estate.
Just a few advantages of life insurance include:
· Proceeds are available immediately when needed.
· Proceeds are received free of federal income tax.
· The policy can be arranged to avoid probate and federal estate tax.
· Borrowing the cash at interest is also avoided, including paying the federal estate tax in installments (see below).
· Policy death proceeds will nearly always equal more than premiums that were paid, allowing death costs to be funded for cents on the dollar.
This is generally the most effective method to provide liquidity for an estate.
Loan - Installment Note
Heirs can also borrow funds to pay the debts owed. Also, if the estate assets are pledged or bonded as security, the heirs may not be able to enjoy them.
In addition, for owners of a closely held business, the heirs may be able to pay the estate taxes under an installment plan through IRC section 6166. If the estate qualifies, the tax attributable to the closely held business interest can be paid in 10 equal installments beginning four years after the decedent's death. An additional advantage of the tax deferral is that a portion of the deferred tax pays an interest rate of 2% (first $1,250,000 of business value in 2007).
The requirements include:
When a person dies, certain taxes and other debts must be paid within a short period of time. The taxes and costs lower the amount transferred to heirs and may include:
- Funeral expenses
- Expenses due to illness
- Debts of the decedent
- Probate and attorney costs
- Federal and state estate taxes
Sale of Assets
Heirs may be able to sell off the decedent's assets, for example, a home or business. This may be a last resort as it usually results in losses because you are forced to sell. However, because the property was sold after death, the property will receive a step-up in cost basis, resulting in minimizing a gain.
Life Insurance
Life insurance may be used to provide the estate with sufficient cash to satisfy the claims of creditors and to pay the taxes and other costs resulting from death. For individuals whose estates will be subject to the federal estate tax, life insurance can also be arranged so that it is not included in the gross estate.
Just a few advantages of life insurance include:
· Proceeds are available immediately when needed.
· Proceeds are received free of federal income tax.
· The policy can be arranged to avoid probate and federal estate tax.
· Borrowing the cash at interest is also avoided, including paying the federal estate tax in installments (see below).
· Policy death proceeds will nearly always equal more than premiums that were paid, allowing death costs to be funded for cents on the dollar.
This is generally the most effective method to provide liquidity for an estate.
Loan - Installment Note
Heirs can also borrow funds to pay the debts owed. Also, if the estate assets are pledged or bonded as security, the heirs may not be able to enjoy them.
In addition, for owners of a closely held business, the heirs may be able to pay the estate taxes under an installment plan through IRC section 6166. If the estate qualifies, the tax attributable to the closely held business interest can be paid in 10 equal installments beginning four years after the decedent's death. An additional advantage of the tax deferral is that a portion of the deferred tax pays an interest rate of 2% (first $1,250,000 of business value in 2007).
The requirements include:
- The gross estate must include an interest classified as "closely held," the value of which exceeds 35% of the adjusted gross estate.
- Property must be held in sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation (aggregation is allowed if more than 20% interest is in each business).
- Business must be carried on as of the date of death.
- During the first four years (of 14) can pay interest only on taxes due.
- The interest rate will be 2% on the first $1,250,000 and is not deductible.
- IRC 303 permits heirs to get cash out of a corporation from a portion of the stock of a decedent that will not be taxes as a dividend. A Section 303 partial redemption can provide cash from the corporation without resulting in dividend treatment.
The requirements include:
· The business must be a corporation.
· The value must be more than 35% of the adjusted gross estate.
· Only an amount equal to a total of all estate taxes and administration expenses can be redeemed.
comments powered by Disqus
Free Annual Reports
http://sp.fastclick.net/ad/tr/10858-64082-15546-0?mpt=b8a659c4240cd136353ad25a0c63cfe6
