AICPA Comments on 2008 Estate Tax Legislation

On March 11, 2008, the AICPA offered written comments to the Senate Finance Committee hearing on alternatives to the current federal estate tax system. Learn More>>

AICPA Guide to Changes in State Estate Tax Laws—Part I

This article is Part I of II discussing recent changes in tax law. Part I focuses on federal law changes; Part II explores estate and gift changes being made at the state level. Learn More>>

AICPA Guide to Changes in State Estate Tax Laws—Part II

This article is Part II of II discussing recent changes in tax law. Part I focuses on federal law changes; Part II explores estate and gift changes being made at the state level. Learn More>>

Wealth Transfer Techniques Without an Estate Tax

This summary of a presentation given at the National Conference on Federal Taxes in 2003 explores the possible implications of estate tax reform, offering alternative techniques for wealth transfer. Learn More>>

AICPA Comments on Proposed Regs on Affect of Post-Death Events on Estate Valuation
On August 8, 2007, the AICPA asked for changes to the proposed regulations under section 2053 on the affect of post-death events on valuing contingent liabilities of the estate. Learn More>>

2004 Selected Developments in Estate, Gift & GST Area

These slides from a lecture at the 2004 AICPA National Conference on Federal Taxes provide a brief overview of generation-skipping, transfer tax, estate tax, and gift tax. Learn More>>

Estate, Trusts & Gifts, 2003 and 2004 Significant Developments in Estate Planning

This article examines developments in estate, trust, and gift tax planning. It highlights recent cases and rulings on valuation, family limited partnerships, deductibility of administration expenses, and qualified marital deduction trusts. Learn More>>

Estate Planning for the Poorer Spouse

Frequently, tax and financial planners are faced with married clients that are in a second marriage or a non-traditional marriage where assets are not shared equally between the spouses. In these situations, one spouse may have significantly less assets than the other. Planning for these couple presents several challenges. Learn More>>

What Is the Role of the CPA Firm in the Estate Planning Process?

To implement their estate planning goals, some clients may need a more complicated estate plan developed by several different advisers. The CPA firm can fit into this mix in more than one way. Learn More>>

Getting to S: Strategies for Breaking the Roadblocks and Negotiating S Curves

Most mature businesses should be S Corporations, particularly if they are contemplating sale or transfer to the successive generations. Getting to S however is not always easy. This article outlines strategies for electing S corporation status and estate planning. Learn More>>

Removing Real Estate From Corporations

This guide produced for a 2002 workshop and interactive discussion at the AICPA National Tax Education Conference provides the opportunity to identify and analyze theoretical and practical solutions for removing real estate from a corporation with the least corporate income tax, individual income tax, and gift and estate (transfer) tax exposure. Learn More>>

Recent FLP Section 2036 Case—Estate of Wayne C. Bongard v. Commissioner

A split Tax Court recently released Estate of Wayne C. Bongard v. Commissioner, yet another case in which the IRS argued successfully that assets transferred to closely-held family entities should be included in the decedent's estate at their date of death values. Learn More>>

Law Offers Relief to Terrorist Attack Victims

This article from The Tax Adviser discusses the provisions and ramifications of the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001 (VTTRA), providing income and estate tax relief to "specified terrorist victims" (STVs). Learn More>>

Working Within the Entity Toolbox: Estate Planning for Different Forms of Business

This presentation from the August 2, 2002, AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference provides a comparative overview of the various types of business entities, their life cycle, and tax consequences. Learn More>>

Unfunded Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans

This December 8, 2003, presentation at the AICPA Business Succession Planning Conference discusses the benefits of unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plans for small business owner. Learn More>>

On Using Split Dollar Life Insurance

Split-dollar life insurance arrangements have been excellent vehicles for small and large corporations. Learn More>>

Preparation of the Federal Estate Tax Return and Its Examination by the Internal Revenue Service: A Case Study

Using the example of Jeremiah J. Successful, this AICPA guide takes a step-by-step approach to the preparation and examination of a federal estate tax return. Learn More>>

Income and Estate Planning for Special Needs Trusts

A special needs trust may be advisable when a client or family member is disabled and receiving government benefits. This article discusses the characteristics of such trusts and focuses on the income and estate tax planning considerations. Learn More>>

The Art of Making Uncle Sam Your Assignee Instead of Your Senior Partner: The Use of Partnerships in Estate Planning

This outline, updated through October 18, 2004, examines the use of limited partnerships in connection with estate planning. Learn More>>

Estate Planning in Any Tax Environment

The U.S. Senate decision against permanently repealing the federal estate tax confirms that estate planners are in for an indefinite, and potentially lengthy, period of uncertainty. CPAs know that even without the repeal of estate taxes, few clients face serious estate taxes if a proper plan is in place. Learn More>>