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Chapter 18

Chapter 18. The Federal Gift and Estate Taxes. The Big Picture (slide 1 of 3). Over his lifetime, Peter Hood started and purchased numerous automobile dealerships that he eventually transferred to a newly formed entity, Hood Corporation.

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Chapter 18

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  1. Chapter 18 The Federal Gift and Estate Taxes

  2. The Big Picture (slide 1 of 3) Over his lifetime, Peter Hood started and purchased numerous automobile dealerships that he eventually transferred to a newly formed entity, Hood Corporation. Upon his death in 2000, the stock in Hood Corporation passed in equal shares to Peter’s surviving spouse, Martha, and their adult children, John and Helen.

  3. The Big Picture (slide 2 of 3) For John Hood, 2012 proved to be an eventful and final tax year. Among the major happenings were the following. In January, John’s divorce from his first wife, Hannah, became final. In February, he married Ashley, the manager of one of the Hood car dealerships. He made various gifts to family members. In July, his mother died of a heart condition, and John served as executor of her estate.

  4. The Big Picture (slide 3 of 3) Among the major happenings were the following. (Cont’d) In late November, he was seriously injured in a car accident (caused by another motorist). In early December, he carried out some predeath planning. John died of his injuries in mid-December. What are some of the tax problems (i.e., income, gift, and estate taxes) that might be encountered as a result of these events? Read the chapter and formulate your response.

  5. Transfer Taxes (slide 1 of 2) Federal law imposes a tax on the gratuitous transfer of property in one of two ways: Estate tax Gift tax

  6. Transfer Taxes (slide 2 of 2) • Estate tax • Imposed on decedent’s entire estate • Tax on the right to pass property at death • Gift tax • Tax on inter vivos (lifetime) transfers for less than full and adequate consideration • Payable by the donor

  7. Tax Legislation Affecting Transfer Taxes (slide 1 of 2) • Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 made substantial changes to the unified transfer tax • Lowered top tax rates applicable to estates and gifts • Effectively eliminated the estate tax by 2010 but retained the gift tax • For budget reasons, eliminated all changes made by the Act after 12/31/2010 • Referred to as a “sunset” provision

  8. Tax Legislation Affecting Transfer Taxes (slide 2 of 2) In late 2010, Congress enacted the Tax Relief Act of 2010 (TRA) TRA postponed the sunset provisions until after 2012 The legislation added some generous estate and gift tax provisions (maximum rate of 35% and a credit of $5 million) TRA is effective for 2011 and 2012 If the sunset provisions come into play after 2012, the rates will increase to a maximum of 55%, and the credit will decrease to $1 million

  9. Formula for the Federal Gift Tax

  10. Formula for the Federal Estate Tax

  11. Unified Tax Credit (slide 1 of 2) • Allows donors and decedents to transfer specified amounts of wealth without being subject to gift and estate taxes • Exemption equivalent is amount that can be transferred tax-free through the unified tax credit

  12. Unified Tax Credit(slide 2 of 2)

  13. Valuation for Estate and Gift Tax Purposes (slide 1 of 2) • The value of property on date of transfer generally determines the amount subject to gift or estate tax • Under certain conditions, however, an executor can elect to value estate assets on the alternate valuation date • Six months after death or • On the date of disposition if this occurs earlier

  14. Valuation for Estate and Gift Tax Purposes (slide 2 of 2) • The alternate valuation date election is not available unless: • The estate must file a Form 706 (Estate Tax Return), and • The election decreases the value of the gross estate and the estate tax liability

  15. Key Property Concepts • When property is transferred by gift or death, the form of ownership can have a direct bearing on transfer tax consequences • Undivided Ownership—Can fall into any of four categories: • Joint tenancy • Tenancy by the entirety • Tenancy in common, or • Community property • Partial Interests—Interests in assets can be divided in terms of rights to income and principal

  16. Gift Tax (slide 1 of 3) • Persons subject to gift tax: • Citizen or resident of the U.S. on all transfers by gift of property wherever located • Nonresident alien, if the gifted property was situated in the U.S.

  17. Gift Tax (slide 2 of 3) • Requirements for a gift: • The donor is competent to make the gift and the donee is capable of receiving and possessing the property • Donative intent of the donor • Actual or constructive delivery of property to donee or donee’s representative and acceptance of gift by the donee

  18. Gift Tax (slide 3 of 3) • A transfer is not a gift if the transfer is incomplete • e.g., Funds may be transferred to a trust • If terms of the trust allow the transfer to be revoked for any reason, the transfer is not a gift

  19. Excluded Transfers • Federal gift tax does not apply to: • Transfers to political organizations • Tuition payments made to an educational organization on another’s behalf • Amounts paid on another’s behalf for medical care • The payments must be made directly to the provider (e.g., physician, hospital, college) • Satisfying an obligation of support

  20. The Big Picture – Example 15 Certain Excluded Transfers (slide 1 of 2) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. After Peter died in 2000, his widow, Martha, continued to live in the family home and refused to move in with either of her children (John or Helen). As Martha’s health and mental condition deteriorated, her children did everything possible to keep the family housekeeper from quitting.

  21. The Big Picture – Example 15 Certain Excluded Transfers (slide 2 of 2) Helen paid for the housekeeper’s gallbladder operation. John paid the college tuition of the housekeeper’s oldest son. Neither Helen nor John has made gifts to the housekeeper or her son. Gifts would have occurred, however, if Helen and John had reimbursed the housekeeper for the amounts involved, instead of paying the providers (i.e., physician, hospital, college) directly.

  22. Transfers Subject to the Gift Tax(slide 1 of 2) Gift loans – the absence of a provision for adequate interest can result in a gift (the foregone interest) Special limitations apply if the gift loan does not exceed $100,000 In such a case, the interest element may not exceed the borrower’s net investment income Furthermore, if the net investment income does not exceed $1,000, it is treated as zero

  23. Transfers Subject to the Gift Tax(slide 2 of 2) Certain Property Settlements (§ 2516) Normally, the settlement of certain marital rights is not regarded as being for consideration and is subject to the Federal gift tax As a special exception, transfers of property interests in settlement of their marital or property rights are deemed to be for adequate consideration Exempt from the Federal gift tax if a final decree of divorce is obtained within three years Likewise excluded are transfers to provide a reasonable allowance for the support of minor children

  24. The Big Picture – Example 18 Certain Property Settlements (§ 2516) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. Recall that John and Hannah’s divorce became final in January 2012. After extended but amicable negotiations, in September 2010 John and Hannah had agreed on a property settlement. In return for the receipt of $200,000 and title to their home, Hannah released all of her marital rights. Shortly thereafter, John made the transfer. Under § 2516, the property settlement resulted in no gift tax consequences to John.

  25. Disclaimers (§ 2518) A disclaimer is a refusal by a person to accept property that is designated to pass to him or her The effect of the disclaimer is to pass the property to someone else The Federal gift tax can also be avoided in cases of a partial disclaimer of an undivided interest To be effective, the disclaimer must be in writing and timely made. Generally, this means no later than nine months after the right to the property arose

  26. The Big Picture – Example 19 Disclaimers (§ 2518) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. Recall that Martha died in July of a heart condition. Under her will, her estate passes in equal parts to her son and daughter or, if they disclaim, to their children. Helen disclaims her share of the inheritance, and the assets pass to her children.

  27. The Big Picture – Example 20Disclaimers (§ 2518) Assume the same facts as in Example 19. John’s share of his inheritance from Martha also includes the family hunting lodge. Except for the hunting lodge, John disclaims his share of the inheritance, and the remaining assets pass to his children.

  28. Annual Exclusion • The first $13,000 of gifts made to any person during any calendar year is excluded in determining the total amount of gifts for the year • Applies to all gifts of a “present” interest • Spouses may elect to “split” gifts • Allows one spouse to give $26,000 to each donee during a year, even if the assets were only owned by one spouse. • Allows gift to be treated as being made 1/2 by each spouse eliminating any transfer tax on the gift

  29. Taxable Gift Example(slide 1 of 4) • Jane and Harry, a married couple, make the following transfers in 2012: • $22,000 cash to son Hal • $20,000 tuition for daughter Beth • $60,000 to the American Diabetes Foundation, a qualified charity • $10,000 to the “Young for Governor” campaign • $200,000 to a revocable trust for the benefit of their two children • $30,000 for medical care and medical insurance for Jane’s mother • $60,000 car to Harry’s brother, subject to a liability of $30,000

  30. Taxable Gift Example(slide 2 of 4) • Which of these transfers are treated as gifts for gift tax purposes? • What is the amount of taxable gifts for the year if Jane and Harry elect to split gifts?

  31. Taxable Gift Example (slide 3 of 4) • Several of these transfers are not included in gross gifts: • The $20,000 tuition payment, $30,000 medical care and $10,000 political contribution are not gifts by definition • The $200,000 transfer to the trust is not a completed gift since the trust is revocable • The car transferred to Harry’s brother is 50% a sale for $30,000 (amount of liability) and 50% a gift of $30,000. Harry may have taxable gain (for income tax purposes) on the $30,000 sale

  32. Taxable Gifts calculation: Cash to Charity $60,000 Cash to Hal 22,000 Car to Harry's brother 30,000 Total gross gifts $112,000 Less: charitable deduction (60,000) Less: annual exclusion ($13,000 each for Harry and Jane, for each donee (Harry's brother and ltd. to $22,000 for their son Hal)) (48,000) Taxable gifts $ 4,000 Taxable Gift Example (slide 4 of 4)

  33. Mel (an unmarried individual) made the following transfers during 2012: Child support payment for son Marvin $ 25,000 Qualified transfer in trust for Marvin, age 12 (Marvin has no access to the funds until he is 21, but funds may be used on his behalf) $450,000 Transfer of stocks to an irrevocable trust. Mel retains the income for his life. His mother will receive the principal on Mel’s death. Assume the income interest value is $140,000 and the remainder value is $60,000. $200,000 Taxable Gift Example #2 (slide 1 of 5)

  34. Taxable Gift Example #2 (slide 2 of 5) • Mel made prior taxable gifts of $750,000 and paid $248,300 tax • What is Mel’s total taxable gifts for 2012 and total of current and past taxable gifts?

  35. Taxable gifts in 2012: Transfer in trust for Marvin $ 450,000 Transfer in trust for mother 60,000 Total current taxable transfers $ 510,000 Less: annual exclusion –13,000 Current taxable gifts $ 497,000 Prior taxable gifts 750,000 Total of current and past taxable gifts $1,247,000 Taxable Gift Example #2 (slide 3 of 5)

  36. Taxable Gift Example #2 (slide 4 of 5) • Comments regarding taxable gift calculation: • Child support payments are not a gift for gift tax purposes in most cases • The transfer in trust for Marvin qualifies as a present interest under §2503 • The $13,000 annual exclusion is available for this transfer

  37. Taxable Gift Example #2 (slide 5 of 5) • The transfer in trust for Mel’s mother is a completed transfer since the trust is irrevocable • Only the remainder interest is a gift since Mel keeps the income interest for his life • This is a gift of a future interest • The $13,000 annual exclusion is not available

  38. Gross Estate (slide 1 of 3) • The Gross Estate includes all property owned by the decedent subject to the Federal estate tax, valued at FMV, including the following: • Personal effects, jewelry, furniture • Stocks, bonds and other investments • Rights to receive dividends or interest (if accrued at the date of death), and • The value of businesses owned by the decedent

  39. Gross Estate (slide 2 of 3) • The Gross Estate includes the proportionate value of any asset owned by a decedent and another person, if both parties paid • e.g., A decedent jointly owns a boat with his son. Both parties paid one-half the initial purchase price. • Only one-half the value of the boat is included in the Gross Estate

  40. Gross Estate (slide 3 of 3) • Asset values are determined at: • The date of death, or • The alternate valuation date (AVD), 6 months later, if elected by the executor • AVD must reduce gross estate and estate tax liability if used

  41. The Big Picture – Example 32Property Owned By The Decedent (§ 2033)(slide 1 of 2) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. At the time of his death, John was the president of Hood Corporation. John’s estate receives a distribution from Hood’s qualified pension plan of $1.1 million consisting of the following: Hood’s contributions $450,000 John’s after-tax contributions 350,000 Income earned by the plan 300,000

  42. The Big Picture – Example 32Property Owned By The Decedent (§ 2033)(slide 2 of 2) John’s estate also receives $150,000 from Hawk Insurance Company. The payment represents the maturity value of term life insurance from a group plan Hood maintains for its employees. As to these amounts, John’s gross estate includes $1,250,000 ($1,100,000 + $150,000). For income tax purposes, however, $750,000 ($450,000 + $300,000) is subject to tax, $500,000 ($350,000 + $150,000) is not.

  43. The Big Picture – Example 33Property Owned By The Decedent (§ 2033) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. Recall that John’s death ultimately resulted from injuries suffered in a car accident caused by another motorist. In addition, John’s auto was destroyed in the accident. Presuming the other driver is solvent or carries casualty insurance John’s gross estate should include the present value of any expected settlement that could result from possible legal action. At the least, his estate must include the recovery expected from his own casualty policy.

  44. Adjustments for Gifts Within 3 Years of Death - §2035 (slide 1 of 2) • The Gross Estate includes any gift tax paid on gifts made within three years of death • Called the gross-up procedure • Prevents the gift tax amount from escaping the estate tax

  45. Adjusted for Gifts Within 3 Years of Death - §2035 (slide 2 of 2) • The Gross Estate also includes any property interests transferred by gift within 3 years of death that would have been included in the gross estate, including • Transfers with a retained life estate (§ 2036) • Transfers taking effect at death (§ 2037) • Revocable transfers (§ 2038) • Proceeds of life insurance (§ 2042)

  46. The Big Picture – Example 36Transfers With A Retained Life Estate (§ 2036) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. Before Peter Hood died in 2000, he established several trusts. One trust grants John an income interest for life (i.e., a life estate), and upon his death, the trust passes to his children (i.e., remainder interest). On John’s death, none of the trust property is included in his gross estate. Although he held a life estate, he was not the transferor (Peter was) of the property placed in trust.

  47. The Big Picture – Example 37Transfers With A Retained Life Estate (§ 2036) Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. Immediately after inheriting the family hunting lodge from his mother, John transfers it to a newly created trust. Under the terms of the trust instrument, he retains a life estate, remainder to his children and Helen (John’s sister). Upon John’s death, the property in the trust will be included in his gross estate under § 2036.

  48. The Big Picture – Example 44Joint Interests Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. During his lifetime, Peter Hood purchased timberland listing title as follows: ‘‘John and Helen Hood as equal tenants in common.’’ John’s basis in the property is one-half of Peter’s cost. Upon John’s death, one-half of the value of the timberland is included in his gross estate.

  49. The Big Picture – Example 45Joint Interests Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. In her will, Martha leaves the Hood family residence to her children (John and Helen) as joint tenants with right of survivorship. John’s income tax basis is one-half of the value on Martha’s death. On John’s later death, one-half of the value at that time will be included in his gross estate. Keep in mind that under the right of survivorship, outright ownership goes to Helen and none of the property passes to John’s heirs.

  50. The Big Picture – Example 46Joint Interests Return to the facts of The Big Picture on p. 18-1. Recall that after his divorce from Hannah, John married Ashley. Since Hannah kept his prior home as part of the property settlement, John purchased a new residence. He listed title to the property as ‘‘John and Ashley Hood, tenancy by the entirety with right of survivorship.’’ Upon John’s death, only one-half of the value of the property is included in his gross estate. If Ashley had died first, one-half of the value of the residence would have been included in her gross estate even though she made no contribution to its cost.

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