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How is the net value of my estate determined?
To determine the current net value, add your assets, then subtract your debts. Include your home, business interests, bank accounts, investments, personal property, IRAs, retirement plans and death benefits from your life insurance.
How can I reduce or eliminate my estate taxes?
In the simplest terms, there are three ways:
1. If you are married, use both estate tax exemptions
2. Remove assets from your estate before you die
3. Buy life insurance to replace assets given to charity and/or pay any remaining estate taxes
Using Both Exemptions
If your spouse is a U.S. citizen, you can leave him or her an unlimited amount when you die with no estate tax. But this can be a tax trap, because it wastes an exemption.
Let’s say, for example, that Bob and Sue together have a net estate of $4 million and they both die in 2006. Bob dies first. He leaves everything to Sue, so no estate taxes are due then. When Sue dies, her estate of $4 million uses her $2 million exemption. The tax bill on the remaining $2 million is $920,000! ($900,000 in 2007 and 2008.)
But if, instead, Bob and Sue plan ahead, they can use both their exemptions and pay no estate taxes. A tax planning provision in their living trust splits their $4 million estate into two trusts of $2 million each. When Bob dies, his trust uses his $2 million exemption. When Sue dies, her trust uses her $2 million exemption. This reduces their taxable estate to $0, so the full $4 million can go to their loved ones.
This planning can also be done in a will, but you would not avoid probate or enjoy the other benefits of a living trust. Speak with an experienced Estate Planning Attorney in Los Angeles today to plan for your estate taxes.
Related articles
- Understanding Estate Taxes: Who Has to Pay Estate Taxes? (ankerreedhsc.wordpress.com)
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