Alerts & Updates
IRS Reveals 10-Year Spending Plan for $80 Billion Funding
April 24, 2023The Inflation Reduction Act enacted in August 2022 included $80 billion in funding for the IRS over the next decade. On April 6, 2023, the IRS released its Strategic Operating Plan (the “SOP”) which outlines the IRS’s plan for using these funds.
Supreme Court Rules that Non-Willful Foreign Bank Account Reporting Penalty Applies on a Per Report Basis
April 17, 2023The Bank Secrecy Act requires every U.S. person with a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, a financial account located outside the U.S. to report the account to the U.S. Treasury Department annually, if the total value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the year.
The IRS Puts its Stake in the Ground with Respect to Step Up in Basis on Grantor Trusts Not Included in Taxable Estate
April 7, 2023With IRS Revenue Ruling 2023-2, the IRS is attempting to eliminate a position trumpeted by certain estate and gift tax practitioners and commenters since 2002.
Biden Administration's 2024 Fiscal Year Budget Proposals Once Again Threaten Changes to the Estate and Gift Tax System
March 31, 2023On March 9, 2023, the Treasury Department released its General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2024 Revenue Proposals (known as the Greenbook), to accompany President Biden’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024. According to Cummings & Lockwood, the proposals support drastic changes to the estate and gift tax system that would substantially impact planning for transfers of wealth. Following are brief descriptions of the proposals that would most significantly impact estate and gift planning.
Corporate Transparency Act
January 25, 2023In September 2022, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) of the Department of the Treasury issued final regulations implementing the beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act of 2020 (the “CTA”).
2022 Cummings & Lockwood Firmwide Annual Update
January 4, 2023To Our Clients and Friends:
The end of the year is a good time for reflection about our values and accomplishments and our goals for the coming year. A letter from our new Chairman and Managing Director, Laura Weintraub Beck.
Tax Update: What the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 Means for 529 Accounts
January 3, 2023Included in Congress’ recently passed SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) is a noteworthy planning opportunity for those with 529 Accounts. In the past, withdrawals from tax-advantaged 529 Accounts could only be used for qualified education expenses without incurring federal income tax and penalties. While accounts could be rolled over for certain relatives, the options were undesirable for most.
Massachusetts Millionaire’s Tax Passed
November 11, 2022The Massachusetts constitution requires that the income tax must be a flat tax. On November 8, 2022, voters in Massachusetts approved a constitutional amendment for the first time in 22 years which imposes a 4% surtax on top of the state’s 5% flat tax for the portion of the annual household income exceeding $1,000,000. The $1,000,000 threshold will be adjusted annually to reflect cost-of-living increases.
Inflation Causes Significant Increases to Federal Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions
October 18, 2022On October 18, 2022, the IRS officially announced the inflation adjustments for 2023 for the gift and estate tax exemptions.
2022 Private Clients Group Annual Update Letter
October 2022This annual update summarizes the current status of the estate and gift tax rates and exemptions at the federal and state levels (Connecticut, New York and Florida) and highlights key provisions of these important state law developments.
IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Clarifying Anti-Clawback Rules for Retained Interest Gifts
April 29, 2022In November of 2019, the IRS issued final regulations referred to as the “Anti-Clawback” regulations that made it clear that a taxpayer who took advantage of the higher gift tax exemptions (currently, $12,060,000) available under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would not owe additional estate tax upon death if the exemption is lower at the time of death. The regulation was needed since the estate tax calculation includes lifetime taxable gifts. Otherwise, a taxpayer who made a large gift now may not pay gift tax but the estate would pay estate tax upon the taxpayer’s death if the exemption was lower at that time.
The Biden Administration's Revenue Proposals Again Include Changes to the Estate and Gift Tax System
March 30, 2022On March 28, 2022, the Biden Administration released its “General Explanation of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue Proposals.” The document again supports several drastic changes to the estate and gift tax system in addition to changes to the income tax system.