Alerts & Updates
NY Extends the Three Year Look Back for Lifetime Gifts when Calculating the New York Estate Tax
April 3, 2019The New York estate tax exemption currently is $5,740,000. The exemption is adjusted for inflation and will increase over time.
Client Alert - Connecticut's Changes to Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions - Confirmed!
March 11, 2019In 2019, the Connecticut exemption amount from estate and gift tax has been increased from its prior level of $2,600,000 per individual to $3,600,000. As we have reported, there has been some confusion as to what is to occur in 2020 and future years because in May of 2018, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut legislature enacted two different bills with respect to the Connecticut estate and gift tax.
Governor Lamont’s Budget Proposal Includes Potential Changes to Connecticut’s Estate and Gift Tax
February 19, 2019Governor Lamont’s proposed budget titled “A Path Forward” for Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 was announced on February 20, 2019 (the “Proposed Budget”) and includes changes to Connecticut’s estate and gift tax regime.
Beware of Scam Targeting Owners of LLCs
January 3, 2019Connecticut clients should be aware of a large scale scam targeting owners of Limited Liability Companies.
2018 Cummings & Lockwood Annual Update
December 30, 2018As we complete our 110th year, our Partners are grateful to have assisted existing and new clients, serving a range of individuals, families, charitable entities and businesses.
December 2018 Client Update
December 2018Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group advises on changes in the federal and state tax laws and general estate planning developments in 2018, including estate, gift and GST tax rates and exemptions
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Revises Geographic Targeting Orders; Lowering Dollar Threshold and Including Additional Geographic Locations
On November 15, 2018, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Treasury Department (“FinCEN”) announced that it had revised its existing “Geographic Targeting Orders” (“GTOs”) to expand the included geographic areas, significantly lower the applicable dollar threshold, make said threshold consistent across all geographic areas, and include purchases made using virtual currency.
Investments in Opportunity Zones Allow Investors to Defer and Possibly Eliminate Capital Gains as Potential Alternative to 1031 Exchanges
On October 19, 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department released proposed regulations relating to the Opportunity Zones program, which is an investment tool established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act allowing investors in certain “Opportunity Zones” to defer and partially eliminate capital gains taxes on gains realized from selling real or personal property.
Regulations Proposed by IRS Would Eliminate Lingering Concerns About Clawback
November 19, 2018On November 20, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations to address one of the lingering concerns of using the increased gift tax exemption on gifts prior to 2026 - the so-called “clawback.”
Client Alert - IRS Proposes Regulations on How the Qualified Business Income Deduction (199A) Will Apply to Estates and Trusts
August 16, 2018The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Act") created a new deduction under section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code for Qualified Business Income. The new deduction allows the owner of an interest in a pass through entity to take a deduction of up to 20% of the Qualified Business Income of the entity each year.
Client Alert - Charitable Contributions Guidance Updated by IRS
May 15, 2018The provisions of Chapter 13 of the Internal Revenue Code aren't for the faint of heart. That chapter specifically deals with the tax on generation-skipping transfers, that is transfers to individuals more than one generation below the donor.
Client Alert - Newman's Own Exception Makes It Easier For Private Foundations to Hold Business Interests
February 8, 2018IRS Section 4943(g) was added to the Internal Revenue Code on February 9, 2018. Informally known as “Newman’s Own”, section 4943(g) provides an exception to the private foundation excess business holding rules that will allow certain private foundations to own 100% of a privately held company indefinitely, so long as certain requirements are met.