Luke Grogan • May 23, 2024

How to Avoid Estate Taxes?

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The Estate Tax, which is different from the inheritance tax, only applies to estates worth a certain amount. This varies based on where your estate falls and how much tax will be imposed by law upon it after death. 

There are two major types of taxes: state taxes and federal government-levied taxes – also known as “death” or “charitable gift” taxes.

Federal Estate Tax 

Even though Florida doesn’t have any estate tax, as the state abolished it in 2004, you could still owe the federal estate tax, which kicks in at $11.7 million for 2021. This means that estates worth less than $11.7 million won’t pay any taxes at all, and fortunes above that mark will be taxed accordingly. 

The federal estate tax exemption is portable for married couples. So, if you plan correctly and take the time to execute your strategy before death occurs- an individual can have up to $23 million in assets free from taxation after both spouses pass away! If this amount exceeds what they had left behind -the top rate becomes 40%. 

Ten ways to avoid Estate tax

  1. Gift money to your kids in your lifetime 

Giving money to your kids or grandkids before passing away is an excellent way of setting them up for the future. The estate tax applies only if an individual’s assets exceed the exemption amount, which means that by giving gifts during their lifetime, individuals can avoid paying any inheritance taxes on those gifts. The rest of the property will be taxed at 40%. 

The gift of money can be difficult, but there are some restrictions on how much you’re allowed to give per person. In 2021, it was announced that these limits would increase by $5k, which means your parents could give up to $30k (total) without facing any tax consequences ($15k from dad and $15k from mom). The gifting can occur every year to each child. 

Giving more than the annual exclusion is never a good idea, and this year will be no different if you give away in excess. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deducts that excess from your estate tax exemption – using projected values based on current law for exemptions.

  1. Avoid estate tax with life insurance. 

Instead of gifting money to get it out of your estate, you could use some of the cash for life insurance. At death, there’s a chance that this will cover any tax issues and allow heirs to receive the full benefit of the insurance. 

  1. Set up a charitable trust 

You can give charity gifts while saving taxes with a Charitable Remainder Trust. A CRT is an irrevocable trust created under Internal Revenue Code 664, known as “the code.” This type donates assets such as real estate or stocks that generate income streams for your beneficiaries with remainder interests in them—and it lets you save on annual donations by giving these profits away after inflationary losses have been subtracted from their original value over time. 

One of the best features about CRTs is that they allow for an immediate deduction against your income to give back, and their assets remain exempt from federal taxes as well. 26 U S Code 664 provides requirements on how this type of trust can be set up, so make sure you follow all those rules!

  1. Set up a Donor Advised Fund 

You should contact each asset holder, such as banks and mortgage companies, to determine if you need probate. The rules apply differently for each organization when the time to sell an inherited property or house comes, especially in cases where a recent death has been involved with those assets becoming intestate (i e without heirs).

  1. Set up a Family Limited Partnership or Foundation 

Setting up a foundation is an excellent way to give back and protect your legacy. Foundation controls remain with the estate, so it’s still under your control even after setting up this new organization!

When creating a family-limited partnership, your investments are still protected from creditors or divorced spouses. However, if the owner dies without passing them on to another person in their will, these assets enter into a trust where they can be given to heirs after death with benefits like tax breaks for income- Estate or Gift taxes depending on how they’re taxed when transferred out. 

  1. Invest in a Business where your Heirs are Part-Owners

If you are looking for a way to lower your estate tax and give assets throughout the years, consider investing in someone else’s business. This will allow any future beneficiaries of yours (your heirs) an opportunity to receive monthly income from that company as long they continue running it. 

  1. Spend or Give Assets away 

You can spend your assets while still alive and receive significant tax breaks for these contributions. Additionally, it could save money compared to the taxes on properties over an estate exemption limit of $5 million.

  1. Tax Exemption doubled in the case of married couples. 

This is a single trust created by husband and wife, into which they transfer their assets. The good thing about this? It provides that while both spouses live in the same house (or proximity), they can share income or principal as desired—all without having any physical documents between themselves! Unfortunately, when one of them passes away, the spouse living can use it as they wish. This way of transferring property will reduce your taxes and provide more control over what happens with all that money if one person wants to leave nothing when they die–or has already passed away by then. 

  1. Move to an estate without estate taxes.

Currently, 17 states and the District of Columbia have an additional estate or inheritance tax. Moving to a different state after retirement not only helps you save on property and income taxes but can minimize your state’s-imposed taxes as well! One important note is that if you own homes in multiple states, it may be difficult for residency purposes – this would need professional help from attorneys who know about these laws much better than ourselves because we aren’t lawyers (but still want them). 

Note: there is no estate tax in Florida as it was abolished in 2004 

  1. Buy life insurance now and use the benefit to pay the tax.

When it comes to purchasing life insurance, the earlier you do, the better it is for you. This is because a person’s estate will be smaller, and they won’t have as many debts or issues with taxes on their remaining assets compared to those who wait until later in adulthood before getting such coverage approved. 

The last thing a grieving family wants to do is deal with the headache of estate taxes. Selling your inherited property with 321 house buyers for an instant cash offer can be an excellent solution to this problem, as it will give you peace of mind and eliminate any future worries about higher tax rates or penalties that could have been imposed on you or the assets of your beloved ones. We hold your hand in the difficult times and take you out of it by providing you with a great cash offer, regardless of your circumstances. Many cash buyers and companies claim to buy homes fast– but which one’s the best? If you’re looking to sell your house quickly in Cocoa Beach, 321 House Buyers is the team for you. We have years of experience buying homes in Brevard County and all over Florida, and we work to satisfy our customers’ needs at all costs. Give us a call at +1 (321) 323 9093 today or book an appointment for more details about our services.

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