Anyone in the process of making a retirement or estate plan, or who intends to donate property to charity, needs to know the value of their assets. For many hard-to-value items — such as closely held business interests, real estate, art or collectibles — an...

If your child is awarded a scholarship for college or another type of school, it’s certainly cause for celebration. But parents need to be aware of the potential tax implications. This article explains when a scholarship may be taxable....

Trusts can help affluent individuals and families manage, protect and grow their wealth. But there are a wide variety to choose from, so it’s important to understand the basic concepts behind trusts before choosing one. This article defines trusts and provides an example of how...

Generally, the term “leakage” has negative connotations. So, it’s not surprising that the same is true in the context of retirement planning, where leakage refers to pre-retirement early withdrawals from a retirement account. A business owner who sponsors a qualified retirement plan might say, “Well,...

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens to a person’s assets after death. It’s also about protecting one’s family during his or her lifetime. This article discusses two estate planning documents that are essential for everyone: a living will and a health care power of...

The “sandwich generation” includes people who are caught between caring for their aging parents and still raising or helping their children. This brief article encourages those in the middle part of the sandwich to initiate family discussions with the other two parts to discuss tax...

Like most business owners, you’ve probably heard about 100% bonus depreciation. It’s available for a wide range of qualifying asset purchases. But there are many important details to keep straight. This article presents five key points about this powerful tax-saving tool....

Trusts can help affluent individuals and families manage, protect and grow their wealth. But there are a wide variety to choose from, so it’s important to understand the basic concepts behind trusts before choosing one. This article defines trusts and provides an example of how...

Wealthier individuals should bear in mind that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubled the federal gift and estate tax exemption through 2025. This brief article provides specifics on the dollar amounts involved and explains why there’s no reason to fear a “clawback.”...

The term “sandwich generation” describes people caught between caring for their aging parents and their children. This brief article encourages those in the middle part of the sandwich to initiate family discussions with the other two parts to discuss tax and financial planning issues....

Intrafamily loans can provide family members with financial support and encourage children to learn financial responsibility, all without diminishing one’s “nest egg.” But there are risks to consider. This article explains how an intrafamily loan should work and what to watch out for....

Business owners who go shopping for company assets this year should brush up on the enhanced bonus depreciation tax breaks created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed late last year. This article explains how the rules differ under previous tax law and the...

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law this past December, has brought great changes to estate planning. In doing so, it bolstered the potential value of dynasty trusts. This article explains why these trusts are well worth considering for tax purposes, while a...

The most effective way to protect assets from future creditors is to transfer them to children or other family members with no strings attached. But, understandably, many wealthier individuals want to retain some control over their wealth. This article looks at one potential option of...

If you’re an investor looking to save tax dollars, your kids might be able to help you out. Giving appreciated stock or other investments to your children can minimize the impact of capital gains taxes. For this strategy to work best, however, your child must not...

Once a relatively obscure concept, income in respect of a decedent (IRD) can create a surprisingly high tax bill for those who inherit certain types of property, such as IRAs or other retirement plans. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize or even eliminate the IRD...