Estate Tax Exemption Amounts
At the present time, $11,700,000 is the estate tax exemption for 2021, with modest increases through 2025. The estate tax exemption amount is slated to expire on December 31, 2025. At this time, it is unclear whether the Biden Administration will extend or change that exemption amount. Given our current national budgetary issues, it does not appear likely that the exemption amount would be increased at that time.
Estate Tax Planning Techniques
The above-noted exemption amounts are available to each resident of Rhode Island and/or Massachusetts and each United States citizen. A married couple with the proper estate plan, can effectively transfer double the exemption amounts to their beneficiaries. Therefore, in 2021, married persons are able to transfer $23,400,000 free of federal estate taxes if they properly plan their estates and preserve the first-to-die spouse’s unused federal estate exemption amount. Under the present federal estate tax structure, if one spouse passes away without having fully utilized their estate tax exemption amount, then, with planning, the surviving spouse can utilize that predeceased spouse’s unused exemption amount along with his or her own estate tax exemption amount.
As an example, if a married couple has assets valued at $23,400,000 and, upon the first spouse’s death, only $3,000,000 of the estate tax exemption amount was used, then the surviving spouse can use the predeceased spouse’s unused exemption amount of $8,700,000, plus his or her own $11,700,000 exemption amount to transfer $20,400,000 at the death of the second-to-die spouse. The total amount available to be transferred free of federal estate taxes for a married couple totals $23,400,000.
With a proper estate plan, married persons who are Rhode Island residents are able to transfer $3,190,312 free of estate tax and Massachusetts residents are able to transfer $2,000,000.
Our attorneys utilize traditional estate tax planning trusts, along with a variety of other estate tax planning techniques to assist individuals in developing an estate plan to help reduce or, in some cases, eliminate estate taxes.
Call or email for a complimentary consultation
(401) 455-3500
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or, fill out and submit the form below...
Copyright © 2020 by Mignanelli & Associates, Ltd. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | 10 Weybosset Street Suite 400, Providence, RI 02903
Phone: 401-455-3500 | Fax: 401-455-0648