Every year the Internal Revenue Service adjusts tax exemptions and deduction limits to keep them in alignment with inflation. The changes that are made can have a big impact on estate plans, even if the actual adjustments are relatively small.
The IRS recently announced some of those important changes. They could make a difference for people planning their estates, according to the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog in “Estate Planning Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2018 & 2017-2018 Priority Guidance Plan.”
Changes include:
• Lifetime gift tax exemption increased to $5.6 million.
• Annual gift tax limit increased to $15,000.
• Annual gift tax limit to a foreign spouse increased to $152,000.
• Estate tax exemption increased to $5.6 million.
• Failure to file a return within 60 days of due date, to result in a penalty of $215 or 100% of amount due, whichever is lower.
If you have questions about how these changes could impact your estate plan, visit an estate planning attorney.
Reference: Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog (Nov. 8, 2017) “Estate Planning Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2018 & 2017-2018 Priority Guidance Plan.”