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Caution is required when addressing a gun collection in your estate plan
For many, the primary reason for creating an estate plan is to ensure their assets are passed on to family members according to their wishes. But when it comes to estate planning, not all assets are created equal. One asset type that can be tricky to transfer to beneficiaries is firearms. According to a Pew…
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Are you and your spouse considering splitting gifts?
The gift tax annual exclusion allows you to transfer up to $19,000 (for 2026) per beneficiary gift-tax-free, without tapping your $15 million (for 2026) lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. You can double the exclusion amount if you elect to split the gifts with your spouse. Gift-splitting in a nutshell Gift-splitting allows married couples to…
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An ILIT has many benefits, but options are available to undo it
Life insurance can provide peace of mind. But if your estate is large enough that estate taxes are a concern, it’s important not to own the policy at death. Why? The policy’s proceeds will be included in your taxable estate. To avoid this result, a common estate planning strategy is to set up an irrevocable…
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Address your elderly parents in your estate plan in 5 steps
When creating or updating your estate plan, it’s important to address your elderly parents with both clarity and sensitivity. If you provide financial support, share housing or anticipate future caregiving responsibilities, your plan should reflect these realities. Clearly documenting any ongoing assistance, loans or shared assets can help prevent misunderstandings among heirs later. In addition,…
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Accounting for intellectual property in your estate plan
When most people think about estate planning, they focus primarily on tangible assets, such as real estate, investments and personal property. However, in some cases, intellectual property (IP) can make up a substantial portion of an individual’s wealth. Proper planning can help ensure that these assets are preserved, accurately valued and transferred according to your…
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IRS issues guidance on Trump accounts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates a new type of tax-advantaged account for eligible children. Section 530A accounts, also known as “Trump accounts,” can be established for children under age 18 who have a Social Security Number (SSN). Contributions to properly established accounts can begin on July 4, 2026. The IRS has released guidance that sheds more…
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IRS releases critical guidance on calculating tips and overtime deductions for 2025
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates new income tax deductions for tax years 2025 through 2028 for qualified cash tips and overtime compensation. If you receive tips or overtime pay, you likely have questions about whether you’re eligible for a deduction and how big it might be. The IRS has issued guidance on how…
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2026 tax calendar
To help make sure you don’t miss any important 2026 deadlines, we’re providing this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Please review the calendar and let us know if you have any questions about the deadlines or would like assistance meeting them. February 2 Businesses: Provide Form 1098, Form 1099-MISC (except for…
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Beneficial ownership information reporting requirements suspended for domestic reporting companies
The twisty journey of the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA’s) beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements has taken yet another turn. Following a February 18, 2025, ruling by a federal district court (Smith v. U.S. Department of the Treasury), the requirements are technically back in effect for covered companies. But a short time later, the U.S. Department…
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Another court ruling on BOI reporting: Requirements are halted again
In a surprising turn of events, a federal appeals court has issued another ruling that suspends a requirement for businesses to file reports about their beneficial ownership information (BOI). This came just days after the same court issued a ruling that resulted in the federal government announcing that millions of small businesses did have to…
