As this article from Forbes.com illustrates, if your spouse died in 2011, you will probably want to at least consider filing an estate tax return with the IRS to preserve your deceased spouse's portable estate tax exemption — even if the estate was well below the exemption level. Due to the new portability rules, if [...]
Joseph T. Hahn
All posts in category Estate Tax
Spouse Died In 2011? File An Estate Tax Return
Posted by Joseph Hahn on August 22, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/08/22/spouse-died-in-2011-file-an-estate-tax-return/
IRS To Gay Newlyweds: You’re Not Married As Far As We’re Concerned
As this BusinessWeek piece illustrates, many of the recently-married same-sex couples in New York and other states permitting same-sex unions are facing a rude awakening. While they might be married in the eyes of their home state, the IRS isn't having it. Those couples must continue to file individual "single" returns and cannot file as [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on August 5, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/08/05/irs-to-gay-newlyweds-youre-not-married-as-far-as-were-concerned/
Overlooked Estate Planning Issues
This article by Bob Carlson at Investing Daily details some of the issues that are frequently overlooked during the estate planning process. Some of the questions: Is there enough cash? Who pays the taxes? Have beneficiary designations been addressed? Are there creditor problems? Who will serve as trustee/executor? Has the trust been funded?
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 21, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/21/overlooked-estate-planning-issues/
Lesbian Widow Suing For Estate Tax Refund
As ABC News is reporting, a New York woman left widowed after her lesbian partner of over 40 years died last year, has sued the federal government for a refund of the $363,000 in federal estate tax she was forced to pay after her partner's death. Her claim is based on the fact that a [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 20, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/20/lesbian-widow-suing-for-estate-tax-refund/
IRS Extends Time to File Form 8939 For Deaths in 2010
As this Bloomberg article explains, the IRS recently announced that it was extending the time for heirs of 2010 decedents to file Form 8939. That form will NOT be due on April 18, 2011, but rather, will be due at some point in the future after the IRS finalizes the form and issues further guidance. [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 5, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/05/irs-extends-time-to-file-form-8939-for-deaths-in-2010-2/
IRS Extends Time to File Form 8939 For Deaths in 2010
As this Bloomberg article explains, the IRS recently announced that it was extending the time for heirs of 2010 decedents to file Form 8939. That form will NOT be due on April 18, 2011, but rather, will be due at some point in the future after the IRS finalizes the form and issues further guidance. [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 5, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/05/irs-extends-time-to-file-form-8939-for-deaths-in-2010/
IRS Extends Time to File Form 8939 For Deaths in 2010
As this Bloomberg article explains, the IRS recently announced that it was extending the time for heirs of 2010 decedents to file Form 8939. That form will NOT be due on April 18, 2011, but rather, will be due at some point in the future after the IRS finalizes the form and issues further guidance. [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 5, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/05/irs-extends-time-to-file-form-8939-for-deaths-in-2010/
“Second To Die” Life Insurance: What Is It?
As explained in this posting at Seacoastonline.com, "second to die" or survivorship life insurance can solve many financial problems. What is it? It is a life insurance contract that covers two lives, with the death benefit being paid only after both insureds have died. By having two lives under one policy, the premiums are in [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 4, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/04/second-to-die-life-insurance-what-is-it/
“Second To Die” Life Insurance: What Is It?
As explained in this posting at Seacoastonline.com, "second to die" or survivorship life insurance can solve many financial problems. What is it? It is a life insurance contract that covers two lives, with the death benefit being paid only after both insureds have died. By having two lives under one policy, the premiums are in [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on April 4, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/04/04/second-to-die-life-insurance-what-is-it/
2010 Estate Tax Election Causing Headaches
As this article from Forbes lays out in detail, the complexity facing executors/trustees of estates where the decedent died in 2010 is daunting and likely to cause some head-scratching. Given the estate tax reform that took place at the very end of the year, these estates have to make an election of whether to proceed [...]
Posted by Joseph Hahn on February 24, 2011
http://hahnestateplanning.com/2011/02/24/2010-estate-tax-election-causing-headaches/
