Estate Tax Exemption Changes for 2024
The federal estate and gift tax exemption continues to increase. For the tax year 2024, the estate/gift exemption is $13,610,000 per individual or $27,220,000 for a married couple. The top tax rate for estate taxes remains at 40%. The federal estate tax provisions still include the concept of “portability”. Portability allows a married couple to double the estate tax exclusion. For 2024, married couples are able to protect $27,220,000 without incurring federal estate tax. However, absent action by Congress, the estate tax rates are scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2026. At sunset, the estate tax exemption will revert to... Read More
Estate Taxes Still an Issue
With the federal estate tax beginning for estates in excess of $5.4 million, most families no longer concern themselves with avoiding the imposition of this tax. However, Minnesota residences or non-residences with Minnesota property still face Minnesota taxes for estates that exceed $1.6 million. Do not assume that estate planning is no longer necessary simply because of the size of the federal exemption. There are a number of planning opportunities for families to avoid or minimize Minnesota estate tax. For more information on Estate Taxes and Estate Planning, contact Steve Fink at Farrish Johnson Law Office. This webpage contains general... Read More
Will Contest Case Succeeds at Appeal
Attorney Scott Kelly, representing the defendant, prevailed at the Court of Appeals in a will contest matter. In this appeal from a district court order in probate proceedings, the plaintiff challenged the district court’s adoption of the county taxing authority’s estimated market value as the fair market value of certain real property. The Court of Appeals agreed with the district court that the district court’s finding of fair market value had meaningful and adequate evidentiary support and was not clearly erroneous. This was the second appeal arising from a dispute over the administration of the estate and Scott worked closely... Read More