Tagged: estate tax rate

…Nobody lives forever. This is why it is important that people in Florida have a proper estate plan in place just in case something unexpected occurs. When a person dies without carefully crafting an estate plan, his or her heirs may be subject to a variety of unnecessary costs. Hence, it is a good idea to periodically undergo an estate planning checkup in order to ensure everything is in place for proper estate administration at the appropriate time.

…It is undeniable that farmers make up an important segment of American society. They provide the nation with a reliable food source, allow us to avoid reliance on foreign food imports and also give us the means to import food products of American manufacture. In addition, farming is a cultural tradition, one that is passed down over countless generations.

Many people are waiting until next year before dealing with planning their estate, since they do not know whether new estate planning laws will be in effect by next year. Some people in Florida with a higher amount of assets are uncertain how future laws will affect their estate planning decisions.

…When a person dies and the decedent’s assets are transferred to another party, those assets are subject to taxation. The estate tax has been under scrutiny by lawmakers for the past several years. Some politicians want to continue the tax breaks started during the Bush administration; however, the Obama administration is proposing to end the Bush-era cuts on the estate tax, which could affect many in Florida.

…Estate tax planning is important for Florida residents, but it is also just as important for persons who own U.S. assets but are not U.S. citizens. The rules concerning non-resident asset taxation can be complicated, and they may only get more complicated over the next few years. Under current law, not only can the federal government levy estate taxes on property, but some states may also demand a probate tax at the time of death on property owned by non-residents.