Following the death of the first spouse, a joint and survivor grantor trust remains an eligible S corporation shareholder for which no electing small business trust or qualified subchapter S trust election is required until after the death of the surviving spouse.
Read MoreIn recently issued Revenue Procedure 2021-45, the IRS announced calendar year 2022 increases to the federal estate and gift tax exemption, and to the gift tax annual exclusion. The 2022 federal estate and gift tax exemption has been increased to…
Read MoreEarlier this year, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill 5132. Among various other changes to Washington trust and estate law, the Bill adopts the Uniform Electronic Wills Act (the “Act”), which allows Washingtonians to create valid digital Wills…
Read MorePresident Joe Biden recently announced the American Families Plan (“the Plan”), which is summarized in the Fact Sheet provided by the President. The Plan is a proposal that has not passed Congress. If adopted, it would make several changes to…
Read MoreThe Washington Legislature passed a new state capital gains tax on April 5, 2021. Governor Inslee signed the bill, Senate Bill 5096, into law on May 4, 2021. The new law imposes a 7% tax on gains exceeding $250,000 in…
Read MoreThe IRS increased the 2021 federal estate and gift tax exemption to $11,700,000, up from $11,580,000 in 2020. The IRS announced the increase, along with a variety of other adjustments, in Rev. Proc. 2020-45. This increase to the federal exemption…
Read MoreRetirement accounts are often the most significant asset in an estate, yet in most cases, these assets pass outside the terms of our clients' testamentary documents. As a result, planners must take particular care to coordinate beneficiary designations with overall…
Read MoreThe IRS extended the deadline to file individual income tax returns (Form 1040) for all taxpayers from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020 in response to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreThe SECURE Act may impact existing estate plans, particularly for people who have named a trust as beneficiary of a retirement account.
Read MoreWe understand that the coronavirus outbreak is a source of high anxiety. The estate planning attorneys at MPBA have transitioned to remote operations during the stay-in-place order to ensure we meet our clients’ needs. We remain available to assist during this challenging…
Read More