When is an Estate Subject to State Death Taxes?

In the United States, certain states collect a death tax based on the value of the deceased person’s estate and who inherits it.

Which States Collect a State Death Tax?

As of January 1, 2015, the following states collect a death tax:  Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee (but it will be repealed in 2016), Vermont, and Washington.

Each of these states has its own laws governing the amount of assets that are exempt from the death tax, what deductions can be taken, and the applicable death tax rate.  But regardless of these factors, for an estate to be potentially subject to a state death tax, the deceased person must have either lived in the state at the time of death or owned real estate or tangible personal property located in the state.

State Death Tax Examples

Some examples should help to illustrate when an estate may be potentially subject to a state death tax:

1.      Deceased Person was a New York resident.  If you inherit your uncle’s estate and he lived in New York at the time of his death, will the estate potentially be subject to a state death tax?  The answer is yes, because your uncle lived in New York at the time of his death and New York collects a state death tax.  However, whether or not the estate will owe any New York death taxes will depend on the value of your uncle’s estate and what deductions can be taken.

2.      Deceased Person was a Florida resident.  On the other hand, if your uncle lived in Florida at the time of his death and did not own any property located in New York, then his estate would not be subject to New York death taxes, nor would his estate owe any Florida death taxes since Florida does not collect a state death tax.

3.      Inheritor is a New York Resident.  What if you inherit your uncle’s estate and he lived in Florida at the time of his death and he did not own any property located outside of Florida, and you live in New York, will your uncle’s estate be subject to the New York death tax?  The answer is no, because your uncle was a Florida resident who did not own property located in New York, and Florida does not collect a state death tax.  But what if your uncle, who was a Florida resident at the time of his death, owned a second home located in New York?  In this case your uncle’s estate will potentially be subject to New York death taxes even though he was a Florida resident at the time of his death because he owned a house that is physically located in New York which is a state that collects a state death tax.

As the above examples show, state death taxes are tricky and can apply even in unexpected situations.  Please contact our office if you have any questions about state death taxes.

To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained in  this newsletter  was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal tax  penalties that may  be imposed on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice from their tax adviser based on the taxpayer’s  particular circumstances.

Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced in House and Senate

Identical bills have been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate that would permanently repeal the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer (“GST”) tax.

Overview of Current Federal Estate, Gift, and GST Tax Laws

Under current law, the exemptions from federal estate taxes, lifetime gift taxes, and GST taxes are indexed for inflation on annual basis.  In 2015, the exemption from each tax is $5,430,000.  In addition, the top tax rate for each type of tax has been holding steady at 40 percent since 2013 and will remain at this rate in future years (barring any legislative changes).

Summary of Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015

On February 26, 2015, Rep. Kevin Brady (R – TX) introduced a bill “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and for other purposes,” to be known as the “Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015” (H.R. 1105). 

This bill currently has 135 Co-Sponsors (134 Republicans and one Democrat – Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA)) and provides for the following:

·         Repeals the federal estate tax and the GST tax for estates of decedents dying, and generation-skipping transfers made, after the date of enactment;

·         Includes special rules for assets held in a qualified domestic trust before the date of enactment;

·         Retains the federal gift tax with a top rate of 35 percent;

·         Retains the current law regarding the lifetime gift tax exemption;

·         Retains the gift tax annual exclusion ($10,000 as adjusted for inflation at a minimum of $1,000 increments; the exclusion is $14,000 for 2015);

·         Provides that transfers in trust will be treated as taxable gifts, unless the trust is treated as a grantor trust; and

·         Retains the carryover basis rules for lifetime gifts and stepped-up basis for property transferred after death.

On March 25, 2015, Sen. John Thune (R – SD) introduced an identical bill in the Senate (S.860) (the Senate bill was introduced with 26 Co-Sponsors, all Republicans).  On that same date, the House Ways and Means Committee (the chief tax-writing committee of the House) voted to favorably report the bill (as amended) by a roll call vote along party lines of 22 yeas to 10 nays.

What is the Future of the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015?

Is it possible that with a Republican-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate, the Death Tax Repeal Act will become law in 2015?  Not likely.  President Obama has already expressed his disapproval of the proposal and would most assuredly veto the bill if it ever came across his desk for signature.  Nonetheless, our firm will continue to monitor both state and federal bills that will affect your estate plan and your estate tax bill. You should be aware of these proposed changes because legislative changes can have a significant impact on your estate plan.

To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained in  this newsletter  was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal tax  penalties that may  be imposed on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice from their tax adviser based on the taxpayer’s  particular circumstances.

Caution: Writing Your Own Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Unintended Consequences

One common way to avoid probate of real estate after the owner dies is to hold the title to the property in joint names with rights of survivorship with children or other beneficiaries.  This is accomplished by adding the names of the children and certain legal terms to a new deed for the property and then recording it in the applicable public land records. 

Many people believe that they do not need to pay an attorney to help them prepare and record the new deed.  Instead, they think that a deed form can simply be downloaded from the internet or obtained from a book that can then be easily filled out and recorded.  But deeds are in fact legal documents that must comply with state law in order to be valid.  In addition, in most states, property will not pass to the other owners listed in a deed without probate unless certain specific legal terms are used in the deed.

How is a Defective Deed or an Invalid Deed Corrected? 

If the problems with a defective deed or an invalid deed are discovered before the owner dies, then the problems can be addressed by preparing and recording a “corrective deed” in the applicable public land records.  This should only be done with the assistance of an attorney.

Unfortunately, many times the problems with a defective deed or an invalid deed are not discovered until after the owner dies.  If this is the case, then the problems cannot be fixed with a corrective deed since the deceased owner is unable to sign the corrective deed.  Instead, the property will most likely need to be probated in order to fix the problems with the title.  Aside from probate taking time and costing money for legal fees and court expenses, until the problems with the title are sorted out in probate court, heirs will not be able to sell the property.  Or, worse yet, the property may be inherited by someone the owner had intended to disinherit when they prepared and recorded their own deed.

What Should You Do?

If you want to add your children or other beneficiaries to your deed in order to avoid probate, and you think you can save a few bucks by using a form you find on the internet or in a book, think again.  Deeds are legal documents that have very specific requirements and are governed by different laws in each state (in other words, a deed that is valid in New York may not necessarily be valid in Florida). 

If you want your home or other real estate to pass to your children or other beneficiaries without probate, then seek the advice of an attorney who is familiar with the probate and real estate laws of the state where your property is located. This will insure that the deed will be valid and your property will in fact avoid probate and pass to your intended heirs.

To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained in  this newsletter  was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal tax  penalties that may  be imposed on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice from their tax adviser based on the taxpayer’s  particular circumstances.

Three Liability Planning Tips for Physicians Anyone Can Use

Whether you are a physician or not, you probably know that the practice of medicine is a profession fraught with liability.  It’s not just medical malpractice claims either – employment related issues, careless business partners and employees, contractual obligations, and personal liabilities add to the risk assumed by a physician in private practice.  Unfortunately, in our litigious society, these liability risks are not unique to physicians.  Business owners, board members, real estate investors, and retirees need to protect themselves from a variety of liabilities too.   

Below are three liability planning tips anyone – physicians and non-physicians alike – can use to protect their hard earned money.

Tip #1 – Insurance is the First Line of Defense Against Liability

Liability insurance is the first line of defense against a claim.  Liability insurance provides a source of funds to pay legal fees as well as settlements or judgments. Types of insurance you should have in place include (as applicable):

•                     Homeowner’s insurance

•                     Property and casualty insurance

•                     Excess liability insurance (also known as “umbrella” insurance)

•                     Automobile and other vehicle (motorcycle, boat, airplane) insurance

•                     General business insurance

•                     Professional liability insurance

•                     Directors and officers insurance

Tip #2 – State Exemptions Protect a Variety of Personal Assets From Lawsuits

Each state has a set of laws and/or constitutional provisions that partially or completely exempt certain types of assets owned by residents from the claims of creditors.  While these laws vary widely from state to state, in general you may be able to protect the following types of assets from a judgment entered against you under applicable state law:

•                     Primary residence (referred to as “homestead” protection in some states)

•                     Qualified retirement plans (401Ks, profit sharing plans, money purchase plans, IRAs)

•                     Life insurance (cash value)

•                     Annuities

•                     Property co-owned with a spouse as “tenants by the entirety” (only available to married couples; and may only apply to real estate, not personal property, in some states)

•                     Wages

•                     Prepaid college plans

•                     Section 529 plans

•                     Disability insurance payments

•                     Social Security benefits

Tip #3 – Business Entities Protect Business and Personal Assets From Lawsuits

Business entities include partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.  Business owners need to mitigate the risks and liabilities associated with owning a business, and real estate investors need to mitigate the risks and liabilities associated with owning real estate, through the use of one or more entities.  The right structure for your enterprise should take into consideration asset protection, income taxes, estate planning, retirement funding, and business succession goals.

Business entities can also be an effective tool for protecting your personal assets from lawsuits.  In many states, assets held within a limited partnership or a limited liability company are protected from the personal creditors of an owner.  In many cases, the personal creditors of an owner cannot step into the owner’s shoes and take over the business.  Instead, the creditor is limited to a “charging order” which only gives the creditor the rights of an assignee.  In general this limits the creditor to receiving distributions from the entity if and when they are made.

Final Advice for Protecting Your Assets

Liability insurance, exemption planning, and business entities should be used together to create a multi-layered liability protection plan.  Our firm is experienced with helping physicians, business owners, board members, real estate investors, and retirees create and—just as important—maintain a comprehensive liability protection plan.  Please call our office if you have any questions about this type of planning. 

To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained in  this newsletter  was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal tax  penalties that may  be imposed on such person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice from their tax adviser based on the taxpayer’s  particular circumstances.