Common Trust Fund Questions for Beginners

Are you considering a trust fund? Trust funds are a very useful tool for saving and investing money, but a lot of people aren’t totally sure how to use a trust or even how they work. Trust funds essentially hold assets, like property, a business or money, for the benefit of another person, a group of people or even an organization. There are several common questions regarding trusts, so let’s take a look at some of them.

  • How are trust funds structured – a trust fund is a specially created entity that is held in the state where it was formed. In some states you can create perpetual trust funds, which never end, while other states only allow trusts with a termination date.
  • What are the reasons to use a trust fund – there are many reasons to set up a trust, but one of the best reasons is that they can protect your assets from creditors. Another reason to use a trust is to protect your assets from untrustworthy family members. You can use a trust to save thousands or even millions of dollars from taxes by donating the trust assets to a charity.
  • When is the right time to form a trust – this is a wide-open question because every situation is unique. It depends on your reason for setting up the trust, how much you will be putting into the trust and who will be the beneficiary. It’s best to speak with a professional to determine when the right time is for you.

If you think you are ready to create a trust then come talk with us at GROCO for more ideas and information. One of the biggest factors to consider is how your trust will affect your taxes. We will help you look at all your options and make sure that your trust is set up to be as tax-friendly as possible. Just give us a call at 1-877-CPA-2006, or click here to learn more.

Posted in
The secondary market may impact 409A valuations

Secondary Market May Impact 409A Valuations

Secondary Market May Impact 409A Valuations An issue gaining attention with respect to 409A valuations is the fact that many private company shares are increasingly being traded in the secondary market. There is a debate among valuation specialists over how transactions in private company stock impact the value of the company securities for 409A purposes.…

Five Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers with a Name Change

Five Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers with a Name Change

Here are five tips for recently married or divorced taxpayers with a name change. If you changed your name after a recent marriage or divorce, the IRS reminds you to take the necessary steps to ensure the name on your tax return matches the name registered with the Social Security Administration. A mismatch between the…

You Thought FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report – Form TD F 90-22.1) Was Bad?

You Thought FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report – Form TD F 90-22.1) Was Bad?

You Thought FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report – Form TD F 90-22.1) Was Bad? By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST Partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP PLEASE See: http://www.calcpa.org/Content/26096.aspx We are happy to help you meet these old & new disclosure requirements. Non-reporting subjects a taxpayer to horrendous penalties, even if no tax is due.…

What the IRS Has On File About You and How to Obtain Your Tax Files

What the IRS Has On File About You and How to Obtain Your Tax Files

What the IRS Has On File About You and How to Obtain Your Tax Files IRS liens and levies can wreak havoc on a person’s life, making it difficult to obtain financing on a home or a car and wiping out savings. Maybe you want access to your tax files to see where the problem…