Why Are the Wealthy Paying Fewer Estate Taxes?
Why Are the Wealthy Paying Fewer Estate Taxes?
The estate tax was a hot topic throughout the election process and now that we have a new president-elect it’s sure to get an even closer look when White House leadership changes hands early next year. Or course, both candidates had different views regarding this tax, but it’s interesting to note that despite the possible changes that could be coming, there might be very little actual impact to the revenue collected from this tax.
Reduce Tax Bill
It seems that many high-net-worth individuals have found ways to reduce their estate tax bill, without the help of any new policies. Why is that? How are wealthy individuals avoiding paying more in estate taxes? According to the most recent numbers available from the IRS, taxpayers paid $16.4 billion in federal estate taxes in 2014. Compare that to 2006 when the total was $24.6 billion and it’s clear that the numbers are in decline.
The fact is estate tax dollars only account for 1 percent of all revenue collected by the IRS. So how are the nation’s highest earners – especially those in the top 1 percent – paying so little in estate taxes? One big reason is the increasing number of exemptions that now exist. First off, the exemption threshold has increased to $5.5 million, so anyone who receives less than that is excluded. The top tax rate has also fallen from 70 percent in 1981 to just 40 percent today.
Avoid Tax
Wealthy taxpayers have also learned how to avoid this tax, by implementing many different estate-planning tools, including trusts, like the grantor-retained trust, to help make passing their wealth on much easier and more tax-friendly. Therefore, unless a massive overhaul of the estate tax is implemented it’s likely that wealthy taxpayers will continue to avoid it, or at the very least, minimize its impact.
You also might like the article Estate Tax Repeal of Revision?
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/23/how-the-rich-are-paying-less-in-estate-taxes.html
We hope you found this article about “Why are the Wealthy Paying Fewer Estate Taxes?” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com. GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.
Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.
The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.
They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world’s most successful individuals about their secrets to life’s success. Topics from guest have included:
Creating purpose in life / Building a foundation for their life / Solving problems / Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service / Becoming self-reliant / Enhancing effective leadership / Balancing family and work…
MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness. It’s mission statement:
In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.
Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.
Will Taxing the Rich Even More Improve Inequality?
Will Taxing the Rich Even More Improve Inequality? It’s been the cry of democratic lawmakers and many of the less fortunate for years: “We need to tax the wealthy even more.” “The rich have to pay their fair share of taxes, too.” The problem is the rich already pay a huge portion of the country’s…
It Pays to Be Rich for These Five Tax Breaks
It Pays to Be Rich for These Five Tax Breaks Although it’s true that the ultra-wealthy are heavily taxed, and in many cases unfairly, there are also some tax break advantages that favor the upper class more than those in the middle. Let’s take a look at some of these breaks. Most common and first…
New Jersey Governor Says Enough is Enough on Taxing the Wealthy
New Jersey Governor Says Enough is Enough on Taxing the Wealthy It seems that no tax is a bad tax when it comes to the “left” side of the government. It’s a well-known fact that the wealthiest Americans pay the largest portion of the country’s taxes. However, there are some government leaders that lean “right”…
Clinton’s Using Careful Strategies to Avoid Tax They Support
Clinton’s Using Careful Strategies to Avoid Tax They Support Have you ever wondered what wealthy democrats do when tax laws they support and vote for come back to apply to them? Although people typically associate being wealthy with republicans, there are plenty of rich democrats in the nations’ capitol as well. So just what do…