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How To Avoid Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax is a tax levied on an individual’s estate (property, assets, and money) upon their death. The amount of tax owed is based on the estate’s value and the heirs’ relationship to the deceased.

Avoiding inheritance taxes and inheritance tax reduction is a common strategy for many individuals looking to protect their assets and maximize the amount passed down to their heirs. One can achieve this through proper estate planning, such as creating a trust, giving gifts during one’s lifetime, and ensuring all assets are appropriately titled.

In the United States, only six states impose inheritance tax:

  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland 
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

This blog provides valuable information on the inheritance tax system in the United States, including the current laws and regulations and various strategies and options for avoiding inheritance tax. In addition, we discuss the drawbacks of inheritance tax and when it may not be the most suitable option. It will also provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions on how to avoid inheritance tax.

Let us start by looking at the strategies and options available for avoiding inheritance tax.

Strategies & Options Available For Avoiding Inheritance Tax

Following are the strategies & options available for the avoidance of inheritance tax:

  1. Gifting – One of the simplest ways to reduce the amount of inheritance tax owed is by giving gifts during one’s lifetime. There is a yearly exclusion for gifts up to a specific dollar amount, and it’s also possible to pay for someone’s education or medical expenses without incurring gift tax. The annual exclusion amount for gifts made in 2022 is $15,000 per recipient per year. This means an individual can give up to $15,000 to each recipient in a year without reporting the gift or paying any gift tax.
  2. Setting Up A Trust Fund- Setting up a trust fund to avoid inheritance tax – is a popular strategy. Trusts can transfer assets to beneficiaries while retaining control over the assets during one’s lifetime. There are various types of trusts, including irrevocable trusts, which can provide greater protection against inheritance tax.
  3. Tax-Efficient Estate Planning Tools – Other tax-efficient estate planning tools that can avoid inheritance tax include life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and annuities. By properly utilizing these tools, it’s possible to pass on more wealth to one’s beneficiaries while minimizing the amount of inheritance tax owed.
  4. Transferring Ownership – One strategy for avoiding inheritance tax is transferring ownership of assets before death. One can do this through methods such as transferring ownership of a home to a living trust or changing the title of assets to joint ownership with the intended beneficiary.
  5. Charitable Donations – Making philanthropic donations can also help with inheritance tax reduction. By making charitable donations during one’s lifetime or including charitable bequests in one’s will, it’s possible to reduce the size of one’s estate and lower the amount of inheritance tax owed.
  6. Estate Freeze – An estate freeze is a tax planning strategy that allows for the transfer of assets to the next generation at a reduced value for tax purposes. You can transfer ownership of appreciating assets to a family trust while retaining income from those assets. An estate freeze can reduce the amount of inheritance tax owed and allow more wealth for giving to future generations.
  7. Making a Will – Having a properly drafted and executed will is an integral part of estate planning and can help in avoiding inheritance tax. A will allows for the orderly distribution of one’s assets. You can use a will to specify the distribution of assets to beneficiaries, including gifts to charity and the creation of trusts. It’s essential to keep a will up-to-date to ensure that it reflects one’s current wishes and helps to minimize the amount of inheritance tax owed. Seeking the advice of an estate planning attorney can ensure that a will is drafted correctly and meets all legal requirements.

So, these are the strategies & options available for avoiding inheritance tax. Next, let us look at the current laws & regulations around inheritance tax in the USA.  

If you need some ideas about what to read next, here they are:

 

Current Laws & Regulations Around Inheritance Tax In The USA

Following are the current laws & regulations around inheritance tax in the USA:

  1. State-Specific Taxation- In the United States, inheritance tax implies only in six states: Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The inheritance tax rate can vary from state to state and depend on the relationship between the decedent and the heir. For example, the tax rate in New Jersey can range from 11% to 16% for transfers to siblings and 15% to 16% for transfers to other heirs.
  2. Federal Estate Tax- Federal estate tax, which is separate from inheritance tax, applies to estates valued at over $11.7 million for individuals and $23.4 million for couples in 2023. Federal estate tax laws are subject to change, and one must stay updated about them before taking any action.
  3. Exemptions and Exclusions- Each state with an inheritance tax has its own set of exemptions and exclusions, which can significantly impact the amount of inheritance tax owed. Common exemptions include transfers to a surviving spouse, charitable organizations, and close relatives such as children and grandchildren. Exclusions can consist of personal property items like jewelry and automobiles, as well as specific types of assets like retirement accounts and life insurance policies. Understanding these exemptions and exclusions can help in avoiding inheritance tax and inheritance tax reduction.
  4. Filing Requirements- Inheritance tax laws in the United States also include specific filing requirements, including filing inheritance tax returns and paying any owed taxes. The deadline for filing an inheritance tax return and paying any owed taxes can vary by state and may be as short as six months after the date of death. For example- In New York, the decedent’s estate must file an estate tax return if the estate exceeds the state’s exemption amount, which is currently $5,850,000. The return must be filed within nine months of the date of death and must include a detailed list of all assets and liabilities in the estate. Failure to file a return or to pay the tax owed can result in penalties and interest charges.
  5. Estate Tax Return- In addition to inheritance tax returns, estates may also have to file a federal estate tax return if the value of the estate exceeds the applicable exclusion amount. It is vital to consider both the federal and state exclusion amounts when determining the amount of estate tax that you may owe. This return must be filed within nine months of the date of death and is used to calculate the amount of federal estate tax owed if any. The federal estate tax return must be filed even if the estate does not owe any federal estate tax.

It is important to stay updated about the current laws and regulations regarding inheritance tax in the United States to develop a plan for avoiding inheritance taxes and passing on one’s wealth to future generations in a tax-efficient manner. 

Next, let us see what the drawbacks & loopholes in the inheritance tax system are.

Drawbacks of Inheritance Tax- When Would It Not Be Suitable?

Following are some inheritance tax loopholes:

  1. Reduced Inheritance- Inheritance tax reduces the amount of money or property that can be passed on to heirs, thereby reducing the overall size of the estate. This can be especially detrimental for families with limited resources who may rely on the inheritance to support themselves.

  2. Complex Tax System- Inheritance tax laws and regulations can be complicated, making it challenging for individuals and families to understand their obligations and ensure compliance with the applicable laws. This complexity can also lead to the development of inheritance tax loopholes, which wealthy individuals and families can exploit to reduce the amount of inheritance tax owed.

  3. Cost of Compliance- Complying with inheritance tax laws and regulations can be expensive, as it may require the services of a tax professional or attorney. The cost of compliance can also burden estates, reducing the amount of money or property that will pass to heirs.

  4. Inequity- Inheritance tax may be seen as unfair or inequitable by some individuals and families, as it imposes a tax on wealth that has already been taxed. This may discourage individuals from passing on their wealth to future generations.

In some cases, inheritance tax may not be the most suitable method for raising revenue for the government. While ensuring that the tax system is fair and equitable, it is also important to consider the potential drawbacks and challenges of inheritance tax, including its impact on families and estates and its potential for creating loopholes and inequities.

We have discussed the concept of inheritance tax, options available for avoiding inheritance tax, current laws around the same, and inheritance tax loopholes. In the final section, let us look at an investment alternative that has been helping people fulfill their various investment & financial goals with its fantastic returns & risk mitigation systems. 

The Bottom Line

This blog, “How to avoid inheritance tax,” provides comprehensive information on the various strategies and options available for avoiding inheritance tax, current laws and regulations regarding inheritance tax in the USA, and the drawbacks of inheritance tax. By considering the various factors and weighing the pros and cons of each approach, individuals and families can make calculated decisions on how to minimize their inheritance tax liability.

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Ashish Verma

Ashish Verma is the founder and CTO of Secvolt, with close to 10 years of experience in the IT industry. He has been the technical backbone of the company and has worked tirelessly to make the technical infrastructure robust. He is a passionate entrepreneur who generates solutions that have the potential to bring change.

In order to ease the client’s interaction with Secvolt, he has strived to develop the business’s technological foundation and establish a user-friendly platform. Ashish has also contributed substantially to smoothening the company’s administration and ensuring that there are no lacunae in the broad structure of the organization. 

Early Years

Coming from a middle-class family, he was aware of the problems that people faced while using technology. He sought to create something that was simple to use yet had a powerful effect. As he studied computer science, he became eager to offer a solution to real issues. He began his professional career at Amdocs, where he gained expertise in client management while catering to more than 20 clients. Later, he moved to Citicorp, where he had exposure to the investment industry. His time at Amdocs and Citi enabled him to produce high-standard, efficient, and scalable technical infrastructure.

He left corporate jobs for his startup because he was passionate about working on the concept of a smart city platform. He expanded the concept internationally and even collaborated with Global Dignity-Kuwait. Things didn’t work out for him the first time. He states, “My failures didn’t stop me from experimenting and trying new things.” He rose from the ashes like a phoenix and founded FewerClicks, an End to End IT solution company.

He worked on the creation of Solster Finance, a decentralized financial platform based on the Solana blockchain. He created this platform single-handedly which has helped the team raise a $1M investment and a revenue of more than $5M within 6 months of launching. 

He has previously worked on many blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency ventures, which include Decentralized Finance Applications (Defi), Decentralized Applications (Dapps), File Contracts (SIA, record-keeper), Smart Contracts (rust, solidity), and NFT Development. His experience and effective communication have helped many team members understand Secvolt effectively and the underlying technology it is powered by.

He possesses the ideal combination of strategic thinking and excellent business insight. He is responsible for formulating technical aspects of the company’s strategy to guarantee alignment with business objectives. With his drive to experiment with new technologies, he has helped Secvolt achieve a competitive edge. Being in charge, Ashish never holds back in encouraging the different departments to make profitable use of technology, helping to grow as an unstoppable team at Secvolt!

Hanif Shaikh

Hanif Shaikh is the founder and CMO of Secvolt, with over 8 years of experience in the industry. He plays a crucial role when it comes to the growth of Secvolt. Since the beginning, he has acted as a mentor for each and every employee of the company, and he makes an effort to be accessible to his staff anytime they need him. 

Hanif first entered the Blockchain and Crypto world in 2016, and nothing has stopped him since. He views blockchain as a transparent platform that provides authority and accountability back to the people. He consistently believes that “overcommunication is better than miscommunication.” He has lived by this motto with his staff, clients, and networks.

Early Years

Hailing from Gujrat, a state in India, he is following his dream to contribute to making this world a better place. In the process, he has struggled, made some mistakes, and learned lessons from those mistakes to achieve success in life. His entrepreneurial attitude dates back to his childhood when he learned from his father’s business and aspired to have it all. He came from a humble background and had ambitions to succeed in life.

He has developed two successful businesses from scratch, and in the process, he has inspired young people to start their own businesses. He was an integral part of the Quora Mumbai Meetups and helped it become a great success in a short period of time. Later, he began organizing meetups to raise awareness about blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and their applications. He also shared his knowledge of ICOs, highlighted reputable ICOs, and established a small cryptocurrency community on WhatsApp groups.

He chose to go on a Blockchain Tour in India in 2019 and met some fascinating people. Throughout his journey, he has been able to build an extensive and robust network that has aided Secvolt’s growth. Because of his expertise and understanding of the Crypto Industry, he has been featured on several news channels and has advised the youth on the subject.

He is in charge of the company’s marketing operations and is responsible for developing its marketing strategy and vision. He oversees a group of passionate marketing professionals and plans promotional strategies with the goal of making  Secvolt a global brand. 

He is a perfect blend of a practical attitude and innovative business acumen. He believes in the ability of individuals to perform exceptionally well when given an environment to experiment and explore their passions; a culture that he has built at Secvolt.

Divakar Choudhary

Divakar Choudhary is the founder and CEO of Secvolt who has been trading for more than six years now. He started the business in 2018 with the conviction that if anybody could dominate the market, it was him. He poured all of himself into the business and turned Secvolt into a market-beating machine.

Divakar developed the fundamental quant models that perform risk management and capture alpha using his skills from the previous organization and his time spent in the market. In order to make the system effective, he backtested risk mitigation algorithms and worked on them for more than 4 years to produce results.

Early Years

He began his crypto journey in 2013 after getting his first gaming Laptop and melded in with the Blockchain community like sunbeams on the ocean. He created many YouTube channels at the age of 15 and businesses by the time he was 17. Technology has always piqued Divakar’s interest. He endeavored and succeeded at freelancing in his effort to achieve financial independence. However, he soon realized that freelancing would always keep him in the rat race, and the only way out would be to build a machine yielding generational wealth.

Soon, he started trading using his own capital but suffered a loss in the market. He says, “95% of people lose money & the rest 5% make money from the loss of those 95%.” He then began working on an effective technique to be included in this 5% after losing part of his own assets during the early stages of trading. He began evaluating quant strategies using statistical models.

With his methodology, he once produced a 20% ROI in a single month. With the zeal of creating something exceptional, he borrowed money from friends and family and generated decent returns for them using primitive quant models. Month after month, the system’s efficiency and the competence of the man behind it allowed for excellent market returns.

In the beginning, Divakar worked on his laptop for over 18 hours. It took every ounce of his energy as he executed about 530+ deals daily for 4 years to create this company from the ground up. In 2021, he increased his volume by 827%, trading a total of $52 million and hitting a single account.

In his words-

“What does becoming “THAT” GUY mean to you? Who did you need when you were young? Be that person!”

He is a perfect example of someone who followed his passion and made a fortune from it! He dreamt of creating generational wealth as a youngster, envisioned it as an adult, and is now making it a reality with Secvolt!