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Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced in House and Senate

Posted by Chris Peterson | Apr 29, 2015 | 0 Comments

Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced in House and Senate

death tax repeal act 2015Identical 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 Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Laws

Currently, the exemptions from federal estate taxes, lifetime gift taxes, and GST taxes are indexed for inflation annually.  In 2015, the exemption amount 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 for the foreseeable future (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.

We Can Help You with Your Estate Planning

If you believe that your estate may be subject to estate taxes, it is very important that you make an estate plan that minimizes or eliminates this death tax. Call a Kingwood estate planning lawyer today at Peterson Law Group:  281-609-0664 or 832-786-5062.

About the Author

Chris Peterson

Chris Peterson is the owner of Peterson Law Group. He practices primarily in the areas of wills, trusts and estate planning; probate and trust administration; elder law; and business law. Chris is also the owner of Brazos 1031 Exchange Company.

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