Much like getting an annual physical to ensure good health, it is critically important to do an annual check-up for your business. Whether a single-member LLC that merely owns real estate or a professional business, there are a few things that should be done each year to reduce liability, protect one’s personal assets, and to ensure the good health of your business. Have you held your annual meeting? Do you have an operating agreement – even if a single-member LLC? Has it been updated for changes in case law or statute to protect your personal assets and that of the business? As 2021 begins to wind down, now is the time to make sure your business is in good health.
Category: Law
Proposed Changes to Treatment Capital Gains After Death Seem Unlikely…BUT
President Biden, as part of The American Families Plan, proposed an overhaul of the treatment of capital assets after death. Under current law, all capital assets owned by a person when they die receive a “stepped-up” basis. This means that your beneficiaries would typically receive the capital assets from your estate with a higher tax-basis so, if they then turned around and sold those assets, there would be little or no capital gains tax due.
President Biden’s proposal would eliminate the automatic step-up in basis for estates with total unrealized capital gains in excess of $1 million. Instead, the unrealized capital gains would be subject to capital gains tax at a potential rate as high as 39.6% rate (also part of the proposal).
It is particularly noteworthy that the estates subject to this new capital gains tax at death may also be subject to the federal estate tax at its 40% tax rate. Further, the estates may also be subject to State estate tax if the estate is located in Maryland or DC.
At this point, it seems unlikely that Congress will pass The American Families Plan with these proposed changes to the capital gains tax law but the capital gain tax is increasingly becoming a target so these types of proposals should continue to be monitored.
As 2021 winds down, now is a good time to consult a tax attorney who can assist with your estate planning needs!