Article on Future of Federal Estate Tax

Kevin T. Keen recently published an Article entitled, The Only Thing Is Uncertainty: The Future of Estate Planning Without the Federal Estate Tax, 51 Real Prop. Tr. & Est. L.J. 129 (2016). Provided below is a synopsis of the Article:

Given the current political environment, the possibility of a federal estate tax repeal has seemingly become more likely. The effect of a possible near-term repeal of the federal estate tax creates further uncertainty in a field that is constantly evolving. This uncertainty is nothing new. However, taking into consideration the substantial and cascading changes of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, focusing on current proposed legislation to repeal the estate tax is important to present estate planning efforts. With the 2016 presidential election looming on the horizon, it is not unrealistic to foresee significant changes to the existing income and transfer tax regime ahead.

This Article discusses the current happenings with respect to the most recent efforts to repeal the federal estate tax, offers a glimpse into the possible consequences to the federal income and wealth transfer taxes as a result of such repeal, and explores what considerations may drive future estate planning should one of two circumstances involving a repeal of the estate tax materialize. It behooves the estate planner to consider these potential outcomes and leverage the uncertainty in planning. In any case, income tax considerations will continue to have an increasingly meaningful role in sophisticated estate planning, regardless of the uncertainty that lies ahead.