Our regularly updated blog discusses a variety of issues related to business, tax, and estate planning in California. Learn why an estate plan is necessary regardless of age or income, what steps you can take to reduce your tax liability and protect your assets, how to ensure your business remains on a solid legal foundation, and much more.
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Estate Planning Tips for Those Under Coronavirus QuarantineThe coronavirus quarantine began in the California counties of Sacramento, Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Ventura, issuing unprecedented orders for all residents to remain in their homes except for certain essential activities. Then Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded the order to all residents in the state. Many other states, including Illinois,...
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The Coronavirus: a Unique Planning OpportunityThe Corona Virus is causing major economic impacts as can be seen with the declining stock market. This adverse impact and the uncertain prospects for the future is a source of concern and worry for us all. However, the hopeful temporary reductions in value, low interest rates, and an $11,500,000...
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Still Wondering Why You Need to Review an Estate Plan?An estate plan is the guide to how you want your personal and financial affairs to be handled, in the event of your incapacity or death. As life changes, your guide changes with it.
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Impact of Tax Reform on Small BusinessesNow that it’s tax season, you may be concerned how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted in December 2017, will impact your small business. The reforms represent the most sweeping tax overhaul in 30 years and could have a positive impact on your business’s bottom line—but they may have left you feeling a little confused. Here are some of the most important changes.
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What You Need to Know about IRS Form 1099: Reporting and RequirementsIf your business made or received payments to independent contractors and entities (other than compensation to your employees) during the calendar year, it’s likely you must file an information return called a Form 1099 with the IRS. You may also need to send a copy of the form directly to...
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When Estate Planning Takes Place in a CrisisMany of us have experienced the unexpected "telephone call" from a hospital or loved one that a sudden negative medical event has occurred, involving a member of your family.
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Is Your Estate Plan Truly Complete?For an estate plan to be truly effective and do more than simply move money and assets from one generation to the next, it must accomplish three basic goals: 1) ensure that you are actually leaving your assets to those you designate; 2) make certain those assets are received at...
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How to Protect Your Legacy After You're GoneMany estate planners believe that their job is done when the beneficiaries avoid probate and receive the inheritance. However, when beneficiaries receive their inheritance in their name outright that needlessly exposes the legacy you leave to the claims of creditors, lawsuits, divorce, the loss of governmental benefits they might otherwise...
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Is Your Company Ready for the New Partnership Tax Audit Rules? Unless You Take Action, You May Face Some Unpleasant Tax Consequences!Partnerships are one of the most commonly used business and estate planning tools, and they come in a variety of wrappers or names, such as traditional partnerships, multi-member LLCs, joint ventures, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships. So, it’s significant that starting this year, the way they are audited and...
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An Income Tax Time BombBypass trusts, or B trusts, have long been used as a strategy to help families avoid estate taxes. But with recent changes in income tax and estate tax rates, in many cases B trusts now trigger substantially higher capital gains taxes for beneficiaries or heirs without providing any estate tax...
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The Hybrid Bridge TrustA fully funded foreign or off-shore protection trust provides very significant asset protection particularly for assets such as cash investments, stocks and other intangibles. However, an off- shore protection trust is more expensive to form and to manage or operate. Additional income tax filings are also required. The Hybrid Bridge...
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In The News: Estate and Income Tax ChangesThe total estate tax exemption is projected to increase to $5.6 Million dollars per person in 2018. This is up from $5.49 Million per person in 2017. The annual exclusion for gift tax exclusion is projected to increase to $15,000 in 2018. That is an increase from $14,000 in 2017....