Planning to Minimize the Risks and Maximize the Rewards of the Estate Portability Election

Posted: 3 Mar 2014

See all articles by William Duncan

William Duncan

Arizona State University

John Everett

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - Department of Accounting

William A. Raabe

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater - College of Business and Economics

Date Written: February 25, 2014

Abstract

Estate tax planning has been substantially changed with the enactment of the carryover of unused estate tax exclusion amounts from the first spouse to die to the estate of the second spouse. Termed portability, the availability of the deceased spouse’s unused exclusion amount (DSUEA) largely eliminates the need for a series of lifetime asset transfers to balance estates and maximize the use of the exclusions. It also opens an opportunity for a double basis increase adjustment, one when the first spouse dies and a second when the surviving spouse dies. Where the DSUEA is sufficient to offset the additional inclusion from estate taxation in whole or in part, there may be an advantage to using the marital deduction to avoid inclusion in the tax base until the second demise. We explore the combination of estate asset values, appreciation expectations, and appropriate properties within the context of planning with the portability election, as well as the risk variables associated with such planning strategies.

Suggested Citation

Duncan, William and Everett, John and Raabe, William A., Planning to Minimize the Risks and Maximize the Rewards of the Estate Portability Election (February 25, 2014). 2014 JLTR Conference, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2401155

William Duncan (Contact Author)

Arizona State University ( email )

P.O. Box 37100
Phoenix, AZ 85069
United States
602-543-6112 (Phone)

John Everett

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - Department of Accounting ( email )

Richmond, VA 23284
United States

William A. Raabe

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater - College of Business and Economics ( email )

Whitewater, WI 53190
United States

HOME PAGE: http://billraabetax.com

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