Quinn DeAngelis, P.C.
Kierland Business Center
15849 N. 71st Street, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
Telephone: 480.281.1512
qdeangelis@azdox.com
www.azdox.com

 

ESTATE PLANNING UPDATE

December, 2008

A new law enacted in late 2008 provides that retirement plan account participants, IRA owners, and their beneficiaries do not have to take RMDs for 2009. (Code Sec. 401(a)(9)(H)) Thus, taxpayers who can take advantage of this change won’t be forced to sell stock or mutual fund shares held in retirement accounts when their value is exceptionally depressed.

The applicable exclusion amount (the amount excluded from estate tax by the unified credit) increased from $2 million to $3.5 million for estates of decedents dying in 2009. (Code Sec. 2010(c)) The top rate remains at 45%. Barring further Congressional action, the estate tax is repealed for 2010 deaths, only to be reinstated for deaths occurring in 2011 and later with a $1 million exemption and a top rate of 55%.