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Date
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Recording
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| 2/22/2012 |
Lyle Benson, Ted Sarenski and Scott Sprinkle on Proactive Planning with Your Clients during Tax Season
In this audio stream, Lyle, Ted and Scott discuss why 2012 is a critical year to proactively plan with your clients. Hear about planning techniques that need to be considered now given the many unknowns in 2013. Learn about planning opportunities that can be uncovered while you’re preparing your clients 2011 tax returns. Find out tips to communicate the value of financial planning with clients, and how you can get paid for the work you are providing and increase your bottom line by adding or expanding PFP services. |
| 2/10/2012 |
Bob Keebler on Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Proposals Potential Impact to Planning
In this audio stream, Bob Keebler covers various budget provisions, including those affecting intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), valuation discounts, and grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs). Even though these provisions may not be enacted this year, it will help you have intelligent conversations with your clients, know what the President’s legislative agenda for this year is, and be prepared for some of the estate tax provisions that may eventually be enacted. |
| 1/3/2012 |
Michael Kitces on Cost Basis Reporting Rules
In this audio stream, Michael Kitces covers the new cost basis reporting rules enacted under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
Note that the new tracking rules will require any financial intermediaries (i.e., generally all brokers and custodians, as well as certain other types of financial institutions) that currently issue Form 1099-B to report using an updated version, which tracks not only the gross proceeds from sales of securities, but the cost basis, acquisition date, amount of gain/loss, and character of the gain/loss (i.e., short-term or longterm). Actual reporting on cost basis will be phased in over time, with equities in 2011, mutual funds and dividend reinvestment plans in 2012, and bonds and other securities in 2013.
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| 12/9/2011 |
Bob Keebler on Portability Considerations
In this audio stream, Bob Keebler covers filing federal estate tax returns in 2011 and 2012, particularly when executors wish to make a portability election to transfer a decedent’s unused $5 million estate and gift tax exclusion. A few key considerations:
- Note that you have to file Form 706 to utilize portability (relief may be available if you have missed a 2011 filing)
- The portable amount does not grow for inflation – it’s frozen in time
- Portability will disappear on January 1, 2013 unless extended by Congress
- Portability only applies for estate and gift - not GST
Portability does not help with creditor protection or re-marriage
If you have clients dealing with deaths in 2011 or 2012, it is very important to alert them to the portability issues. To protect yourself, if your client chooses not to file a return to elect portability, you should have your client put this decision in writing. |
| 12/9/2011 |
Bob Keebler on Refining the Roth Strategy
In this audio stream, Bob Keebler covers the new thinking as it relates to Roth planning given market volatility. Key considerations include:
- Opportunistic conversions (ie. optimizing Roth segregation strategies, which focus on the volatility of the stock market)
- Hedging against increased tax rates
- Tactical planning (ie. net operating losses)
- The annual Roth conversion strategy
Important to note is that conversions to Roth 401(k)s cannot be recharacterized. |
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9/13/2011
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Bob Keebler on Recent Estate Tax Developments
The final Form 706 and instructions were issued last week by the IRS for decedents who died in 2010. For most people who died in 2010, the form and estate tax payment are due September 19th. The AICPA requested a 90-day postponement of the due date, and yesterday the IRS announced filing and penalty relief for 2010 estates. In light of recent estate tax developments, listen to Bob Keebler’s thoughts on critical issues to think through for 2010 and 2011 estate planning and filings. |
| 8/12/2011 |
Lyle Benson, Michael Goodman, and Scott Sprinkle on Helping Clients Cope with Market Volatility
Again, we find ourselves in turbulent market times. With the recent events around the debt ceiling provisions, downgrade of the U.S. debt and subsequent market volatility, now is an opportune time to contact your clients to help them through these uncertain times. This audio stream contains expert commentary on how they are putting the market volatility in perspective for their clients.
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| 8/12/2011 |
Bob Keebler on the New Estate Planning Guidance for Decedents Passing in 2010
Notice 2011-66 provides guidance for executors of estates of decedents who died in 2010 regarding the time and manner of choosing to opt out of the estate tax have the carryover basis rules apply. Revenue Procedure 2011-41 provides safe harbor guidance regarding property acquired from estates of decedents who died in 2010. This audio stream provides an overview of the guidance and strategies to assist advisers and clients in making decisions.
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| 8/5/2011 |
Bob Keebler and Michael Goodman on Debt Ceiling Fallout
Have your clients been asking you tough questions about the current U.S. fiscal situation in this time of uncertainty? Should I change my asset allocation? Should I put money in gold? Should I get out of the stock market as a whole? This audio stream provides an overview of where the U.S. is right now from a market, economic and fiscal standpoint and also suggests various tax-motivated strategies that you might want to pursue with your clients. Note that this was recorded prior to Standard & Poor’s lowering of the US credit rating for the first time in history.
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