Preservation | Family Wealth Protection & Planning

The Internal Revenue Service has released the Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs) for February 2023. AFRs are published monthly and represent the minimum interest rates that should be charged for family loans to avoid tax complications.

The past few years have seen a period of historically low interest rates, but the Federal Reserve has made multiple increases to the federal funds rate that have resulted in interest rate increases across the board. This will affect estate and wealth-transfer strategies in 2023 and beyond, as “we will likely see a shift from strategies that are more effective in a low-interest rate environment, to planning ideas that may benefit from higher rates,” writes Greensfelder Officer Keith Grissom for Rethinking65.

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, signed into law by President Joe Biden on December 29, 2022, makes significant changes to the administration and taxation of retirement plans. It addresses many practical concerns that surfaced after the passage of the original SECURE Act in 2019 and during the pandemic. Some of the key changes are set out below.

The Internal Revenue Service has released the Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs) for January 2023. AFRs are published monthly and represent the minimum interest rates that should be charged for family loans to avoid tax complications.

The Internal Revenue Service has released the Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs) for December 2022. AFRs are published monthly and represent the minimum interest rates that should be charged for family loans to avoid tax complications.

Sometimes leaving an inheritance to a loved one who has a disability can do more harm than good. Many public benefits programs have asset limitations for beneficiaries to qualify to receive assistance. If a well-intentioned relative leaves funds to a beneficiary who has a disability without having the proper safeguards in place, the beneficiary may be required to pay penalties or become ineligible to receive public benefits. There are options available to provide for such beneficiaries without compromising their eligibility for public benefits.

The Internal Revenue Service has released the Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs) for November 2022. AFRs are published monthly and represent the minimum interest rates that should be charged for family loans to avoid tax complications.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson recently signed into law legislation that reduces the state's individual income tax rate.

The law, signed on Oct. 5, 2022, and effective for the 2023 calendar year, reduces the top individual income tax rate from 5.2 percent to 4.95 percent. It also eliminates the bottom income tax bracket, allowing Missourians to earn their first $1,000 tax-free. In addition, the law allows for an additional 0.15 percent top income tax rate reduction to 4.8 percent when Missouri’s net general revenues increase by $175 million and another 0.1 percent top income tax rate reduction in future years when net general revenue of the state increases by $200 million. If Missouri’s revenue increases as stated above and the corresponding rate reductions take effect, the new legislation will reduce the top income tax rate in Missouri to 4.5 percent.  

Many reconnect with their family during their vacations. Your family may own a home on the beach, in the mountains, or in the country where multiple generations gather each year. The home may have been in your family for generations, or it may be newly purchased. Regardless, the family vacation home is a unique asset that symbolizes important memories and family connections. For this reason, you should specifically address the vacation home in your estate plan to avoid hard feelings and even disputes.

The Internal Revenue Service has released the Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs) for October 2022. AFRs are published monthly and represent the minimum interest rates that should be charged for family loans to avoid tax complications.