The clock is ticking to make strategic changes before the end of 2012.
Fidelity Viewpoints
– 01/13/2012
Couples with estate planning needs only have a one-year window of opportunity to make changes or adjustments to their estate plans before federal estate tax exemption levels change and tax hikes set in on January 1, 2013.
For 2012, the current law provides a generous $5,120,000 per person federal estate tax exemption and taxes estates over that amount at a top rate of 35%. This compares with a $1 million per person federal estate tax exemption and a 55% effective top tax rate scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2013.
Perhaps even more important for some married couples, the current law contains a portability provision. During 2012, if one spouse dies without using up his or her federal estate tax exemption, the unused portion may be transferred to the surviving spouse if elected by the executor of the estate of the first-to-die spouse.
To read more click here Estate Tax Changes for Couples, cont.