Minimizing State and Federal Estate Taxes
Without proper estate planning, your estate may be needlessly subjected to federal or state estate tax. Cushing & Dolan, P.C., was founded as a tax law firm, and we are recognized in the Boston area and beyond for sophisticated strategies to eliminate or reduce "death taxes."
|
YEAR |
MA Exemption |
Federal Estate Tax Exemption |
Federal Gift Tax Exemption |
|
2003 |
$700,000 |
$1 million |
$1 million |
|
2004 |
$850,000 |
$1.5 million |
$1 million |
|
2005 |
$950,000 |
$1.5 million |
$1 million |
|
2006 |
$1 million |
$2 million |
$1 million |
|
2007 |
$1 million |
$2 million |
$1 million |
|
2008 |
$1 million |
$2 million |
$1 million |
|
2009 |
$1 million |
$3.5 million |
$1 million |
|
2010 |
$1 million |
No Federal Estate Tax |
$1 million |
|
2011 |
$1 million |
$5 million |
$5 million |
|
2012 |
$1 million |
$5.12 million |
$5.12 million |
|
2013 |
$1 million |
$1 million |
$1 million |
Our attorneys provide comprehensive estate and tax planning services, with a particular focus on estate tax planning. We have solutions for estates of all sizes, from families whose total wealth may just trigger estate taxes to clients with multimillion-dollar estates who need advanced tax planning. Arrange a free consultation today.
Federal and Massachusetts Estate Tax System
Estate Taxes in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts estate tax is independent of the federal estate tax. Even if you or "your estate" are exempt from federal estate taxes, your estate could be subject to Massachusetts estate tax, which applies to estates valued at $1 million (without exclusions). While the federal government taxes only the amount over the threshold, Massachusetts taxes the entire estate if it exceeds the threshold even by a single dollar. The state tax rate starts at 2 percent, but increases to a maximum of 16 percent.
Boston Tax Attorneys Offering Sophisticated Solutions
It is not always possible to escape state or federal estate taxes entirely, but it is very possible, through planning, to substantially lower them. Our team of experienced tax attorneys employs various revocable and irrevocable trusts to defer taxes or reduce the taxable portion of estates. We also advise on IRA planning and other methods for reducing the estate tax burden on your beneficiaries.
