The examples below are simple illustrations to highlight the potential changes. Many factors can and will affect individual outcomes. 

What is Cost Basis?

The cost basis is the price paid when you originally purchase an asset. Currently, if you inherit an asset, your cost basis is the market value of the asset on the date of death. 

Who would be affected by this change? 

Under the current proposal, the elimination of stepped-up cost basis would apply only to those making $1 million+ annually, $2 million+ if married filing jointly. The definition of what constitutes earned income for this provision has not been established. 

Another important note, even if heirs decide to keep an inheritance and not sell the assets, any gains from the original owner's cost basis are taxable upon inheritance. 

What are Capital Gains?

Capital gains are the taxes you pay when you sell an asset (i.e. investments). This is separate from your earned income and is currently taxed at a lower rate. Depending on your income level, your capital gains rate may be 0%, 15%, or 20%. An asset can be property, such as real estate and collectibles, and also investments, such as stocks and bonds.

Who would be affected by this change?    

Under the current proposal, individuals with $1 million or more in income annually or married couples with $2 million or more combined would be subject to the increased capital gains rate of 39.6%. Additionally, the Medicare surtax of 3.8% would increase the total rate to 43.4%.

What is Gift Tax?

If you give a gift of property, such as stock, you are generally limited to giving $15,000 per individual per year (adjusted for inflation). Your lifetime federal gift limit total is $11.7 million, after which any additional gifts are taxable at 40%. State tax rates will vary. The gift tax is paid by the donor, not the recipient of the gift. 

What is Estate Tax?

When an individual dies, the fair market value of their assets constitute their estate. Estates with significant value can be subject to a tax if unable to exclude the entire value. 

Who would be affected by this changes?

Those with assets over $3.5 million would potentially see an increase in taxes under the new proposal. The new proposal reduces the annual gift limit from $15,000 down to $10,000, reduces lifetime gift limits to $1 million; estates pass to heirs tax free up to $3.5 million. Amounts over these limits would be taxable at 45%.  

What are the current Income Tax Rates?

Who would be affected by this change? 

The current proposal would increase the highest bracket for those earning $400,000 or more annually to 39.6%. Although the current proposal only affects the highest bracket, it would be prudent to consider the impact if all brackets were affected. 

Your Future

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