Understanding Estate Tax “Portability” Protocol for Your Utah Estate

Just when is the [amount of a deceased spouse’s portable exclusion] available to a surviving spouse or the estate of a surviving spouse for use in determining the surviving spouse’s applicable exclusion amount?

The devil truly is in the details when it comes to much of life. So it is with taxes and tax planning. This is especially the case with new changes to the federal estate tax laws. It seems experts and taxpayers alike are grappling with the ins and outs of “portability.” How and when can it be used?

As many know, “portability” refers to the new ability of a deceased spouse to pass along their unused unified exemption amount (the amount in a lifetime that you can either transfer without gift tax or can pass through your estate without estate tax) to their surviving spouse without implementing traditional estate tax planning techniques.

The temporary regulations governing portability are now on the books. While there is some guidance regarding how a “Deceased Spouse Unused Exemption” (DSUE) actually works, a recent Forbes article, titled “Estate Tax Portability – Date DSUE Amount May Be Taken Into Account,” provides some practical advice.

The question many surviving spouses might face is when to make use of the exemption. What if they have a gifting strategy, especially if there is little time to spare? Does the DSUE pass immediately or does the estate tax return have to be filed?

As a rule of thumb, the DSUE passes immediately. In turn, this can buy some time given how long it could take to file an estate tax return. As with all tax matters, be sure to consult with your professional advisors before making a move you cannot undo later.

Reference: Forbes (January 14, 2014) “Estate Tax Portability – Date DSUE Amount May Be Taken Into Account”