Exam 25: Transfer Taxes and Wealth Planning

A transfer of a terminable interest will not generally qualify for a marital deduction.

James and Jasmine live in a community property state. This year they transferred $800,000 of property to an irrevocable trust that provides their son, Aaron, a life estate and their daughter, Lauren, the remainder. At the time of the gift, the Table S value for Aaron was .18031. What is the amount, if any, of the taxable gifts?

At her death Siena owned real estate worth $200,000 that was titled with her sister in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. Siena contributed $50,000 to the total cost of the property and her sister contributed the remaining $75,000. What amount, if any, is included in Siena's gross estate?

The estate tax is imposed on testamentary transfers.

Proceeds of life insurance paid due to the death of the decedent are included in the decedent's gross estate if the decedent had the right to designate the beneficiary of the policy.

Both spouses must consent to any gift-splitting election.

Joshua and David purchased real property for $500,000 as equal tenants in common. Although they are listed as equal co-owners, Joshua was only able to provide $200,000 of the purchase price. David treated the additional $100,000 of his contribution to the purchase price as a gift to Joshua. If the property is worth $2.5 million at Joshua's death, what amount would be included in Joshua's estate?

Proceeds of life insurance paid to the decedent's estate due to the death of the decedent are included in the decedent's gross estate even if the decedent had no ownership rights in the policy at the time of death.

The generation-skipping tax is designed to accomplish which of the following?

This year Nicholas earned $500,000 and used it to purchase land in joint tenancy with a right of survivorship with Nevaeh. Has Nicholas made a taxable gift to Nevaeh and, if so, in what amount?

Chloe's gross estate consists of the following property valued at the date of death: Chloe's real estate is encumbered by a mortgage of $450,000, and Chloe's executor paid her funeral costs of $6,000 and charged fees for $24,000. Which of the following is a true statement?

When a gift-splitting election is made, gifts made by either spouse during the year will be treated as if each spouse made one-half of the transfer.

The probate estate consists of all property owned by the decedent that is excluded from the gross estate.

This year Nathan transferred $2 million to an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of his nephew. The trustee is directed to accumulate income for the next 5 years before distributing the trust corpus to Nathan's nephew. In past years Nathan has made taxable gifts of $6 million and used a unified credit on an exemption equivalent of $5 million. What amount of gift tax, if any, must Nathan remit?

Which of the following is a true statement?

Last year Brandon opened a savings account with a deposit of $45,000. The account was in the name of Brandon and Melanie, joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. Melanie did not contribute to the account, but this year she withdrew $18,000. Has Brandon made a taxable gift to Melanie, and if so, in what amount?

For the holidays, Samuel gave a necklace worth $35,000 to Jennifer and jewelry worth $44,000 to Savannah. Samuel is married to Wendy and they live in a community property state. Has Samuel made any taxable gifts and, if so, in what amounts?

A couple who is married at the time of completing a gift can elect to file a joint gift tax return.

The calculation of the value of a life estate in a trust generally does not depend upon which of the following factors?

Last year Diego transferred a life insurance policy worth $75,000 to an irrevocable trust with directions to distribute the corpus of the trust to his grandson, Juan, upon his graduation from college, or to Juan's estate upon his death. Diego paid $5,000 of gift tax on the transfer of the policy. Early this year, Diego died and the insurance company paid $600,000 to the trust. What amount, if any, is included in Diego's gross estate?