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The End of Step-up Basis?

Posted By rmohiolaw.com
June 10, 2021 Category: Tax, Step Up Basis, Upcoming Changes Of Law, Grantor Trust, Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust

The Possible Loss of Step-up Basis   A step-up in basis, or more accurately, a basis adjustment, has been a cornerstone of many estate plans throughout the years. Let’s take a look at what a basis adjustment is, how a step-up in basis works, and some recent news about its possible demise. The basis of property is a tax term and it is the amount that someone paid for it. If that property is later sold, capital gains or losses must be reported. This would be an amount taxed on the difference of the original basis amount and the amount of the sales price. However, a basis adjustment occurs when the property is inherited. Meaning, the beneficiary of that property receives it with a basis of its current fair market value instead of its original purchase price. Let’s look at an example. Nancy bought stock in XYZ Corp. in 1970. She paid $100,000 for it. It is now worth $500,000. If she sold it this year, she would have to pay capital gains tax on the $400,000 profit. Instead, if Nancy died this year and her son inherited the property, he would take the property with a basis of $500,000. He received a step-up in basis. Nancy’s son could then sell the property at its fair market value of $500,000 with no capital gains tax due. A basis adjustment can even be preserved in irrevocable trust planning. In our intentionally defective grantor trust, a basis adjustment is achieved via reserving a limited power of appointment. Per Treasury Regulation