Top 10 Things to Know About Estate Taxation & Planning 2025-26

Overview

Estate planning remains a vital component of personal and business tax strategy, even for families that may never incur estate tax. With the exemption equivalent to nearly $14 million in 2025 and scheduled to rise to $15 million in 2026, fewer estates will face federal estate tax; yet, planning remains essential. This course highlights the top issues practitioners need to understand, including portability, annual and lifetime exclusions, charitable and retirement plan considerations, valuation, trusts, and basis step-up rules. Through real-world examples, you’ll gain practical guidance on helping clients preserve wealth, coordinate beneficiary designations, and create meaningful legacies. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy—it affects all clients.

Highlights

• The Numbers: Exemptions, exclusions and discounts
• Portability and step-up in basis
• Asset valuation
• Deductions: Marital, charitable, transmission and administration
• Retirement plan assets, annuities and life insurance
• Trust funding and administration

Prerequisites

General knowledge of individual income tax planning and issues.

Objectives

• Identify latest developments in estate planning
• Determine appropriate strategies and beneficiary designations to maximize after-tax assets
• Recognize issues that require updates to an existing plan, and traps for the unwary

Preparation

None