Does one have to pay taxes if they receive an inheritance, as per an estate planning lawyer?

Beneficiaries may be subject to inheritance taxes; most jurisdictions categorize and assess beneficiaries based on their relationship and familial connection, whether unrelated or have a direct or lineal relationship to the deceased, before determining inheritance tax exemptions and rates on those categories. States have different inheritance taxes. Most states only tax inheritances that exceed a specified threshold. After that, they demand a percentage of this amount, which could be flat or progressive. Then how does one have to pay taxes if they receive an inheritance? 

Estate planning lawyer’s suggestions when receiving an Inheritance  

An estate planning lawyer’s prime goal is to make sure that your estate and your assets are protected from probate and taxes, including inheritance tax; saving the fortune that you have saved for your beneficiary from getting consumed on inheritance tax should also be included in your estate plan, and a well-qualified estate planning lawyer will understand the gravity of this serious matter, The following are some of the suggestions that an estate planning attorney may make to assist you in avoiding inheritance tax-

1. Getting a will drafted when receiving an inheritance-

The first thing any estate planning attorney will suggest is to draft a will; drafting a will is a crucial step in estate planning because it allows you to ensure that your assets are transferred according to your intentions. If you don’t have a will, the intestacy laws will determine how your assets are dispersed, and you can be subject to an inheritance tax (IHT) that you could have avoided.

Getting a will drafted by an estate planning lawyer is necessary if you are concerned about who will inherit your possessions. Suppose you want to lower your Inheritance tax cost potentially. However, the will must be probated until you make arrangements for the inheritance of assets using methods that do not require probate. The property transfer will therefore necessitate the involvement of the judicial process unless your house estimated value is under the threshold. You can also designate who will inherit your property through a will.

Also, estate planning lawyers encourage their clients to let their spouses receive all their assets. Through this, they will avoid estate and inheritance taxes because spouses are not charged with taxes when they receive a deceased partner’s property or assets.

2. Getting trust to pay taxes-

Getting a trust is another method an estate planning lawyer may suggest. This is because if you put your house in a trust, it won’t regard as yours when you pass away. Your beneficiary won’t have to pay inheritance tax. When a person’s children become 18, they can acquire the house directly from the trustee without paying inheritance tax if they place it in a trust for their benefit.

You can also place the ownership of your house in an “interest in possession trust”; by doing so, you can continue to receive income from home by renting while avoiding inheritance tax and only have to pay the income tax for the rent until you pass away.

3. Make a life insurance purchase to lower your inheritance taxes to pay

If you cannot lower your inheritance tax payment, the estate planning attorney may recommend you get insurance. One of the simplest methods to pay unexpected compensation is through life insurance. As long as the insurance policy has been set up as a trust. The payoff won’t be viewed as a possession of yours.

The death benefit payment made under a life insurance policy will not be under the tax. Instead, your beneficiaries will use these funds to cover estate or inheritance taxes. You won’t have to pay these taxes out of your residence. Even the assets of the person who inherits them make them easier to bear. However, they aren’t eliminated.

4. Gifts-

Your estate planning attorney may suggest you transfer your house as a gift. When you are alive and healthy is one of the best strategies to minimize inheritance taxes. Your estate might be smaller and may not exceed the amount tariffs would trigger if you give away your house and assets while you are still living.

Over a year, you have been permitted to distribute up to $16,000. You can give it to as many recipients as possible without paying taxes. Each individual and beneficiary can receive $16,000. Therefore, if you have a partner, you can give away $32,000 to individuals without requiring them to disclose. 

Conclusion 

A person does have to pay inheritance tax according to their relationship with the owner. But inheritance tax can avoid with the help of an estate planning attorney and the policies they suggest to you.