Frequently referred to as the Florida probate tax, the estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property upon your death. It consists of an accounting of everything you own or have certain interests in as of the date of death. Calculate the taxable value of the estate The fair market value of these items at the time of death is used. It is not what you paid for them or what their values were when you acquired them. The total of all of these items is your “Gross Estate.” The includible property may consist of cash and securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and other assets. This is the value of the taxable estate. The federal estate tax exemption in 2023 is $12,920,000 and fluctuates annually. A failure to pay this tax may lead to charges of tax evasion or fraud. As a result, it is essential to understand the role of estate taxes in Stuart probate cases. This knowledge may help family members gain an understanding of their expected inheritance as well as assist personal representatives in fulfilling their legal obligations. To learn more, reach out to an experienced probate lawyer. The Florida Probate Tax Since there is no Florida probate tax, federal estate taxes are typically the only estate taxes that a decedent’s estate will have to pay if the decedent was a Florida resident, the decedent did not own property in a state (or country) that does impose an estate tax, and the size of the estate falls within the federal estate tax exemption. According to the IRS, estates can claim up to an $12,920,000 exemption for the value of the decedent’s estate and any taxable lifetime gifts, for decedents dying in 2023. If the estate involves a married couple, that value can double to $25,840,000 if a timely portability election is filed following the death of the first spouse. This value is tied to inflation and is expected to increase through 2025, after which the estate tax exemption amount is set to decrease substantially (the exact number will be tied to inflation and is therefore not determined, but it is expected to be approximately $6,500,000 – $7,000,000 per person). It is the responsibility of the estate’s personal representative to pay any estate tax liability during the administration of the probate estate. As a result, the matter of estate taxes in Stuart probate cases is an essential one. The Role of Estate Tax in Stuart Probate The probate process follows a strict timeline. Once a court opens an estate for probate and certifies a personal representative, also known as an executor, to act, that person has a legal requirement to perform duties required by law, e.g. satisfying valid creditor claims, and to ultimately distribute the estate according to the decedent’s will, if any, otherwise according to state statute. Although there is no Florida probate tax, an important part of settling an estate is covering all tax requirements and debts. Because federal estate tax is only applicable if an estate exceeds a certain value, a prime duty of a personal representative is to measure the value of the estate. This involves placing a fair market value on personal property, real estate, businesses, stocks, bonds or other financial instruments, and cash in bank accounts. If the value of an estate exceeds a pre-set amount (typically $12,920,000 in 2023), that personal representative is then also required to make any outstanding estate tax payments out of the assets of the estate. Federal law requires the estate tax return Form 706, along with any payment owed, to be filed within nine months of the date of death, although an automatic 6-month extension is available if requested. This timeline can create pressure for the personal representative of an estate to quickly open the probate estate, to make a timely and accurate accounting of the estate’s value, and to arrange for any necessary liquidation of the estate’s assets if necessary to pay an outstanding estate tax liability. A failure to make an outstanding estate tax payment could lead to a personal representative facing a civil contempt order from the court or even federal charges of tax evasion. Because of the potential consequences of ignoring fiduciary duties, speaking to a lawyer with knowledge of estate tax in Stuart probate cases may prove helpful. Law Offices of John Mangan, P.A. Palm City – Stuart, FL Do you question the need for attorney guidance with so many online resources? Because laws and regulations are complex, and because every person has a lot at risk, more people than ever are seeking professional guidance from an experienced, knowledgeable source. That helps explain the rapid growth of our firm. Whether you happened upon this website by accident or are one of the many referrals we receive from a nearly 15-year collection of satisfied clients, our staff can provide customized estate planning guidance for you. Call us. Our number: 1 (772) 218-0480 More
