Proposed 2017 Tax Act Revealed – Death Tax Repeal Included

A summary of the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was released this morning (11/2/17) and reveals some major changes.  The federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax exclusions are increased from the current $5 million (indexed for inflation) to $10 million (also indexed) starting in 2018.  In 2024, these taxes are repealed.  The step-up in basis that a beneficiary receives when inheriting appreciated property, however, is retained.  The gift tax is retained but the exclusion amount is increased from $5 million (indexed for inflation) to $10 million (also indexed).  The top gift tax rate is decreased to 35%.