Estate Gift and Trust - Review of Current Legislation, Court Cases and IRS Guidance

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Estate, gift, and trust planning continues to evolve as Congress, the Treasury Department, and the courts introduce legislative changes, regulatory guidance, and judicial interpretations that directly impact client strategies. Staying current is critical for professionals advising individuals, families, and fiduciaries—particularly as exemption amounts, planning tools, and enforcement priorities remain subject to rapid change.

In this timely course, Michael Miranda provides a comprehensive review of the most recent developments affecting estate, gift, and trust taxation. Participants will explore current federal exemption and exclusion amounts, compare federal and state transfer tax thresholds, and examine how recent legislation and IRS guidance influence planning decisions. The program also highlights significant court cases shaping estate planning outcomes, offering practical insight into risk management and compliance.

Designed for professionals who want to proactively update and refine client plans, this course connects legislative and judicial developments with practical planning techniques. Attendees will leave with the tools needed to reassess existing strategies, identify planning opportunities, and confidently navigate today’s complex estate and gift tax landscape.

Who Should Attend
This course is designed for professionals who need to stay current on estate, gift, and trust planning developments and apply them effectively in client engagements.

Topics Covered

• Recent federal legislation affecting estate, gift, and trust taxation
• Current exemption, exclusion, and tax rate considerations
• IRS guidance, including regulations, revenue rulings, and administrative updates
• Analysis of significant recent estate and trust court cases
• Planning implications arising from legislative and judicial developments
• Revisiting advanced estate planning tools such as spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs)
• Intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) and related planning strategies
• Portability elections and their strategic use in estate plans

Learning Objectives

• Compare current federal estate and gift tax exemption and exclusion amounts with applicable state estate and inheritance tax thresholds
• Apply recent legislative and regulatory guidance issued by the Treasury Department and the IRS to estate and gift planning scenarios
• Interpret IRS guidance, including private letter rulings and chief counsel memoranda, to evaluate potential planning benefits and risks
• Analyze significant recent court decisions and assess their impact on estate, trust, and gift planning strategies
• Develop compliant, effective estate, trust, and gift planning recommendations in light of current legal authority

Level
Intermediate

Instructional Method
Group: Internet-based

NASBA Field of Study
Taxes (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
General understanding of estate, trust and gift tax matters

Advance Preparation
None