The federal estate tax continues to play a pivotal role in wealth transfer planning, and today’s historically high exemption—often referred to as the ‘Big Beautiful Exemption’—creates both unprecedented planning opportunities and meaningful future risk.
This engaging course examines how the estate tax evolved, why exemption levels have changed so dramatically over time, and what those changes mean for advisors working with high-net-worth individuals and families. Participants will explore the historical foundations of the estate tax, major legislative milestones that reshaped exemption amounts and rates, and the practical planning shifts driven by today’s elevated exemption.
The course also addresses looming sunset provisions and legislative uncertainty, equipping professionals with strategies to help clients act decisively while current law remains favorable. By blending history, policy, and actionable planning insight, this course empowers practitioners to confidently guide clients through today’s uncertain estate tax landscape.
Per the IRS Education Provider Standards this course must be COMPLETED by 12/31/2029 to receive credits. NOTE: Go to My Professional Profile in your CCH CPELink account settings to ensure your name, and PTIN number; matches your PTIN card
Publication Date: July 2026
Designed For
This course is designed for professionals who advise clients on estate, wealth transfer, and long-term tax planning and want to better anticipate the impact of legislative change.
Topics Covered
- Origins and early objectives of the federal estate tax
- Key legislative reforms affecting exemption levels and tax rates
- Political and economic forces shaping estate tax policy
- Current estate tax exemption amounts and practical planning implications
- Forward-looking strategies in anticipation of potential exemption sunset provisions
Learning Objectives
- Identify the original purpose and historical development of the federal estate tax
- Differentiate key legislative changes that impacted estate tax exemption levels and tax rates
- Evaluate how increased estate tax exemption amounts have altered planning strategies for clients
- Apply current federal estate tax exemption rules to common estate planning scenarios
- Develop planning approaches that address potential exemption sunsets and future legislative changes
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Taxes (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
Instructor
Klaralee R. Charlton
Klaralee Charlton is a Partner at 3i Law in Denver, Colorado. She practices fiduciary tax, estate administration, and business transactional law. As part of her practice, she guides clients through the process of administering a loved one’s estate including the collection, valuation, management and transfer of assets including financial accounts, real estate, and business interests with a focus on minimizing estate and income tax liability. Klaralee also works closely with trustees of ongoing trusts to ensure compliance and prepares clients’ fiduciary income tax returns annually.
Klaralee has written and lectured on topics including estate and gift tax, fiduciary income tax reporting and U.S. regulations governing the valuation of small family businesses. She is an active member of the Colorado Bar Association, Tax Section and Adjunct Profession at the University of Denver, Graduate Tax Program.
She earned her J.D. in 2011 from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, her LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Denver in 2013, and her B.A. in political science in 2009 from Bryn Mawr College. She is admitted to practice in both Colorado and Montana.