CHAPTER 11     GST &
DYNASTY TRUSTS

Objectives of “Dynasty Trusts”:

1)  Preserve assets for multiple generations.

2)  Maintain family solidarity.

3)  Avoid the “rule against perpetuities.”

4)  Reduce transfer tax costs (reject the

assumption that a transfer tax liability is incurred at each generational level).

Multi-generational Transfer Example

Property transfer to (1) child for life, &

(2) remainder to grandchildren (or even younger generations, subject to the rule against perpetuities). 

Applicability of federal estate tax on the death of initial transferor (or gift tax) but no estate tax exposure upon the subsequent death of  the child (i.e., the next, intermediate generation).  Why?

Non-Transfer Tax Structuring Matters

Flexibility for future generations.

Trustee discretion re distributions (i.e., no general P/A to any beneficiary).

Advice provided to the trustees through an advisory committee of family members and advisors (or a private trust company).

Protection from creditors of the beneficiaries (including former spouses seeking assets).

Use a “trust protector” to change the trustee if necessary in future. Who is the “protector”?

Imposition of Generation Skipping Transfer Tax

GSTT is imposed (as a substitute for estate or gift tax) on a GST - §2611:

1)  Taxable distribution

2)  Taxable termination

3)  Direct skip

This question concerns the “timing,” i.e., completion, for GST tax imposition.

Note:  No limit on generations skipped! (Note: 2005 JCT Options paper)

What Planning During 2010/now for 2012?      p.4

1)  GSTT was repealed  during 2010 (until December 17, 2010)

2)  Restored in 2011 (with $5 million exemption level).  Could create a GST trust during 2012 and fund (at least) to extent of the then $5 million GST exclusion amount? Also, a gift tax event (but exclusion?).  Outright transfer to GC?  Purchase an annuity for the GC?

3) After 2012? 2013 legislation - $5 mil. exclusion

4) Obama proposal:  90 year limit.  P.5.  Cf., previously “grandfathered” dynasty trusts.

“Direct Skip” Identified
Code §2612(c)(1)          p.6

A transfer subject to Ch. 11 or 12 tax made to a “skip person.”  Examples (where the GST is also applicable):  

•                          Gift directly to GC

•                          Bequest to GC

•                          Gift/bequest in trust for GC

See PLR 200215001, p. 7 (slide 9) re transfers from revocable trust to GC trusts at death of the grantor.  Direct skips.

“Taxable Termination” Code §2612(a)(1)          p.6

Termination by death or lapse of time of an interest held in trust by intermediate generation member (and property goes to lower generation). 

Example:  Trust from Parent to Child for life, remainder to GC;  Child dies, GC then receives the remainder outright. 

The GST transfer occurs as of the death of the Child.

 

“Taxable Distribution” Code §2612(b)              p.7

Distribution from a trust to a skip person when the trust status is continued.

Example:  Trust created by Parent (1) for Child for life, remainder to GC, and (2) discretion to make income or corpus distributions to Child and GC.  Trustee does make a discretionary trust distribution (income or corpus) to GC while Child is alive.

PLR 200215001
p.7

Separate trusts created for each living grandchild – to continue until grandchild is then 45 and then terminate. Discretionary income and corpus distribution in the interim.

When pay tax:  (1) when funded or (2) when distributions occur, since beneficiary may die before trust termination?

All interests are held by skip persons.

Alternative:  Transfer to 1st generation which then transfers to second.

 

 

Defining “Skip Persons”
Code §2613                  p.9

Skip person as: (1) individual two or more generations below transferor, or

(2) a trust with all the beneficial interests held by skip persons.

Move-up rule for the orphaned CG – Code §2651(e).  See PLR 199907015, p.10.

Similar rule for “collaterals.”   p. 11.

Generation assignment when not lineal descendants - §2651(d). PLR 9105006, p. 12.

Exemption and Exclusions
p.15

GST Exemption - $5.0 million in 2011/2? 

No GST in 2010;  How much in 2013?

Exclusions: 

1) Annual donee exclusions – only for “direct skips” – §2642(c)(3)(A);  including trusts with a “sole skip beneficiary.”   See PLR 200114026, p. 16.

2)  Medical and tuition exclusion - §2611(b)(1) & §2642(c)(3)(B)

Reverse QTIP GST Election                      p.19

Code §2652(a)(3) – election to treat property in trust as if a QTIP election was not made.   PLR 20054007, p. 20.

Objective:  decedent (first spouse to die) remains the transferor of the QTIP trust for GST purposes.  The GST exemption is then allocated to the QTIP trust.

GST Tax Computation
p.24

Tax base varies, dependent upon the type of property transfer:

GST tax base for a taxable termination includes the property subject to the termination. §2622.  Cf., estate tax.

Direct skip – amount received is the amount subject to tax -  §2623.  Cf., gift tax (re non-inclusionary transfer).

GST Exemption Allocation – Inclusion Ratio         p.26

§2631(a) & §2632 re allocation of GST exemption.

What is the purpose of the “inclusion ratio” (or exclusion ratio)?   I.e., to get an exclusion for current transfer, with post transfer appreciation attributable to excluded portion protected at time of the future GST transfer.

PLR 200608004, p.26, re allocation of exemption when making lifetime gifts.

Income Tax Deduction for GST Tax                     p.30

Code §164(a)(4) provides for an income tax deduction for GST tax imposed on income distributions.

Announcement 91-43

Obtaining a GST Private Letter Ruling            p.31

Possible to obtain a “prospective ruling” re GST?

Most requests re “grandfathered status.”