For the estate of a decedent dying after December 31, 2010 who is survived by a spouse, a portability election is available that allows the surviving spouse to apply the decedent’s unused estate tax exclusion to the surviving spouse. The deceased spousal unused exclusion (or “DSUE”) can only be applied to the surviving spouse by filing an estate tax return, Form 706, for the deceased spouse.
The Form
706 must be timely filed (including extensions). A
portability election is made by filing an estate tax return and does not
require an affirmative statement or box to check.
The surviving
spouse’s basic exclusion amount, currently at $5 million, is combined with the deceased
spouse’s unused exclusion amount (DSUEA).
The new total exclusion amount for the surviving spouse can be used for lifetime
taxable transfers (gifts) or at death.
Please note that if a surviving spouse remarries, the DSUEA from the
first spouse is lost.
Below is
an example to understand the topic better.
After a
prosperous life, Angelina dies in 2011. Angelina
has made lifetime gifts of $2 million and has no taxable estate. The executor of Angelina's estate files Form
706 and elects to apply Angelina's deceased spousal unused exclusion amount
(DSUEA) to Brad (the surviving spouse). Brad
has made no taxable lifetime gifts. Brad's
new applicable exclusion amount is $8 million ($5 million basic exclusion amount
plus $3 million from Angelina's unused exclusion amount) which he can use
against lifetime gifts in memory of his late wife or for transfers at his
death.
There are
many factors to consider before considering the portability election, including
the traditional credit shelter trust and the unlimited marital deduction. Please discuss your estate plan with your tax
preparer, keeping in mind that the current law is in effect through the end of
2012.
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Melissa Hansen is a Certified Public
Accountant at Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co., LLP. Melissa can be reached via phone at (805)
963-5106 or e-mail at mhansen@nhhco.com.
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