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Navigating Estate and Gift Tax Reforms Under the OBBBA

The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) has brought about significant changes in estate and gift tax planning, opening up new avenues for optimizing tax strategies. These legislative updates modify key facets of the estate tax exclusion, necessitating a more strategic approach for affluent individuals. Expertise in these areas is vital to capitalize on the new regulations effectively.

Understanding the Estate and Gift Tax Exclusion: Estate and gift tax exclusion refers to the threshold under which estates are not subject to federal estate tax. For decedents whose estate value falls below the exclusion cap in the year of death—set at $13.99 million in 2025—no federal estate tax applies, although filing an estate tax return might still be beneficial in certain scenarios, like the portability election.

Individuals making gifts exceeding the annual exclusion amount of $19,000 in 2025 must file IRS Form 709 but may not owe gift taxes thanks to the ability to leverage their combined lifetime estate and gift tax exemption toward excess amounts. Upon their death, a comprehensive reconciliation ensures the total value of gifts and estate does not surpass the lifetime exclusion, as detailed on IRS Form 706.

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Key Adjustments in Tax Exclusions: The OBBBA sets the estate and gift tax exclusion at a consistent $15 million per individual starting 2026, which will be adjusted for inflation. This legislation draws from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that temporarily increased the exclusion but was anticipated to revert to approximately $7 million. The OBBBA thus provides a more favorable and enduring scenario for high-net-worth taxpayers.

Such adjustments enable more precise estate planning by allowing significant wealth transfers without incurring taxes, while adding a layer of stability and predictability to asset management strategies.

Influence on Generation-Skipping Transfers: Reflecting changes in estate and gift tax exclusions, the Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) tax exclusion also aligns with OBBBA directives, featuring a $15 million threshold from 2026, subject to inflation. The GST tax addresses transfers that leap a generation—like those from grandparents to grandchildren—yet offers strategic planning opportunities to minimize tax exposure.

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Maximizing the Portability Election: One underutilized approach in estate planning for married couples involves the portability election upon the death of a spouse, enabling the surviving partner to apply any unused exclusion portion from the decedent. This can effectively double the couple’s tax-free transfer potential. Strategic filing of IRS Form 706 is necessary to elect this option, providing additional security and flexibility.

Strategic Considerations for Wealth Management: With the OBBBA’s provisions, estate plans must be reevaluated to fully leverage the $15 million exclusion. Tax professionals can employ dynamic estate plans that adjust to inflation, economic shifts, and legislative modifications. Utilizing gifts, trusts, and nuanced asset management effectively will be crucial in optimizing the benefits of these tax policies.

Conclusion: The landscape of estate and gift taxes, shaped by the OBBBA, presents complex planning challenges and opportunities. Adjusted exclusions, aligned GST rules, and the portability election can greatly enhance wealth preservation strategies across generations. For high-net-worth taxpayers, this is a critical moment to consult with tax professionals to refine and optimize their estate planning approaches.

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