An estimated 1.5 million Americans lose their spouse each year. In addition to the emotional toll, the loss of a spouse can present several tax issues, some of which are not obvious.
This program will provide a review of the various tax issues a surviving spouse should evaluate to manage their tax brackets, capital gains exclusions, and withholding taxes. It will also provide insights on the not so obvious considerations such as step-up basis on assets such as homes and gift exemptions and the pros and cons of Roth IRA conversions in the year of death.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the change in tax brackets for the surviving spouse
- Evaluate the pros and cons of accelerating income in the year of death
- Learn the capital gains exclusions and step-up rules for surviving spouses
- Teach the trade-offs of IRA strategies: Rollover, Inherited and Roth Conversions