Tax Articles

OBBB panel discussion held on September 25, 2025, with experts from Lumsden McCormick and Bond, Schoeneck & King.

A quiet trust, also known as a silent trust, is an estate planning tool that keeps beneficiaries unaware of the trust’s existence until a specified age or milestone. While it can preserve motivation and protect heirs from external pressures, it may also lead to missed opportunities or resentment. For some families, an incentive trust, which rewards responsible behavior may offer a more balanced approach.

Owning a business with your spouse can be rewarding, but it also brings unique tax challenges that can impact your bottom line. From self-employment tax surprises to IRS partnership rules, understanding your options like electing joint venture status, forming an S corporation, or restructuring roles can help you minimize taxes and simplify compliance.

Executive Order 14247 requires the IRS to transition all tax-related payments and refunds to electronic methods starting September 30, 2025, eliminating paper checks except in limited cases. Taxpayers will need to use direct deposit, prepaid debit cards, or digital platforms for refunds and make payments through approved electronic systems, with support available for those lacking access to traditional banking.

Custodial accounts offer a flexible way for adults to manage investments on behalf of minors, allowing the assets to legally belong to the child while controlled by a custodian until adulthood. These accounts support various asset types and provide tax benefits but come with considerations regarding control and financial aid impact.

Family business owners benefit from having both an estate plan and a succession plan to ensure a smooth transition of assets and leadership. These strategies help preserve wealth, minimize taxes, and reduce potential conflicts among heirs, while supporting the financial needs of both generations.

Being named an executor of an estate is a significant honor, but it comes with complex legal and financial responsibilities. From securing death certificates and managing probate to settling debts, filing taxes, and distributing assets, the role demands careful organization and clear communication with beneficiaries. Executors must act as fiduciaries, often over the course of a year or more, ensuring every step is handled prudently and transparently.

The OBBB outlines key tax changes for businesses, including enhanced deductions and reporting thresholds starting in 2025. Highlights include 100% bonus depreciation, full expensing of domestic R&E, and increased 1099 thresholds, with some provisions expiring at year-end and others continuing into 2026 and beyond. Additional updates affect small business R&E elections, ERC claims, and the Qualified Opportunity Zone program.

POD and TOD accounts offer a fast and simple way to transfer assets directly to beneficiaries, bypassing probate. However, they can unintentionally override your will, create unequal distributions, and lack flexibility for more complex estate planning needs.

The OBBB introduces various extensions and amendments to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Key provisions covering tax rates, expanded deductions and changes to credits will begin rolling out in 2025.