what is the generation skipping tax?

Guest 0.10 Dollars($)

I am 80 years old and i would like to transfer my property to grandchildren. But i would like to know about the generation skipping tax. Do I have to pay it? Is there any exemption limit as such?

helping_user

Welcome Gabriel,

The Generation Skipping tax is a transfer tax imposed by the US government on gifts and transfers in trust to or for the of persons of two or more generations younger than the donor. This tax is imposed only when the transfer of property avoids incurring a gift tax or estate tax at each level of generation.

Suppose you wish to leave all your assets, say about $5 million to your heirs. Generally, you would pass cash on your children due to which the government would charge an estate tax. After the death of your children, the assets would pass on to their children, that is, your grandchildren and again there would be estate taxes assessed on the transfer.

However, if property is transferred directly from you to your grandchildren, you could skip an entire generation of estate tax. That is why, the government charges estate tax and along with it the generation skipping tax.

Thanks

Guest 0.10 Dollars($)

gabriel, the exemption limit or generation skipping tax allowed for each taxpayer is $2,000,000. This implies that gifts and bequests to younger beneficiaries in excess of $2,000,000 ($4,000,000 for married couple) will be subjected to the skipping tax.

The exemption limit is expected to increase to $3,500,000 in 2009 and become $1,000,000 per individual by 2011.

Guest 0.10 Dollars($)

Hi Gabriel,

According to me Alex is right.

Thanks

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