Gross Estate — Section 2033 is a fundamental building block for estate planners as it deals primarily with the question of which interests in property are includible in a decedent's gross estate. This question is to be distinguished from questions of valuation, at which §2031 is directed, although the two questions are often intertwined. The §2033 issues are primarily theoretical or analytical in nature, and often the question of whether and to what extent §2033 applies will depend on the theoretical rationale of the estate tax. Written by Christopher G. Stoneman, Esq., this Portfolio discusses
This Portfolio analyzes the §2033 issues including problems relating to the instant before death, the instant of death, and the instant after death. Interests that expire before death, such as life estates, are not includible in the gross estate under §2033, nor are interests that do not come into existence until after death, such as proceeds of wrongful death actions. This Portfolio also deals with certain exemptions from the gross estate which originated outside of §2033, such as exemptions for property belonging to Native Americans and Housing Project Notes.
Gross Estate — Section 2033 allows you to benefit from:
This Portfolio is part of the Estates, Gifts and Trusts Portfolios Library, a comprehensive series containing more than 80 Portfolios, which covers critical transactions in estate, gifts and trusts planning. This highly-regarded resource library offers commentary on a wide range of estate planning topics including: Generation Skipping Tax, Family Limited Partnerships, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Estate Planning for Closely-Held Businesses, Exempt Organizations and Private Foundations, Life Insurance, Valuation, and more.
Detailed Analysis
I. Introduction
A. Concept of "Gross Estate"
B. Origin and Scope of § 2033
1. History
2. Section 2033 Contrasted and Compared with Other Inclusionary Sections
3. Section 2033 and the Grantor Trust Rules
4. Applicability of § 2033 and One or More Other Inclusionary Sections
5. Valuation
II. Elements of § 2033
Introductory Material
A. Did the Decedent Have an "Interest" in "Property"?
1. Introduction
2. "Property"
a. Real Property
b. Tangible Personal Property
c. Intangibles
(1) Stocks and Bonds
(2) Promissory Notes
(3) Causes of Action and Claims
(4) Accrued Dividends
(5) Accrued Interest
(6) Rents
(7) Earned but Unpaid Fees or Commissions
(8) Deferred Compensation and Bonuses
(9) Tax Refunds
(10) Bank Accounts
(11) Insurance on the Life of Another
(12) Interest-Free Loans
(13) Stock and Commodity Contracts
(a) Futures Contracts
(b) Stock Options
(c) Short Sales
(14) Contributions to § 529 Plans and Other Qualified Tuition Programs
(15) Contributions to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
(16) Use of Deceased Author's Name
(17) Section 1341(a) Relief
(18) Community Property
(19) Individual Retirement Accounts
d. Trust Property
3. "Interest" in Property
a. Beneficial vs. Bare Legal
b. Present vs. Future
(1) Life Estates
(2) Reversions
(3) Remainders
c. Vested vs. Contingent vs. Defeasible
d. Legal vs. Illegal
4. What Law Applies?
a. Law of Another Country
b. U.S. Law
c. The Bosch Case
d. Examples
B. "At the Time of His Death"
2. Restrictions
3. Retroactivity and Subdivision
4. Disclaimers
5. Simultaneous Deaths
a. Probate Property
b. Jointly Held Property
c. Life Insurance
6. Compensation Paid After Death
a. Enforceability
b. Right to Receive Benefits on Death
c. Summary Comments
7. Powers of Appointment
8. Advances
9. Contingent Fees and Commissions
10. Split Gifts: Gift Tax as an Asset
a. Federal Gift Tax
b. State Gift Tax
11. Property Arising After Death
a. Wrongful Death Recoveries
(1) Death Statutes
(2) Survival Statutes
(3) Pain and Suffering
b. Other Interests
(1) Social Security
(2) Railroad Retirement Act
(3) Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act
(4) State Workmen's Compensation Benefits
(5) Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969
(6) Payments Connected with Military Service
(7) Miscellaneous
III. Section 2034: Dower, Curtesy and Homestead Rights
IV. Miscellaneous
A. Property Subject to Contract
1. Decedent as Seller
2. Decedent as Purchaser
B. Transfers Completed Before Death
C. Title to Property
D. Partnerships
E. Other Special Situations
1. Proceeds of Corporate-Owned Insurance on the Life of the Controlling Shareholder
2. U.S. Veterans
3. Family Estate
4. Murder of Joint Tenant
5. Excess Campaign Funds
V. Application of the Estate Tax to U.S. Citizens and Residents
A. U.S. Citizens and Residents
B. Residents of Possessions
C. Situs of Property
D. Treaties and Conventions
E. Expatriation to Avoid Tax
VI. Exclusions from Gross Estate
A. Land Subject to Qualified Conservation Easement
1. Land Qualifying for Exclusion
2. Maximum Benefit Allowed
3. Coordination with Other Estate Tax Provisions
B. Native Americans' Property
1. General Allotment Act of 1887
2. Unique Status of the Osage Tribe
3. Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act
4. Other Provisions Relating to Exemption of Native Americans' Property
a. Agua Caliente Band of Mission Indians
b. Klamath Indian Tribe
c. Chicasaw Indian Tribe
C. Cemetery Lots
D. Public Housing Bonds and Notes
Working Papers
Table of Worksheets
Worksheet 1 Text of § 2033: Property in Which the Decedent Had an Interest
Worksheet 2 Excerpts from the Legislative History of the Revenue Act of 1962, P.L. 87-834
Worksheet 3 Property Subject to § 2033
Bibliography
OFFICIAL
Statutes:
Legislative History:
Treasury Regulations:
Treasury Rulings:
Cases:
UNOFFICIAL
Treatises:
Periodicals:
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