business owners

Count Down of President Biden’s Top 10 Tax Proposals

President Biden’s proposals, if enacted, will have a big impact on many planning strategies. Keep an eye on these proposals so that you’re prepared to work with your clients accordingly. Read full PDF

Standby Survivorship Trust an Alternative to an ILIT for Insureds Desiring Control

Situation: The uncertainty of the estate tax laws has created a dilemma for many taxpayers, estate planners, and insurance professionals. Should moderately high net worth couples take action today to shelter a significant amount from estate tax (under the $11.7 million exemption) by making a large gift; or should they hold off making a large […]

The Four Levels of Gifting

Level #1: Transfers Not Subject to Tax There are several transfers that fall outside federal gift taxation. You can make the following transfers without facing a gift tax: Anything given to a U.S. citizen spouse as long as the transfer qualifies under the marital deduction1 Donations to qualified charitable organizations made in a manner qualifying […]

Transfer Tax Basics for Noncitizens

Over the past few months, there has been a renewed interest in estate planning topics. The increased interest is likely due to the combination of the daily coverage of deaths due to COVID-19, historic high federal exemption amount, and low-interest rates. Recently, some of my calls involved the application of U.S. estate tax laws to […]

Sales Solution – Stabilizing a Client’s Legacy

Do you have clients whose assets have lost value as a result of the recent turmoil in the markets? Are some of these clients concerned that the losses will be detrimental to their wealth transfer plans? Are you aware that NOW you can help restore your clients’ wealth transfer plans by using life insurance death […]

Understanding Gift Taxation

If you ask any estate planning advisor to tell you the best time for estate planning, they would likely tell you it is when the amount exempted from estate/ gift tax (exemption amount) is high and asset values and interest rates are low. That is the situation we find ourselves in today. Read full PDF […]

The Long and Winding Road to Achieving Loan Forgiveness Under the Paycheck Protection Program

Since the enactment of the CARES Act on March 27, 2020 it has garnered considerable attention. One program that generated significant excitement is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), because it appeared to offer small business owners an incredible opportunity for relief from the economic crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, guidance has been released […]

Now is the Time for Key Person Coverage

Read our print-friendly PDF version Situation: A financial professional contacted DBS’s in-house advanced case design resource to brainstorm when to approach business prospects that had expressed an interest in discussing supplemental executive benefit arrangements for key employees. Prior to COVID-19 the financial professional ran a successful telemarketing campaign focusing on mid-sized corporations. The campaign specifically […]

A Business Does Not Need to Die At the Death of a Key Employee

Read our print-friendly PDF version Businesses are born when the market has a need and someone has a great idea for meeting the need. A product or service is developed and offered to the public. Over time, the skill, knowledge, leadership, and experience of the business’s key people make it possible for it to grow […]

Key Employee Life Insurance Checklist

Read our print-friendly PDF version The purpose of key employee life insurance coverage is to help indemnify a business for the loss of a key employee’s skills and experience in the event of the death of that person. Death benefits or cash values may be used to help recruit and train a replacement, to pay […]