Did you know that there’s a wealth-transfer technique you can use to reduce your taxable estate and keep more of your assets for your heirs? You can make annual gifts of up to $13,000 ($26,000 per married couple) to as many people as you wish without incurring federal gift taxes.
An example: A married couple with three children could reduce their estate by $78,000 each year if $26,000 were given to each of their children.
Gifting can be used in a number of unique ways. You can use annual gifts to help build a college fund for a child, grand- child, relative, or even a friend — by contributing to a 529 plan account, a Coverdell Education Savings Account, or a UGMA/UGTA account. In fact, 529 plans have special rules that allow you to make five years’ worth of contributions in one year without incurring any gift taxes — that’s $65,000 for individuals and $130,000 for married couples!
