Senate Rejects Limits on GRATs. Estate Tax Relief on the Way, Policy and Taxation Group

Have you had to eliminate jobs, sell a business or assets to pay or plan for the death tax?

Make the difference! Help Repeal the Estate Tax.

Home Page Eliminate Death Tax Death Tax Horror Stories Death Tax National Polls Status of Death Tax Legislation Take Action Against Death Tax Death Tax Publications Death Tax FAQ About Us Related Death Tax Sites

Investment Solicitations Policy

Since we receive numerous requests every day to consider investing for our clients, we have developed a submission policy that is outlined below.

Send a brief write up of the investment opportunity with any significant material to our office for review with an indication on the envelope that it is an investment solicitation. If upon review we determine that we would like to meet to discuss or get further information, we will contact you by email or phone. Do not send blind emails or call, as it is impossible for us to respond to all requests. If you are going to be in our area and you would like an opportunity to meet us in person, please send an email with a “REQUEST TO MEET” in the subject line and we will respond if we are interested and available to meet.

Listen to what the public is saying about estate taxes.

Senate Rejects Limits on GRATs

During consideration of the FAA transportation and safety bill on February 2, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) offered an amendment that included an offset that would place new restrictions on grantor-retained annuity trusts (GRATs). The amendment, which was rejected by a vote of 44-54, would have required a 10-year minimum term and a remainder interest greater than zero and prohibited decreasing annuities. All 47 Republicans and 7 Democrats opposed the amendment.

The House considered four bills in 2010 that included the GRAT provision as an offset. We succeeded in keeping the provision from moving forward in the Senate by persuasively arguing that limiting the use of legitimate planning techniques and raising the burden on families was particularly unfair given the continued uncertainty they face. We will remain vigilant to protect the ability of families to adequately plan and continue to press for sustainable estate tax relief.

[Home Page] [Eliminate Tax] [Horror Stories] [National Polls] [Status of Legislation] [Take Action] [Publications] [F.A.Q.] [About Us] [Related Sites]