Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

• President Trump signed the CARES Act on March 27, 2020, a $2 trillion stimulus package providing $560 billion of relief for individuals, including:
  • Cash Payments: $1,200 per individual ($2,400 for couples); plus $500 per qualifying child¹
  • Retirement Funds: Early withdrawal penalties waived for distributions of up to $100,000, if withdrawal is for coronavirus related purposes
  • 401(k) Loans: Loan limit increased from $50,000 to $100,000
  • Required Minimum Distributions: Suspended in 2020 for IRA/401(k) plans, including inherited IRAs
  • Charitable Deduction: Up to $300 charitable deduction for 2020 taxpayers who utilize the standard deduction

Extension of filing and payment deadlines

• The federal and Wisconsin income tax return filing and payment deadline for the 2019 tax year was automatically extended to July 15, 2020
• The federal gift tax return filing and payment deadline for the 2019 tax year was automatically extended to July 15, 2020

Gifting opportunities

• Low valuations, low interest rates and the anticipated reduction in the federal estate/gift tax exemption from $11.58 million to approximately $6.5 million on Jan. 1, 2026, have created many planning opportunities, including:
  • Gifts and/or sales to existing or newly established Trusts to take advantage of low valuations and use the $11.58 million exemption while it is still available;
  • Amending intra-family loans to take advantage of low interest rates; and
  • Creation of charitable lead trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts and other estate planning techniques that benefit from low interest rates.

Estate planning review

Now may also be a good time for clients to review their existing estate plans to make certain that their plans are up to date and consistent with their wishes.

¹Amounts are phased down for individuals making more than $75,000 ($150,000 for couples) and phased out for individuals making more than $99,000 ($198,000 for couples)