ING Trusts: Control Your Assets and Minimize Income and Estate Taxes

When it comes to estate planning, one of the key considerations for many individuals is how to retain control over their assets while minimizing the burden of income and estate taxes. ING Trusts offer a compelling solution that allows you to achieve both objectives.

In this blog post, we will explore the concept of ING Trusts, their benefits, and how they can help you preserve your wealth and secure your legacy.

Understanding ING Trusts

An ING Trust, also known as an Incomplete (Gift) Non-Grantor Trust, is a specialized type of irrevocable trust that offers unique advantages in terms of asset control as well as income and estate tax planning. Unlike traditional grantor trusts, where the grantor retains control over the assets and is responsible for the income taxes, ING Trusts shift both control and income tax responsibility to the trust itself.

Benefits of ING Trusts

Control over Assets:

By utilizing an ING Trust, you can maintain a significant level of control over your assets. You can guide the terms of the trust, such as how the assets are managed and distributed, while still enjoying the income tax benefits associated with transferring ownership to the trust.

Estate Tax Reduction:

One of the primary objectives of an ING Trust is to minimize gift and estate taxes. By removing assets from your taxable estate, while not utilizing any of your lifetime gift exemption, you can potentially reduce the estate tax liability upon your passing. This strategy can help ensure that more of your hard-earned wealth goes to your intended beneficiaries rather than to taxes.

Income Tax Reduction:

If structured correctly, assets transferred to the trust can be sold without paying the income tax that would otherwise be due in the settlor’s state of residence. In addition, ongoing earnings inside the trust can escape state income taxation. This can materially add to your long-term wealth.

Creditor Protection:

Another advantage of an ING Trust is the added layer of protection it provides against creditors. Assets held within the trust are shielded from potential claims, providing an extra level of security for your wealth.

Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Planning:

ING Trusts can be particularly advantageous for individuals who wish to transfer wealth to future generations while minimizing the impact of the generation-skipping transfer tax. By structuring the trust appropriately, you can establish a lasting legacy for your family, ensuring that your assets are preserved for future heirs.

Before establishing an ING Trust, it is important to carefully consider the following factors:

Important Considerations with ING Trusts

Irrevocability:

One of the fundamental aspects of an ING Trust is its irrevocable nature. Once assets are transferred into the trust, they generally cannot be retrieved. This means that you need to thoroughly plan and ensure that the trust aligns with your long-term objectives. Take the time to evaluate your goals, preferences, and financial circumstances to ensure that an ING Trust is the right fit for your estate planning strategy. Understanding the permanent nature of the trust and its impact on asset control is essential for making informed decisions.

Professional Guidance:

Given the complex nature of estate planning and tax laws, seeking professional guidance is highly advisable when establishing an ING Trust. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney or financial advisor who specializes in ING Trusts can provide invaluable assistance throughout the process. These professionals have extensive knowledge of the legal and tax implications associated with such trusts and can offer personalized guidance based on your specific situation. They can help you navigate the intricate rules and regulations, ensuring that the trust is tailored to your unique circumstances. By working with experts, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits, risks, and alternatives, allowing you to make well-informed decisions that align with your goals.

Funding the Trust:

To fully leverage the benefits of an ING Trust, it is essential to properly fund it. Adequate assets need to be transferred into the trust to maximize tax efficiency and achieve your intended goals. This involves identifying and transferring assets such as business interests (primarily equity interest), investments, or other highly appreciated assetsd into the trust. Working closely with your estate planning attorney or financial advisor is crucial during this stage. They can help you determine which assets are suitable for the trust, considering factors such as asset valuations, potential tax consequences, and any restrictions or limitations associated with specific types of assets. By ensuring proper funding, you can maximize the tax advantages and ensure that your assets are effectively protected and distributed according to your wishes.

Impact of California Senate Bill 131 for CA Taxpayers

The State of California passed Senate Bill 131 (SB131) in July 2023 which was intended to foreclose the benefits of ING trusts to California taxpayers by making ING trusts “grantor” trusts. While this likely will mean that new ING trusts are not established in California, there is good news - for transactions that are already in motion, or for taxpayers that would like similar benefits,  we can creatively deploy strategies such as an inter vivos qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust to accomplish many of the same objectives. This strategy is also available in states such as New York and Washington where similar restrictions  exist or are being considered. While that is beyond the scope of this post, we would be happy to discuss the opportunities with you if you are in any of the “ING restricted” states. 

Final Notes

ING Trusts offer a powerful tool for individuals seeking to retain control over their assets while minimizing income and estate taxes. By understanding the benefits and considerations associated with these trusts, you can make informed decisions to preserve your wealth and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. With professional guidance and careful planning, an ING Trust can become a cornerstone of your comprehensive estate plan, providing peace of mind and financial security for you and your loved ones.

Connect With Centura

At Centura Wealth Advisory, we go beyond a traditional multi-family office wealth management firm to offer advanced tax and estate planning solutions which traditional wealth managers often lack in expertise, knowledge, or resources to offer their clients.

We invest heavily into technology and systems to provide our clients with fully transparent reporting and tools to make informed decisions around their wealth plan.

Read on to learn more about our 5-Step Liberated Wealth Process and how Centura can help you liberate your wealth.

Disclosures

Centura Wealth does not make any representations as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, or completeness of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to or incorporated herein.  All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

We are neither your attorneys nor your accountants and no portion of this material should be interpreted by you as legal, accounting, or tax advice.  We recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney and accountant.