Friday April 19, 2024
Private Letter Ruling
GSTT Exemption Allocation Extension Granted
GiftLaw Note:
Decedent established an irrevocable trust (Trust 1) for the benefit of Spouse and their descendants. Decedent thereafter made a gift of cash and marketable securities to Trust 1. Spouse then established another irrevocable trust (Trust 2) for the benefit of her descendants, and made gifts of cash, marketable securities and real estate to Trust 2. The gifts were made in Year 1 to Trust 1 and Trust 2. Attorney was hired to draft the trust documents and advise regarding the gifts made to their Trusts. Attorney failed to advise Decedent and Spouse of their need to file Forms 709, United States Gift (and Generation Skipping Transfer) Tax Returns for the gifts to the trusts. After Decedent's death, Spouse was appointed as the representative of Decedent's estate. During the administration of the estate, it was discovered that neither Decedent or Spouse filed Forms 709 for transfers made to their Trusts, nor had they made allocations of generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption to their Trusts. Decedent's estate requests an extension of time under Section 2642(g) and Section 301.9100-3 to allocate Spouse's GST exemption to Trust 2.
Section 2601 imposes a tax on every GST made by a transferor to a skip person. Section 2611(a) defines a GST as a taxable distribution, a taxable termination or a direct skip. Section 2612(c) provides that a direct skip is a transfer of an interest to a skip person and subject to tax. Under Sec. 2602, the amount of the GST tax equals the taxable amount multiplied by the applicable rate. The applicable rate is defined in Sec. 2641(a) as the product of the maximum federal estate tax rate and the inclusion ratio. Section 2631(a) allowed each individual to allocate a GST exemption to property transferred by the individual. Under Sec. 2631(b), the Sec. 2631(a) exemption allocation is irrevocable. Section 2632(b)(1) provides that the automatic allocation will be to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio zero, if the individual has any unused portion of GST exemption. An individual may elect to opt out of the automatic allocation rule before the date prescribed for filing the estate tax return. Sec. 2632(b)(3). Under Sec. 2642(g)(1)(B), all relevant circumstances shall be considered, including evidence of intent contained in the trust instrument. Regulation 301.9100-3 allows an extension of time to be granted if the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and the relief granted will not prejudice the interests of the government. Regulation 301.9100-3(b)(1)(v) states that a taxpayer will be deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional who failed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election. Here, the Service determined that the requirements of Reg. 301.9100-3 were met and granted an extension of 120 days to allocate Spouse's available GST exemption to Trust 2.
Decedent established an irrevocable trust (Trust 1) for the benefit of Spouse and their descendants. Decedent thereafter made a gift of cash and marketable securities to Trust 1. Spouse then established another irrevocable trust (Trust 2) for the benefit of her descendants, and made gifts of cash, marketable securities and real estate to Trust 2. The gifts were made in Year 1 to Trust 1 and Trust 2. Attorney was hired to draft the trust documents and advise regarding the gifts made to their Trusts. Attorney failed to advise Decedent and Spouse of their need to file Forms 709, United States Gift (and Generation Skipping Transfer) Tax Returns for the gifts to the trusts. After Decedent's death, Spouse was appointed as the representative of Decedent's estate. During the administration of the estate, it was discovered that neither Decedent or Spouse filed Forms 709 for transfers made to their Trusts, nor had they made allocations of generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption to their Trusts. Decedent's estate requests an extension of time under Section 2642(g) and Section 301.9100-3 to allocate Spouse's GST exemption to Trust 2.
Section 2601 imposes a tax on every GST made by a transferor to a skip person. Section 2611(a) defines a GST as a taxable distribution, a taxable termination or a direct skip. Section 2612(c) provides that a direct skip is a transfer of an interest to a skip person and subject to tax. Under Sec. 2602, the amount of the GST tax equals the taxable amount multiplied by the applicable rate. The applicable rate is defined in Sec. 2641(a) as the product of the maximum federal estate tax rate and the inclusion ratio. Section 2631(a) allowed each individual to allocate a GST exemption to property transferred by the individual. Under Sec. 2631(b), the Sec. 2631(a) exemption allocation is irrevocable. Section 2632(b)(1) provides that the automatic allocation will be to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio zero, if the individual has any unused portion of GST exemption. An individual may elect to opt out of the automatic allocation rule before the date prescribed for filing the estate tax return. Sec. 2632(b)(3). Under Sec. 2642(g)(1)(B), all relevant circumstances shall be considered, including evidence of intent contained in the trust instrument. Regulation 301.9100-3 allows an extension of time to be granted if the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and the relief granted will not prejudice the interests of the government. Regulation 301.9100-3(b)(1)(v) states that a taxpayer will be deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional who failed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election. Here, the Service determined that the requirements of Reg. 301.9100-3 were met and granted an extension of 120 days to allocate Spouse's available GST exemption to Trust 2.
PLR 202248006 GSTT Exemption Allocation Extension Granted
12/2/2022 (9/1/2022)
Dear * * *:
This letter responds to your authorized representative's letter dated March 17, 2022, and subsequent correspondence, requesting an extension of time under § 2642(g) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to allocate Decedent's generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption to trusts.
The facts and representations submitted are summarized as follows:
Decedent established Trust 1, an irrevocable trust for the benefit of his Spouse, and their descendants on Date 1 (in Year 1). On Date 2 (in Year 1), Decedent made a gift of cash and marketable securities to Trust 1.
Spouse established Trust 2, an irrevocable trust for the benefit of her descendants on Date 1. On Date 3 (in Year 1), Spouse made a gift of cash, marketable securities, and real estate with an estimated value of $a to Trust 2.
Decedent and Spouse (collectively, the Taxpayers) hired Attorney to advise them with regard to the gifts made during Year 1. Attorney drafted the Trust 1 and Trust 2 documents. However, Attorney failed to adequately advise Taxpayers of their need to file Forms 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Returns, for the transfers made during Year 1.
Decedent died on Date 4, in Year 2. Spouse was appointed as the personal representative for Decedent's estate. Spouse retained Attorney to assist with the administration of the estate. While preparing to gather information to prepare Decedent's Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, it was discovered that neither Decedent nor Spouse filed Forms 709 for their Year 1 transfers nor made allocations of GST exemption to their Trusts.
You have requested an extension of time under § 2642(g) and § 301.9100-3 to allocate Spouse's GST exemption to Trust 2.
Section 2601 imposes a tax on every generation-skipping transfer. A generation-skipping transfer is defined under § 2611(a) as, (1) a taxable distribution, (2) a taxable termination, and (3) a direct skip.
Section 2602 provides that the amount of the tax imposed by § 2601 is the taxable amount multiplied by the applicable rate.
Section 2631(a) provides that, for purposes of determining the GST tax, every individual shall be allowed a GST exemption amount which may be allocated by such individual (or his executor) to any property with respect to which such individual is the transferor. Section 2631(b) provides that any allocation under § 2631(a), once made, shall be irrevocable.
Section 2632(a)(1) provides that an individual's GST exemption may be allocated at any time on or before the date prescribed for filing the estate tax return for such individual's estate (determined with regard to extensions), regardless of whether such return is required to be filed.
Section 2642(g)(1)(A) provides that the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe such circumstances and procedures under which extensions of time will be granted to make an allocation of GST exemption described in § 2642(b)(1) or (2), and an election under § 2632(b)(3) or (c)(5). Such regulations shall include procedures for requesting comparable relief with respect to transfers made before the date of the enactment of § 2642(g).
Section 2642(g)(1)(B) provides that in determining whether to grant relief under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into account all relevant circumstances, including evidence of intent contained in the trust instrument or instrument of transfer and such other factors as the Secretary deems relevant. For purposes of determining whether to grant relief under this paragraph, the time for making the allocation (or election) shall be treated as if not expressly prescribed by statute. See Notice 2001-50, 2001-2 C.B. 189.
Notice 2001-50, 2001-2 C.B. 189, provides that, under § 2642(g)(1)(B), the time for allocating the GST exemption to lifetime transfers and transfers at death, is to be treated as if not expressly prescribed by statute and taxpayers may seek an extension of time to make an allocation described in § 2642(b)(1) or (b)(2) under the provisions of § 301.9100-3.
Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner has discretion to grant a reasonable extension of time under the rules set forth in §§ 301.9100-2 and 301.9100-3 to make a regulatory election, or a statutory election (but no more than six months except in the case of a taxpayer who is abroad), under all subtitles of the Code except subtitles E, G, H, and I.
Section 301.9100-3 provides the standards used to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation (and not expressly provided by statute). Requests for relief under § 301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides the evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.
Section 301.9100-3(b)(1)(v) provides that a taxpayer is deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional, including a tax professional employed by the taxpayer, and the tax professional failed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election.
Based on the facts submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of § 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. Therefore, Spouse is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to allocate Spouse's available GST exemption to Trust 2. The allocation will be effective as of Date 3, the date of Spouse's transfer of assets to Trust 2, and the value of the transfer as determined for federal gift tax purposes will be used in determining the amount of GST exemption to be allocated to Trust 2.
The allocation should be made on a Form 709. The Form 709 should be filed with the Internal Revenue Service at the following address: Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Kansas City, MO 64999.
In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, we have sent a copy of this letter to your authorized representatives.
Except as expressly provided herein, we neither express nor imply any opinion concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter.
The rulings contained in this letter are based upon information and representations submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted in support of the request for rulings, it is subject to verification on examination.
This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
Sincerely,
Associate Chief Counsel
Passthroughs and Special Industries
By: [Melissa C. Liquerman]
Senior Counsel, Branch 4
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)
Enclosure
Copy for § 6110 purposes
cc:
* * *
12/2/2022 (9/1/2022)
Dear * * *:
This letter responds to your authorized representative's letter dated March 17, 2022, and subsequent correspondence, requesting an extension of time under § 2642(g) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to allocate Decedent's generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption to trusts.
The facts and representations submitted are summarized as follows:
Decedent established Trust 1, an irrevocable trust for the benefit of his Spouse, and their descendants on Date 1 (in Year 1). On Date 2 (in Year 1), Decedent made a gift of cash and marketable securities to Trust 1.
Spouse established Trust 2, an irrevocable trust for the benefit of her descendants on Date 1. On Date 3 (in Year 1), Spouse made a gift of cash, marketable securities, and real estate with an estimated value of $a to Trust 2.
Decedent and Spouse (collectively, the Taxpayers) hired Attorney to advise them with regard to the gifts made during Year 1. Attorney drafted the Trust 1 and Trust 2 documents. However, Attorney failed to adequately advise Taxpayers of their need to file Forms 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Returns, for the transfers made during Year 1.
Decedent died on Date 4, in Year 2. Spouse was appointed as the personal representative for Decedent's estate. Spouse retained Attorney to assist with the administration of the estate. While preparing to gather information to prepare Decedent's Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, it was discovered that neither Decedent nor Spouse filed Forms 709 for their Year 1 transfers nor made allocations of GST exemption to their Trusts.
You have requested an extension of time under § 2642(g) and § 301.9100-3 to allocate Spouse's GST exemption to Trust 2.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
Section 2601 imposes a tax on every generation-skipping transfer. A generation-skipping transfer is defined under § 2611(a) as, (1) a taxable distribution, (2) a taxable termination, and (3) a direct skip.
Section 2602 provides that the amount of the tax imposed by § 2601 is the taxable amount multiplied by the applicable rate.
Section 2631(a) provides that, for purposes of determining the GST tax, every individual shall be allowed a GST exemption amount which may be allocated by such individual (or his executor) to any property with respect to which such individual is the transferor. Section 2631(b) provides that any allocation under § 2631(a), once made, shall be irrevocable.
Section 2632(a)(1) provides that an individual's GST exemption may be allocated at any time on or before the date prescribed for filing the estate tax return for such individual's estate (determined with regard to extensions), regardless of whether such return is required to be filed.
Section 2642(g)(1)(A) provides that the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe such circumstances and procedures under which extensions of time will be granted to make an allocation of GST exemption described in § 2642(b)(1) or (2), and an election under § 2632(b)(3) or (c)(5). Such regulations shall include procedures for requesting comparable relief with respect to transfers made before the date of the enactment of § 2642(g).
Section 2642(g)(1)(B) provides that in determining whether to grant relief under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into account all relevant circumstances, including evidence of intent contained in the trust instrument or instrument of transfer and such other factors as the Secretary deems relevant. For purposes of determining whether to grant relief under this paragraph, the time for making the allocation (or election) shall be treated as if not expressly prescribed by statute. See Notice 2001-50, 2001-2 C.B. 189.
Notice 2001-50, 2001-2 C.B. 189, provides that, under § 2642(g)(1)(B), the time for allocating the GST exemption to lifetime transfers and transfers at death, is to be treated as if not expressly prescribed by statute and taxpayers may seek an extension of time to make an allocation described in § 2642(b)(1) or (b)(2) under the provisions of § 301.9100-3.
Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner has discretion to grant a reasonable extension of time under the rules set forth in §§ 301.9100-2 and 301.9100-3 to make a regulatory election, or a statutory election (but no more than six months except in the case of a taxpayer who is abroad), under all subtitles of the Code except subtitles E, G, H, and I.
Section 301.9100-3 provides the standards used to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation (and not expressly provided by statute). Requests for relief under § 301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides the evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.
Section 301.9100-3(b)(1)(v) provides that a taxpayer is deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional, including a tax professional employed by the taxpayer, and the tax professional failed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election.
Based on the facts submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of § 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. Therefore, Spouse is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to allocate Spouse's available GST exemption to Trust 2. The allocation will be effective as of Date 3, the date of Spouse's transfer of assets to Trust 2, and the value of the transfer as determined for federal gift tax purposes will be used in determining the amount of GST exemption to be allocated to Trust 2.
The allocation should be made on a Form 709. The Form 709 should be filed with the Internal Revenue Service at the following address: Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Kansas City, MO 64999.
In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, we have sent a copy of this letter to your authorized representatives.
Except as expressly provided herein, we neither express nor imply any opinion concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter.
The rulings contained in this letter are based upon information and representations submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted in support of the request for rulings, it is subject to verification on examination.
This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
Sincerely,
Associate Chief Counsel
Passthroughs and Special Industries
By: [Melissa C. Liquerman]
Senior Counsel, Branch 4
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)
Enclosure
Copy for § 6110 purposes
cc:
* * *
Published December 16, 2022
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