Estate tax transcripts can now be accessed online through the IRS website.

“The ability to access those transcripts online is a significant milestone in the Internal Revenue Service’s effort to reduce the number of estate tax closing letter requests and lessen its workload,” said Catherine Hughes, of the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy.

Before June 1, 2015, the IRS issued an estate tax closing letter for every estate tax return filed.  For returns filed on or after that date, the IRS issues a closing letter only at the request of the estate.

In Notice 2017-12, issued in January 2017, the IRS stated that in lieu of closing letters, executors, local probate courts, state tax departments, and others can request an account transcript—a computer-generated report that includes the date on which the

The 7520 rate for May 2018 will remain at 3.2%.

The May 2018 Applicable Federal Interest Rates can be found here.

The 7520 rate for April 2018 will be 3.2%.

The April 2018 Applicable Federal Interest Rates can be found here.

Bryan Cave LLP has once again been recognized as a U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” National Tier 1 ranked firm for its work in Trusts & Estates.  Awards are determined using several criteria, including: client evaluations, peer attorney feedback, and, notably, managing partners and practice area chairs’ reviews. Congrats to the Bryan Cave Private Client Group!

The Internal Revenue Service updated the estate tax exemption amounts in Revenue Procedure 2018-18.   The inflation-adjusted estate tax exemption for individuals in 2018 is $11.18 million and $22.36 million for married couples.

Chambers & Partners has recognized London Partner, Dyke Arboneaux,  in the Chambers Global 2018 guide.

Arboneaux is ranked globally in Band 3 for her international private client work. She also is recognized as a foreign expert based in the UK for her work in the USA Tax section of the guide. The publication notes that one source praised Arboneaux’s “broad expertise and experience.”

For more information about Chambers and Partners, visit their website at www.chambersandpartners.com.

Associates, Brent Howard, Atlanta,  and Linsey Glosier, Denver/St.Louis, were accepted into the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). STEP is a global professional association for practitioners who specialize in family inheritance and succession planning.

The 7520 rate for February 2018 will remain at 2.6%.

The February 2018 Applicable Federal Interest Rates can be found here.

The 7520 rate for January 2018 will remain at 2.6%.

The January 2018 Applicable Federal Interest Rates can be found here.

The 7520 rate for December 2017 increased to 2.6%.

The December 2017 Applicable Federal Interest Rates can be found here.