Grantor-retained Income Trust (grit)

Definition of "Grantor-retained income trust (grit)"

Irrevocable trust into which the grantor places assets and retains the income from or the use of these assets for a stipulated period of time. At the termination of this time period, the principal (assets) of the trust is transferred to the grantor's non charitable beneficiary. The non charitable beneficiary may include individual (s) such as a grandchild, niece, nephew, son, or daughter. Should the grantor survive the stipulated period of time, he or she will incur substantial savings in estate and gift taxes. In order for these savings in taxes to occur, the following requirements must be met by the grantor:

  1. income to the grantor must be the sole result of the income generated by assets held in the trust.
  2. any income generated by the assets held in the trust can be paid only to the grantor of the trust.
  3. neither the grantor nor the spouse of the grantor can act as a trustee of the trust.
  4. any income retained by the grantor must be for a period of time not to exceed 10 years.
Should the grantor die before the stipulated period of time the trust expires, the value of the assets of the trust are included in the grantor's estate for FEDERAL ESTATE TAX purposes, even though the assets are not physically transferred to the estate of the grantor.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Membership organization representing professional actuaries in all insurance fields in Canada including life and health, casualty, consulting and fraternal actuaries. A member must reside ...

Organization formed to encourage research in insurance and to foster an exchange of ideas and research methodology among the society members. ...

INSURANCE health insurance policy providing coverage for an insured's medical expenses except those that are specifically excluded. This may be the most advantageous medical expense policy ...

Trust named from a private-letter ruling by the IRS that involved a trust established by a Jewish congregation on behalf of its rabbi. The operation of the trust involves the employer's ...

Bonds issued by the United States Treasury that earn a fixed interest rate plus the rate of inflation. These bonds are sold at face value in denominations of $50 up to $5000 and may earn ...

Activities of interest in underwriting an application for life insurance to determine the rate classification (premium) for the applicant. For example, a sky diver is at greater personal ...

Documents completed by the agent to effect authorization to act on behalf of the company. ...

Automobile purchased or leased by the insured or the insured's spouse that is in addition to the insured or the insured spouse's present car as covered under the personal automobile policy ...

In property insurance, amount that an insured does not have to pay when a loss exceeds a predetermined sum; here the insurance company pays more than 100% of the loss, so that the ...

Popular Insurance Questions