Income-shifting Strategies

Definition of "Income-shifting strategies"

Ownership of tax-free or tax-deferred investments by a child or for a child, given that these investments will not reach maturity before the child attains at least age 14. The objective is to shift investment producing current income from high-tax-bracket adults to low-tax-bracket children. Possible means of achieving this objective would be the utilization of the following investment instruments:

  1. Municipal bonds interest earned is not subject to federal or state taxes.
  2. Savings bonds U.S. EE savings bonds that have a maturity date after the child attains age 14 these bonds guarantee payment of85% of the average interest rate of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds subject to a minimum guarantee rate of 6%. These bonds must beheld for at least five years for the full interest rate to apply.
  3. PERMANENT LIFE INSURANCE earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis with the possibility of avoiding taxes on the accrued earnings if the policy remains in force until the insured's death.
  4. DEFERRED ANNUITY this instrument offers the same tax-deferred treatment as life insurance.
  5. Growth equities taxes need not be paid on "paper gains;" taxes on gains are paid only after stock is sold.
  6. Custodial account parent retains control of the asset owned by the child until the child reaches the age of majority. The first $1000of income in the account is taxed at the child's rate (if child is less than age 14), and any additional income is taxed at the parent's rate. When the child reaches age 14, all income in the account becomes taxable at the child's rate.

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

Contractor who represents different insurance companies and who searches the market for the best place for a client's business. The independent agent, who owns the records of policies sold, ...

Representative of an insurance company who sells ordinary and industrial life insurance policies. In an effort to move their field forces into the ordinary life business, many industrial ...

Coverage for small groups that cannot meet the underwriting standards of true group insurance. Even though the franchise insurance covers an entire group, individual policies are written on ...

Annual report to policyholders of certain cash value life insurance products and annuities to inform them of the value of the investment portion of their contracts. Buyers of whole life ...

Cost of an annuity. Annuities are often paid for in a lump sum rather than annual or other periodic payments. This sum, which guarantees an income, usually for life, is called the purchase ...

Total of interest, dividends, and other earnings derived from the insurance company's invested assets minus the expenses associated with these investments. Excluded from this income are ...

Yearly renewable term (YRT) life insurance under which an insured can usually re-apply for term insurance every fifth year at a lower premium than the guaranteed renewal rate. If the ...

Fidelity bond under which an insured employer is reimbursed for loss caused by the dishonest act of two or more employees named or listed in a schedule attached to the bond. The specific ...

Coverage for an employer in the event of dishonesty of any employee. ...

Popular Insurance Questions