Responsible Estate Tax Act

Bill: 114-s-1677
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-06-25
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Farmland

Inflation and prices

Land use and conservation

Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Transfer and inheritance taxes
Latest action: action_date: 2015-06-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-06-25
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Responsible Estate Tax Act </strong></p> <p>Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, to: (1) revise estate tax rates to impose an increased&nbsp;tax for estates&nbsp;over&nbsp;$3.5 million and&nbsp;a maximum tax rate of 55% for estates over $50 million, (2) impose a 10% surtax on estates over $500 million, (3)&nbsp;reduce the basic estate tax exclusion amount to $3.5 million, (4) increase to $3 million the reduction in valuations of farmland for estate tax purposes and adjust such increased amount for inflation after 2014, and (5) increase to $2 million the maximum estate tax exclusion for contributions of conservation easements.</p> <p>Requires that the value of the basis in any property acquired from a decedent or by gift be consistent with the basis as determined for estate and gift tax purposes. Requires executors of estates and donors of gifts required to file a gift tax return to disclose to the Department of the Treasury, and to recipients of any interest in an estate or a gift, information identifying the value of each interest received.</p> <p>Sets forth estate valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets and limits estate tax discounts for certain individuals with minority interests in a business acquired from a decedent.</p> <p>Expands rules for valuing assets in grantor retained annuity trusts to require that: (1) the right to receive fixed amounts from an annuity last for a term of not less than 10 years and that such fixed amounts not decrease during the first 10 years of the annuity term, and (2) the remainder interest have a value greater than 10% when transferred.</p> <p>Sets forth rules for the application of transfer taxes to a grantor trust (a trust in which the grantor retains control over the trust assets and has the right to receive income from the trust). Eliminates the generation-skipping transfer tax exemption&nbsp;for any trust whose termination date is not greater than 50 years after its creation.</p> <p>Modifies the annual gift tax exclusion (currently, $14,000 per donee) to limit the aggregate annual amount of such exclusion to twice the current exclusion amount for certain types of transfers, specifically a transfer in trust, a transfer of an interest in a pass through entity, a transfer of an interest subject to a prohibition on sale, and any other transfer of property that cannot be immediately liquidated by the donee. </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1677 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 25, 2015 Mr. Sanders introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reinstate estate and generation-skipping taxes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Responsible Estate Tax Act . 2. Modifications to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes (a) Modification of rates (1) In general Section 2001(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the last 2 rows and inserting the following: Over $750,000 but not over $3,500,000 $248,300 plus 39 percent of the excess of such amount over $750,000.  Over $3,500,000 but not over $10,000,000 $1,320,800 plus 45 percent of the excess of such amount over $3,500,000.  Over $10,000,000 but not over $50,000,000 $4,245,800 plus 50 percent of the excess of such amount over $10,000,000.  Over $50,000,000 $24,245,800 plus 55 percent of the excess of such amount over $50,000,000. . (2) Surtax on wealthy estates Subsection (c) of section 2001 of such Code is amended— (A) by inserting before the table the following: (1) In general , and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Surtax on estates over $500,000,000 Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the amount with respect to which the tentative tax to be computed is over $500,000,000, the rate of tax otherwise in effect under this subsection with respect to the amount in excess of $500,000,000 shall be increased by 10 percent. . (b) Exclusion amount (1) Estate tax Paragraph (3) of section 2010(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: (3) Basic exclusion amount For purposes of this section, the basic exclusion amount is $3,500,000. . (2) Modification to gift tax exclusion amount Paragraph (1) of section 2505(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: (1) the applicable credit amount in effect under section 2010(c) for such calendar year (determined as if the basic exclusion amount in section 2010(c)(2)(A) were $1,000,000), reduced by . (3) Modifications of estate and gift taxes to reflect differences in credit resulting from different exclusion amounts (A) Estate tax adjustment Section 2001 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Adjustment To reflect changes in exclusion amount (1) In general If, with respect to any gift to which subsection (b)(2) applies, the applicable exclusion amount in effect at the time of the decedent’s death is less than such amount in effect at the time such gift is made by the decedent, the amount of tax computed under subsection (b) shall be reduced by the amount of tax which would have been payable under chapter 12 at the time of the gift if the applicable exclusion amount in effect at such time had been the applicable exclusion amount in effect at the time of the decedent's death and the modifications described in subsection (g) had been applicable at the time of such gifts. (2) Limitation The aggregate amount of gifts made in any calendar year to which the reduction under paragraph (1) applies shall not exceed the excess of— (A) the applicable exclusion amount in effect for such calendar year, over (B) the applicable exclusion amount in effect at the time of the decedent's death. (3) Applicable exclusion amount The term applicable exclusion amount means, with respect to any period, the amount determined under section 2010(c) for such period, except that in the case of any period for which such amount includes the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount (as defined in section 2010(c)(4)), such term shall mean the basic exclusion amount (as defined under section 2010(c)(3), as in effect for such period). . (B) Gift tax adjustment Section 2502 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Adjustment To reflect changes in exclusion amount (1) In general If the taxpayer made a taxable gift in an applicable preceding calendar period, the amount of tax computed under subsection (a) shall be reduced by the amount of tax which would have been payable under chapter 12 for such applicable preceding calendar period if the applicable exclusion amount in effect for such preceding calendar period had been the applicable exclusion amount in effect for the calendar year for which the tax is being computed and the modifications described in subsection (g) had been applicable for such preceding calendar period. (2) Limitation The aggregate amount of gifts made in any applicable preceding calendar period to which the reduction under paragraph (1) applies shall not exceed the excess of— (A) the applicable exclusion amount for such preceding calendar period, over (B) the applicable exclusion amount for the calendar year for which the tax is being computed. (3) Applicable preceding calendar year period The term applicable preceding calendar year period means any preceding calendar year period in which the applicable exclusion amount exceeded the applicable exclusion amount for the calendar year for which the tax is being computed. (4) Applicable exclusion amount The term applicable exclusion amount means, with respect to any period, the amount determined under section 2010(c) for such period, except that in the case of any period for which such amount includes the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount (as defined in section 2010(c)(4)), such term shall mean the basic exclusion amount (as defined under section 2010(c)(3), as in effect for such period). . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to estates of decedents dying, and generation-skipping transfers and gifts made, after December 31, 2015. 3. Modification of rules for value of certain farm, etc., real property (a) In general Paragraph (2) of section 2032A(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $750,000 and inserting $3,000,000 . (b) Inflation adjustment Paragraph (3) of section 2032A(a) of such Code is amended— (1) by striking 1998 and inserting 2015 , (2) by striking $750,000 and inserting $3,000,000 in subparagraph (A), and (3) by striking calendar year 1997 and inserting calendar year 2014 in subparagraph (B). (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December 31, 2015. 4. Modification of estate tax rules with respect to land subject to conservation easements (a) Modification of exclusion limitation Paragraph (1) of section 2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking all that follows subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (B) $2,000,000. . (b) Modification of applicable percentage Paragraph (2) of section 2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 40 percent and inserting 60 percent . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December 31, 2015. 5. Consistent basis reporting between estate and person acquiring property from decedent (a) Consistent use of basis (1) Property acquired from a decedent Section 1014 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) Basis must be consistent with estate tax return (1) In general For purposes of this section, the value used to determine the basis of any interest in property in the hands of the person acquiring such property shall not exceed the value of such interest as finally determined for purposes of chapter 11. (2) Special rule where no final determination In any case in which the final value of property has not been determined under chapter 11 and there has been a statement furnished under section 6035(a), the value used to determine the basis of any interest in property in the hands of the person acquiring such property shall not exceed the amount reported on any statement furnished under section 6035(a). (3) Regulations The Secretary may by regulations provide exceptions to the application of this subsection. . (2) Property acquired by gifts and transfers in trust Section 1015 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) Basis must be consistent gift tax return (1) In general For purposes of this section, the value used to determine the basis of any interest in property in the hands of the person acquiring such property shall not exceed the value of such interest as finally determined for purposes of chapter 12. (2) Special rule where no final determination In any case in which the final value of property has not been determined under chapter 12 and there has been a statement furnished under section 6035(b), the value used to determine the basis of any interest in property in the hands of the person acquiring such property shall not exceed the amount reported on any statement furnished under section 6035(b). (3) Regulations The Secretary may by regulations provide exceptions to the application of this subsection. . (b) Information reporting (1) In general Subpart A of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 6034A the following new section: 6035. Basis information to persons acquiring property from decedent or by gift (a) Information with respect to property acquired from decedents (1) In general The executor of any estate required to file a return under section 6018(a) shall furnish to the Secretary and to each person acquiring any interest in property included in the decedent's gross estate for Federal estate tax purposes a statement identifying the value of each interest in such property as reported on such return and such other information with respect to such interest as the Secretary may prescribe. (2) Statements by beneficiaries Each person required to file a return under section 6018(b) shall furnish to the Secretary and to each other person who holds a legal or beneficial interest in the property to which such return relates a statement identifying the information described in paragraph (1). (3) Time for furnishing statement (A) In general Each statement required to be furnished under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be furnished at such time as the Secretary may prescribe, but in no case at a time later than the earlier of— (i) the date which is 30 days after the date on which the return under section 6018 was required to be filed (including extensions, if any), or (ii) the date which is 30 days after the date such return is filed. (B) Adjustments In any case in which there is an adjustment to the information required to be included on a statement filed under paragraph (1) or (2) after such statement has been filed, a supplemental statement under such paragraph shall be filed not later than the date which is 30 days after such adjustment is made. (b) Information with respect to property acquired by gift (1) In general Each person making a transfer by gift who is required to file a return under section 6019 with respect to such transfer shall furnish to the Secretary and to each person acquiring any interest in property by reason of such transfer a statement identifying the value of each interest in such property as reported on such return and such other information with respect to such interest as the Secretary may prescribe. (2) Time for furnishing statement (A) In general Each statement required to be furnished under paragraph (1) shall be furnished at such time as the Secretary may prescribe, but in no case at a time later than the earlier of— (i) the date which is 30 days after the date on which the return under section 6019 was required to be filed (including extensions, if any), or (ii) the date which is 30 days after the date such return is filed. (B) Adjustments In any case in which there is an adjustment to the information required to be included on a statement filed under paragraph (1) after such statement has been filed, a supplemental statement under such paragraph shall be filed not later than the date which is 30 days after such adjustment is made. (c) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out this section, including regulations relating to— (1) the application of this section to property with regard to which no estate or gift tax return is required to be filed, and (2) situations in which the surviving joint tenant or other recipient may have better information than the executor regarding the basis or fair market value of the property. . (2) Penalty for failure to file (A) Return Section 6724(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking and at the end of subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting , and , and by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph: (D) any statement required to be filed with the Secretary under section 6035. . (B) Statement Section 6724(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking or at the end of subparagraph (GG), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (HH) and inserting , or , and by inserting after subparagraph (HH) the following new subparagraph: (II) section 6035 (other than a statement described in paragraph (1)(D)). . (3) Clerical amendment The table of sections for subpart A of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 6034A the following new item: Sec. 6035. Basis information to persons acquiring property from decedent or by gift. . (c) Penalty for inconsistent reporting (1) In general Subsection (b) of section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraph: (8) Any inconsistent estate or gift basis. . (2) Inconsistent basis reporting Section 6662 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (k) Inconsistent estate or gift basis reporting For purposes of this section, the term inconsistent estate or gift basis means the portion of the understatement which is attributable to— (1) in the case of property acquired from a decedent, a basis determination with respect to such property which is not consistent with the value of such property as determined under section 1014(f), and (2) in the case of property acquired by gift, a basis determination with respect to such property which is not consistent with the value of such property as determined under section 1015(f). . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to transfers for which returns are filed after the date of the enactment of this Act. 6. Valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets; limitation on minority discounts (a) In general Section 2031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f) and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsections: (d) Valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets For purposes of this chapter and chapter 12— (1) In general In the case of the transfer of any interest in an entity other than an interest which is actively traded (within the meaning of section 1092)— (A) the value of any nonbusiness assets held by the entity with respect to such interest shall be determined as if the transferor had transferred such assets directly to the transferee (and no valuation discount shall be allowed with respect to such nonbusiness assets), and (B) such nonbusiness assets shall not be taken into account in determining the value of the interest in the entity. (2) Nonbusiness assets For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general The term nonbusiness asset means any asset which is not used in the active conduct of 1 or more trades or businesses. (B) Exception for certain passive assets Except as provided in subparagraph (C), a passive asset shall not be treated for purposes of subparagraph (A) as used in the active conduct of a trade or business unless— (i) the asset is property described in paragraph (1) or (4) of section 1221(a) or is a hedge with respect to such property, or (ii) the asset is real property used in the active conduct of 1 or more real property trades or businesses (within the meaning of section 469(c)(7)(C)) in which the transferor materially participates and with respect to which the transferor meets the requirements of section 469(c)(7)(B)(ii). For purposes of clause (ii), material participation shall be determined under the rules of section 469(h), except that section 469(h)(3) shall be applied without regard to the limitation to farming activity. (C) Exception for working capital Any asset (including a passive asset) which is held as a part of the reasonably required working capital needs of a trade or business shall be treated as used in the active conduct of a trade or business. (3) Passive asset For purposes of this subsection, the term passive asset means any— (A) cash or cash equivalents, (B) except to the extent provided by the Secretary, stock in a corporation or any other equity, profits, or capital interest in any entity, (C) evidence of indebtedness, option, forward or futures contract, notional principal contract, or derivative, (D) asset described in clause (iii), (iv), or (v) of section 351(e)(1)(B), (E) annuity, (F) real property used in 1 or more real property trades or businesses (as defined in section 469(c)(7)(C)), (G) asset (other than a patent, trademark, or copyright) which produces royalty income, (H) commodity, (I) collectible (within the meaning of section 401(m)), or (J) any other asset specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary. (4) Look-thru rules (A) In general If a nonbusiness asset of an entity consists of a 10-percent interest in any other entity, this subsection shall be applied by disregarding the 10-percent interest and by treating the entity as holding directly its ratable share of the assets of the other entity. This subparagraph shall be applied successively to any 10-percent interest of such other entity in any other entity. (B) 10-percent interest The term 10-percent interest means— (i) in the case of an interest in a corporation, ownership of at least 10 percent (by vote or value) of the stock in such corporation, (ii) in the case of an interest in a partnership, ownership of at least 10 percent of the capital or profits interest in the partnership, and (iii) in any other case, ownership of at least 10 percent of the beneficial interests in the entity. (5) Coordination with subsection (b) Subsection (b) shall apply after the application of this subsection. (e) Limitation on minority discounts For purposes of this chapter and chapter 12, in the case of the transfer of any interest in an entity other than an interest which is actively traded (within the meaning of section 1092), no discount shall be allowed by reason of the fact that the transferee does not have control of such entity if the transferor, the transferee, and members of the family (as defined in section 2032A(e)(2)) of the transferor and transferee— (1) have control of such entity, or (2) own the majority of the ownership interests (by value) in such entity. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to transfers after the date of the enactment of this Act. 7. Required minimum 10-year term, etc., for grantor retained annuity trusts (a) In general Subsection (b) of section 2702 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively, and by moving such subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; (2) by striking For purposes of and inserting the following: (1) In general For purposes of ; (3) by striking paragraph (1) or (2) in paragraph (1)(C) (as so redesignated) and inserting subparagraph (A) or (B) ; and (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Additional requirements with respect to grantor retained annuities For purposes of subsection (a), in the case of an interest described in paragraph (1)(A) (determined without regard to this paragraph) which is retained by the transferor, such interest shall be treated as described in such paragraph only if— (A) the right to receive the fixed amounts referred to in such paragraph is for a term of not less than 10 years, (B) such fixed amounts, when determined on an annual basis, do not decrease relative to any prior year during the first 10 years of the term referred to in subparagraph (A), and (C) the remainder interest has a value equal to or greater than 10 percent of the value of the assets transferred to the trust, determined as of the time of the transfer. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to transfers made after the date of the enactment of this Act. 8. Certain transfer tax rules applicable to grantor trusts (a) In general Subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter: 16 Special rules for grantor trusts Sec. 2901. Application of transfer taxes. 2901. Application of transfer taxes (a) In general In the case of any portion of a trust to which this section applies— (1) the value of the gross estate of the deceased deemed owner of such portion shall include all assets attributable to that portion at the time of the death of such owner, (2) any distribution from such portion to one or more beneficiaries during the life of the deemed owner of such portion shall be treated as a transfer by gift for purposes of chapter 12, and (3) if at any time during the life of the deemed owner of such portion, such owner ceases to be treated as the owner of such portion under subpart E of part 1 of subchapter J of chapter 1, all assets attributable to such portion at such time shall be treated for purposes of chapter 12 as a transfer by gift made by the deemed owner. (b) Portion of trust to which section applies This section shall apply to— (1) the portion of a trust with respect to which the grantor is the deemed owner, and (2) the portion of the trust to which a person who is not the grantor is a deemed owner by reason of the rules of subpart E of part 1 of subchapter J of chapter 1, and such deemed owner engages in a sale, exchange, or comparable transaction with the trust that is disregarded for purposes of subtitle A. For purposes of paragraph (2), the portion of the trust described with respect to a transaction is the portion of the trust attributable to the property received by the trust in such transaction, including all retained income therefrom, appreciation thereon, and reinvestments thereof, net of the amount of consideration received by the deemed owner in such transaction. (c) Exceptions This section shall not apply to— (1) any trust that is includible in the gross estate of the deemed owner (without regard to subsection (a)(1)), and (2) any other type of trust that the Secretary determines by regulations or other guidance does not have as a significant purpose the avoidance of transfer taxes. (d) Deemed owner defined For purposes of this section, the term deemed owner means any person who is treated as the owner of a portion of a trust under subpart E of part 1 of subchapter J of chapter 1. (e) Reduction for taxable gifts to trust made by owner The amount to which subsection (a) applies shall be reduced by the value of any transfer by gift by the deemed owner to the trust previously taken into account by the deemed owner under chapter 12. (f) Liability for payment of tax Any tax imposed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a liability of the trust. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of chapters for subtitle B of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Chapter 16. special rules for grantor trusts . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply— (1) to trusts created on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, (2) to any portion of a trust established before the date of the enactment of this Act which is attributable to a contribution made on or after such date, and (3) to any portion of a trust established before the date of the enactment of this Act to which section 2901(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (a)) applies by reason of a transaction described in section 2901(b)(2) of such Code on or after such date. 9. Elimination of generation-skipping transfer tax exemption for certain trusts (a) In general Section 2642 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Elimination of GST exemption for certain trusts (1) In general (A) Transfers from non-qualifying trusts In the case of any generation-skipping transfer made from a trust that is not a qualifying trust, the inclusion ratio with respect to any property transferred in such transfer shall be 1. (B) Qualifying trust For purposes of this subsection, the term qualifying trust means a trust for which the date of termination of such trust is not greater than 50 years after the date on which such trust is created. (2) Trusts created before date of enactment In the case of any trust created before the date of the enactment of this subsection, such trust shall be deemed to be a qualifying trust for a period of 50 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection. (3) Date of creation of certain deemed separate trusts In the case of any portion of a trust which is treated as a separate trust under section 2654(b)(1), such separate trust shall be treated as created on the date of the first transfer described in such section with respect to such separate trust. (4) Date of creation of pour-over trusts In the case of any generation-skipping transfer of property which involves the transfer of property from 1 trust to another trust, the date of the creation of the transferee trust shall be treated as being the earlier of— (A) the date of the creation of such transferee trust, or (B) the date of the creation of the transferor trust. In the case of multiple transfers to which the preceding sentence applies, the date of the creation of the transferor trust shall be determined under the preceding sentence before the application of the preceding sentence to determine the date of the creation of the transferee trust. (5) Regulations The Secretary may prescribe such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this subsection. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 10. Simplifying gift tax exclusion for annual gifts (a) In general Paragraph (1) of section 2503(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: (1) In general (A) Limit per donee In the case of gifts made to any person by the donor during the calendar year, the first $10,000 of such gifts to such person shall not, for purposes of subsection (a), be included in the total amount of gifts made during such year. (B) Cumulative limit per donor (i) In general The aggregate amount excluded under subparagraph (A) with respect to all transfers described in clause (ii) made by the donor during the calendar year shall not exceed twice the dollar amount in effect under such subparagraph for such calendar year. (ii) Transfers subject to limitation The transfers described in this clause are— (I) a transfer in trust, (II) a transfer of an interest in a passthrough entity, (III) a transfer of an interest subject to a prohibition on sale, and (IV) any other transfer of property that, without regard to withdrawal, put, or other such rights in the donee, cannot immediately be liquidated by the donee. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 2503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (c). (c) Regulations The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of the Treasury's delegate, may prescribe such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the amendments made by this section. (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to any calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.