Tag Archives: Beneficiaries inheriting property from parents

Why California Families Inheriting Property Should Consider Borrowing Against An Irrevocable Trust

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Trusts

Trusts and Estates

Family Trust Debt Relief, After Mom and Dad Are Gone

Life in the 2020’s in California, and the United States in general, for middle class and even affluent families, is never all smooth and easy. There are always problems to deal with, legal or economic issues… family relationship disputes, or business conflicts people bring home with them, that often causes rifts between family members…

When a parent leaving property and assets to children passes away, they still, frequently, owe expenses, they often owe money to creditors, if they were elderly prior to passing away parents frequently leave this earth owing medical fees, sometimes legal fees to their family attorney, possibly hospital and lab test expenses, even mortgage payments, and more and more frequently these days – property taxes. There might also be debts owed to other beneficiaries of the trust they are leaving behind for their heirs.

When parents leave a trust behind for their children, who now become beneficiary siblings, there is frequently not enough liquidity in the family trust estate to make pay all these debts. Getting approved for a trust loan by a trust & estate lender like, for example, Commercial Loan Corp in Newport Beach, can produce the required cash to help resolve those kinds of family debts.

Buying Out Co-Beneficiary Siblings In California

As is often the case, parents leave a home to their children, which couldn’t be purchased and duplicated in today’s market for even close to what Mom and Dad pad for it a generation ago, or what Grandma and Grandpa paid for it two generations ago.

Yet there are always more sibling beneficiaries wanting to sell off their inherited property shares after Mom and Dad pass on, than there are beneficiaries or, more likely, one beneficiary who insists on not selling out and keeping Mom and Dad’s home… the family home.

Quite often, needless to say, serious disputes may arise between siblings over a contentious lack of agreement like this, whether to sell or to retain, a family home, where so much is at stake.

Frankly, these family conflicts sometime grow so out of control that family members aren’t even able to agree on the valuated price they believe their family home to be worth! So disputes can grow even more heated and convoluted stemming from an issue like that.

Avoiding Property Tax Reassessment In All 58 CA Counties

This is where an irrevocable trust, working in conjunction with Proposition 19 (formerly Proposition 58) can make it possible for you to take advantage of a parent-to-child exclusion from current property tax reassessment… and thereby actually avoid property reassessment at present day tax rates. Saving your family from a crippling tax hike. Finally, thanks to Proposition 19, property tax exclusions can  be utilized in all 58 counties in California.

Even affluent families would feel the bite of a tax hike like this, going back two, even three generations’ worth of reassessment imposed by the County Tax Assessor, and possibly suffer serious financial impact.

A Win-Win Family Property Solution For CA Beneficiaries

All of these financial issues can obviously cause a great deal of strife and stress among family members… However, with a wise attorney around to extend sound advice, a win-win financial solution can be implemented for homeowners… and certainly for beneficiaries inheriting property from parents, who either want to sell off their inherited property shares, or who wish to buyout siblings and minimize property reassessment — keeping a low property tax base when inheriting a home.

Frequently, this shows up in the form of an irrevocable trust,  which, working in concert with Proposition 19, will provide a buyout solution where a sibling beneficiary insisting on keeping a family home can buyout siblings looking to sell their inherited property shares, and, at the same time, can certainly minimize property reassessment, through a parent-child exclusion.  In fact, these days, most eligible California homeowners are moving quickly on  new CA property tax relief opportunities — to avoid triggering property reassessment.

Most Californians can avoid property tax reassessment, if they remain alert, with the right to a property tax transfer, to transfer parents property taxes and keep parents property taxes basically forever, upon inheriting property taxes from Mom or Dad with a parent-child transfer, with the help of an estate & trust lender… and possibly an estate attorney specializing in property tax relief, both who can help a family minimize reassessment rapidly and without any issues, if they correctly use Prop 19 property tax breaks.

Plus, siblings selling out their shares will end up with an extra $14,000 or $15,000 in their pocket, as opposed to doing the sale though a realtors, being impacted by their standard 6% realtor commission… and who knows what other fees and ancillary charges also being imposed on them as well. Peace and quiet will descend on the family… with every sibling getting what the want, in a genuine win-win family transaction… Not lip-service, mind you – but the real thing!



What Are the Crucial CA Proposition 19 Property Tax Benefits?

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CA Property Tax Benefits, 2022 Onward

Despite confusing, often deceptive messaging, designed at all  costs to get Proposition 19 voted into law in The Golden State of  California – it’s clear to most Californians that Proposition 19 property tax breaks really will increase property tax relief measures for homeowners over age 55, plus add exclusions from  property taxes for homeowners who are victims of wild-fires and other natural disasters – plus homeowners who are seriously disabled. 

Despite a little juggling with the facts, the slick promotion to get this tax measure voted into law, with attractive promises of improved tax exemptions… it did in fact appear to be a legitimate, believable package of property tax relief benefits for residents of the state of California — as long as you ignored the fine print.

What used to be Proposition 60 (voted into law in 1986, the same year Proposition 58 was passed), helped homeowners over 55 to sell their house and move into another home valuated at the same amount or less – in the same county – maintaining a low property tax base… This has been rolled into Proposition 19, and can be taken at face value… as long as the  California State Board of Equalization (BOE) continues to function as a non-political, fact-based source of CA property tax info – which, according to experts and state economists, it does appear to be doing. 

Experts Weight in on Proposition 19

Gaye Chun, the City National Bank wealth planner confirms, telling us: “The idea was to make it easier for seniors to move without worrying about a huge jump in their property tax bill that might be difficult for them to pay.”

Bruce M. Macdonald, an attorney with Carico Macdonald Kil & Benz LLP in El Segundo, CA agrees, stating, “If someone over 55 sold a house for $5 million, but they were paying taxes on a lower assessed value based on their original purchase price, they could buy a new house for $2 million and still pay taxes at their original, lower tax assessment.” No doubt, a truly significant improvement to a tax hike reflecting current or “fair market” property reassessment.

Tax Assessments and Property Tax Breaks in California

Property taxes are typically based on assessed value rather than current fair market value.  In most states, tax assessments are conducted every one to five years and are not changed when a property is sold or transferred as a gift or inheritance.

In California, to everyone’s relief, property tax relief measures have been voted into law to limit tax assessed value of property, as well as capping property tax rates, plus enabling beneficiaries inheriting property from parents to avoid high property tax reassessment – establishing a low property tax base right away, when inheriting a home from parents.

Much has been said about property tax relief on the critical side, by realtors and high net worth business people that benefit from tax increases… However, if you talk to working families, middle class Californians, and even upper middle class homeowners – you will hear nothing but praise for property tax relief laws such as Proposition 13, passed in 1978; and Proposition 58, passed in 1986 – enabling middle class families to avoid CA property reassessment… making tax breaks available to homeowners and beneficiaries such as property tax transfer; with the ability to transfer parents property taxes when inheriting property while keeping a low property tax base; with the right to keep parents property taxes basically forever… inheriting property taxes without issue from Dad or Mom whenever they pass. 

Giving beneficiaries the ability to avoid CA property reassessment through parent to child transfer and a parent-to-child exclusion is a major asset to middle class residents in California; as well as being able to  take advantage of Proposition 19, in conjunction with a loan to an irrevocable trust to buyout siblings’ share of inherited property – keeping a close eye on mistakes to avoid when transferring a property tax base.  Now, the ability to avoid CA property reassessment and other property tax relief  benefits are under serious threat.  

All of  this was planned, launched and protected by Howard Jarvis and his famous  Taxpayers Association, as well as others who joined in the effort beginning in the mid 1970s, when property tax increases were basically out of control… often forcing elderly widows and others living on a fixed income, literally onto the street with their furniture piled up around them on the sidewalk!

Not the way anyone with a conscience would want elderly Californians to end up, in the Autumn of their life – simply to benefit a few real estate firms who will make more money from increased sales (with more homes for sale due to increased inability to pay rising taxes), with the CA Legislature piling up tax revenue higher and higher as property tax revenue increases. Perhaps helpful to a few in the short term… but with dire consequences in the long term for the entire state.

Experts Weigh In on CA Property Tax Relief

“In 1978, California voters approved Prop. 13, a constitutional amendment known as ‘The People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation’ that was meant to protect older residents who were unable to keep up with large property tax increases”, Gaye Chun tells us; and adds, “Several propositions since then have tinkered with property taxes.”

“Homeowners who plan to transfer their residence to their children now or as part of their inheritance should seek professional advice, so they understand the impact of the new property tax rules”, asserts Bruce Macdonald, the well known attorney in El Segundo.

“Current changes in property tax rules could be significant for some families, because it’s not that unusual in California to have a house that was assessed at $150,000 when the parents bought it, to be worth $5 million 40 years later,” Mr. Macdonald, Esq. explains; adding, “When the kids could inherit their parents’ house at the assessed value of $150,000, the property taxes would be approximately $1,500. Now, if the house is assessed at $5 million, that would incur a significantly higher tax bill!”

Experts in California tell us that this points to all the more reason for repealing Proposition 19… as well as adding more concrete protections to keep Proposition 13 safe from anti-property-tax-relief realtors and the politicians that are firmly in their pocket.

Property Tax Relief for All Californians

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Proposition 13 – 34% Against Versus 62.6% For

On June 6, 1978 Proposition 13 passed as a property tax relief measure with 4,280,689 votes for – versus 2,326,167 votes against. In the final analysis, it came down to finally taking a great deal of power away from the County Tax Collectors; and giving it back to taxpayers!

Howard Jarvis and Paul Gann, were the best known Proposition 13 advocates. Officially known as the “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation”,  also referred to as the Jarvis-Gann Amendment,  Proposition 13 was listed for voters through the so-called “California ballot initiative process” – which allows a constitutional amendment to be offered to voters when political advocates assemble a certain number of signatures on  a petition.     

For Once, Tax Relief for the Middle Class in California – Not Special Interests

Many people aren’t aware of the fact that Mr. Jarvis was a hugely successful residential apt. building owner, and Mr. Gann, a political activist who passed away from HIV due to infected blood from a unfortunate transfusion, who ironically devoted the last several years of his life to AIDS treatment advocacy – in direct opposition to his fellow conservatives. California’s “Paul Gann Blood Safety Act” was passed into law in 1990, mandating that doctors discuss the risks of blood transfusion with their patients.

Two non-politicians named Howard Jarvis and Paul Gann courageously soldiered on – without precedence – until they won the day. This rarely occurs in political circles, as we all know.  But for once, some non-politicians actually changed things for the better in California. And virtually overnight, once Howard Jarvis and his so-called “Tax Revolt” passed Proposition 13, property tax rates in California finally became predictable and equitable – from San Jose to San Francisco and beyond, in all 58 counties.

Under this new property tax relief measure, the property tax rate is now set at a uniform 1% throughout the state, and property tax increases are limited to no more than 2% a year as long as the property is not sold.

Previously, the tax rate in California averaged almost 3% of market value, and there were no limits on increases either for the tax rate or property value assessments. Some properties were reassessed 50% to 100% higher in just one year, so property owners’ tax bills skyrocketed, often  way beyond homeowners’ ability to pay their property taxes.

Now, once sold, property is reassessed at 1% of the new market value (usually the sales price) with a 2% cap on annual tax increases. As a result, new buyers are always aware of what their taxes will be and know the maximum amount property taxes can increase each year for as long as they own the property. 

Then, in 1986, Amendment Proposition 58 was passed; and  homeowners as well as beneficiaries inheriting property from parents could happily take advantage of a transfer of property between siblings or sibling-to-sibling property transfer in conjunction with an irrevocable trust loan, typically for buying out inherited property shares from siblings, while keeping a low property tax base (now used with California Proposition 19 which has replaced Proposition 58). 

Overnight, beneficiaries  could transfer parents property taxes when inheriting property taxes; and could keep parents property taxes after a property tax transfer made possible by a parent-child transfer, officially a parent-to-child exclusion which, exactly like buying out inherited property shares, is also now governed by Proposition 19.  

Benefits for Non Property Owners

While Proposition 13 is mainly famous for capping property taxes in California, it also stops arbitrary tax hikes at the state and local level. It makes sure that any state tax increase had to be approved by a 2/3 majority in the Legislature, and any new or increased local taxation must be approved by voters, not just a collection of special interest politicians.

Supplemented by Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association – a co-sponsored tax measure entitled Proposition 218 (the Right to Vote on Taxes Act) makes sure that voter approval of all new local taxes is required, no matter what. So not just property owners, but also renters, benefit – as Proposition 13 stabilizes property taxes, making them predictable and reasonably controlled; reducing any uncontrolled or unexpected rent increases throughout the state of California.

PART TWO: The CA Proposition 15 Split-Roll “Trojan Horse” Commercial Property Tax is Coming Up for a Vote!

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2020 California Proposition 15

2020 California Proposition 15

Gifting & Inheriting Property: Property Tax Relief Basics

Gifting your primary house, or secondary inherited property to your adult children – is it worth it?  We imagine for many it is, otherwise why would they do it?  And for others, well… what can you say, it’s simply a matter of subjective opinion.  And let’s never  forget that under Proposition 13 in California you can get the same low tax base benefits applied to your first primary residence inheritance to a secondary inherited property.  So there are built in benefits. 

Also, there are emotional reasons not just financial ones involved in all this…  It’s a real gift of love that often leads to an even closer relationship. And your offspring should realize that, and most probably do. In simple terms, it may be a principal residence, and that type of transfer may actually cause future tax appreciation of the value of that home, as a taxable item, when it might otherwise have avoided property tax reassessment if the property had remained in the decedent’s name with Proposition 13 transfer of property tax relief benefits. 

Nationwide Property Tax Relief Urgently Needed for Residential & Commercial Property Owners in a Severe, Pandemic Economy

This is the biggest problem for most beneficiaries, middle class  property owners and elderly home owners – i.e., property taxes; transfer taxes; etc.  This often forces folks to sell a beloved inherited property, as they simply can’t afford to pay the taxes on it every year, deal with utilities, upkeep, repairs, and so on.

We should all address the fact that, especially now, in the midst of an unprecedented Pandemic, with literally tens of millions of Americans out of work or  under-employed – with over 12 million people staring down the dark tunnel of foreclosure or eviction – every state in the union should be adopting, without delay, the same sort of property tax relief as California’s 1978 Proposition 13, as well as other critical property tax relief measures such as CA Proposition 58 property tax transfer benefits, voted into law in 1986.

At the risk of stating the obvious, it’s worth noting that these tax relief measures have become life-savers to property owners, as well as renters who enjoy lower rentals due to the ability their landlords have to avoid property tax reassessment.  We’re all aware of what things were like pre-1978, before Proposition 13 came about and began preventing the frequent foreclosures of the 1970’s, where we saw numerous elderly widows with fixed incomes being thrown out of their homes, literally onto the street, because they could not afford to pay egregiously high, unpredictable property taxes.

In fact, most middle class home owners at that time had trouble paying unusually high tax rates, and lived year to year with the shadow of the California ‘property tax guillotine’ looming over their heads.  In fact that is exactly what the situation looks like in many states now,  or in many expensive counties.  This is where the major problem is with most middle class estates, not with estate planning. Without property tax benefits, as in California, many beneficiaries inheriting property from parents simply can’t afford the upkeep and property taxes on an inherited home, and frequently are forced to sell their parents’ property right away. Often against their will.
 
We hear a great deal of chatter lately, among realtors and real estate attorneys in various states, about “adopting a property tax shelter” for all property tax transfers, when inheriting a home from a parent.  Or we can simply call it “property tax relief” similar to property tax benefits that are taken for granted in California; with Proposition 13, or during a property tax transfer or a sibling property share buyout; utilizing CA Proposition 58, and a trust loan – keeping property taxes much lower on a permanent basis, avoiding property tax reassessment basically forever.  

Beneficiaries who are inheriting property from a parent or step-parent  in any of the 58 counties in the state of California are generally protected from property tax reassessment. And have a low tax base to look forward to, not to exceed 2% as stipulated by California Proposition 13.

And let’s not forget having the ability to make good use of a loan to an irrevocable trust, working in concert with Proposition 58, something a lot of people don’t know anything about. With trust loans from trust lenders being used to equalize cash to beneficiaries looking to sell an inherited property held up by beneficiaries of the same trust, looking to keep the same inherited home and/or land… For once making scenarios like that a win-win situation for everyone associated with an estate or trust, with a trust loan from a reliable trust lender. Instead of experiencing problematic family conflicts revolving around property issues. 

Residential & Business Property Tax Breaks in All States

Beneficiaries and home owners, as well as commercial and industrial property owners of all types, all across America, should be getting familiar with the way they implement property tax breaks in California. How they handle having the right to keep parents property taxes, to transfer parents property taxes, when inheriting property taxes. If, by any chance you reside in California, and you happen to be a beneficiary inheriting property from your parents, consider yourself very lucky. This is why so many real estate lawyers in various locations these days strongly believe every state should have a property tax measure similar to Proposition 13 transfer of property and inheriting property taxes; and Proposition 58 property transfer tax benefits. 

So if every state in the United States had a Proposition 13 and Prop 58 type of property tax relief system… and could make good use of ancillary tax breaks such as buying out inherited property shares from siblings intent on selling out — through a loan to a trust, from a specialty trust lender; using a trust loan in conjunction with Proposition 58 to permanently solidify a low property tax base, made possible by Proposition 13; given the legal right (in every state, not just California)  to avoid property tax reassessment.

Therefore, every property owner in America dealing with inherited property in trust or in an estate; perhaps also addressing sibling conflicts revolving around who wants to keep inherited property versus who insists on selling, and who can buyout whom, using a trust loan, in order to keep inherited property in the family; avoiding property tax reassessment basically forever.  Everyone with these types of sibling property conflicts or property tax issues of any kind, even just the ability to pay them – would walk away happy… and for once all estate or trust family related conflicts would wind up as a win-win inheritance scenario, every single time these property tax measures were employed.

>> Click Here for Part Three…