Specifically, the Democrats have proposed a number of significant tax increases and other changes to fund the plan, including increases to personal income tax rates and the capital gains tax rate, along with a major reduction to the federal estate and gift tax exclusion and new restrictions on qualified business income (QBI) deductions.

While the proposed legislation is still under consideration and far from being finalized, given the broad-reaching impact these changes stand to have, we strongly encourage you to take action now if you would be affected by the proposed legislation if it does pass. With the exception of the capital gains rate increase, which could  go into effect on transactions that occur on or after Sept. 13, 2021, most of the proposed changes would be effective after December 31, 2021, meaning that you have time to plan now. 

Specifically, the Democrats have proposed a number of significant tax increases and other changes funding the plan, including increases to personal income tax rates and the capital gains tax rate, along with a major reduction to the federal estate and gift tax exclusion and new restrictions on Grantor Trusts that would basically eliminate such trust’s ability to be used as planning vehicles.

While the proposed legislation is still under consideration and far from being finalized, given the broad-reaching impact these changes stand to have, we strongly encourage you to take action now if you would be affected by the proposed legislation if it does pass. With the exception of the capital gains rate increase, which could go into effect on transactions that occur on or after September 13, 2021, most of the proposed changes would be effective after December 31, 2021, meaning that you have time to plan now.

Building a business from scratch can involve years of working long hours for little to no financial reward. In fact, whether your company is ever able to generate a profit or not, starting your own business can consume your life like few other activities. What’s more, no matter how much you sacrifice, there’s no guarantee the venture still won’t fail miserably.

On the other hand, buying an existing business and successfully making it your own can be somewhat less stressful. After all, you’re buying an operation that has already proven successful, with an existing customer base, brand recognition, and cash flow.

Bob’s philosophy in both painting and life was that there “were no mistakes in life… just happy little accidents.” Sadly, as detailed in the recent Netflix documentary Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed, Bob’s failure to coordinate his business agreements with his estate plan was anything but happy, leaving his only son largely unable to benefit from his father’s fame and fortune. 

Bob’s planning failures led to an ugly court battle between his former business partners and his family, who were fighting to control the lucrative intellectual property rights of the Bob Ross brand. And while Bob’s son Steve ultimately lost his fight to benefit from the business empire built on his father’s persona and painting skills, here in part two, we’ll explain the steps you can take to ensure that your loved ones don’t suffer the same fate and are able to fully benefit from all of your business assets following your death.

In return, you get employees who have a built-in sense of commitment, teamwork, and loyalty that can’t be found anywhere else. This sense of loyalty and dedication is why so many business owners like to claim that their team is “just like family.”

On top of that, employing your minor children also comes with some substantial tax-saving benefits. And with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017, those benefits are now better than ever.

Earn Up to $12,000 Tax Free

Starting in 2018, the TCJA practically doubled the standard deduction, which increased from $6,300 to $12,000. This means your children will pay zero federal income tax on anything they earn up to $12,000. This alone can save you thousands each year.