May 19, 2025 / Press
Robert Strauss Speaks to MarketWatch on Proposed Estate Tax Exemption Increase
Robert Strauss recently lent his insights to MarketWatch on a current tax bill proposal which would increase the estate tax exemption to $15 million in 2026, meaning that estate taxes will continue to primarily affect ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Rob explains that the bill’s perpetual extension is the most interesting element of the proposal, rather than the increase to $15 million.
“Any increase helps, however, for actual high-net-worth clients, an increase of $1 million does not materially change things,” he shares. “The best part of the increase is that the exemption is not being cut in half.”
Rob adds that he believes without “hesitation or equivocation” that the exemption will be extended, but still must account for clients whose estates exceed $15 million and want to undertake estate tax reduction plans, which include setting up trusts, gifting money to heirs and charities, and structuring assets.
“Not every high-net-worth or ultra-high-net-worth client is comfortable giving away all of their assets, and most wealthy clients want to live well, so there is a desire to retain enough assets to do so,” Rob explains. “This can certainly result in estate tax, which is frequently paid with life insurance owned outside of the estate.”