Showing posts with label 412(i). Show all posts
Showing posts with label 412(i). Show all posts
The Irrevocable Trust Cash Release Program - HG.org
The Irrevocable Trust Cash Release Program
Through a special program, created by Money Watch Consultants Inc., called The Irrevocable Trust Cash Release Program, funds from the insured’s irrevocable trust can be released and made available to pay for long term care, in a facility or at home. And this care can even be provided by a family member.
The amounts of funds that can be made available are typically a vast multiple of the funds currently in the trust. Despite the leveraging, due to the unique structuring of the program, the funds in excess of the initial deposits, and prior to the death of the insured, are received by the trust, and paid out of the trust, on a tax free basis.
This program has recently attracted much attention because Congress has just extended estate tax exemptions to 5 million dollars for individuals and 10 million dollars for married couples. Thus many people who have set up and funded various irrevocable trusts in order to pay their estate taxes, feel that they are no longer needed.
This program gives them the ability to dramatically leverage these funds to pay for health care that they anticipate may eventually be required, without worrying about liquidating assets or making withdrawals on retirement accounts.
The latest development in irrevocable trust management can solve the insured’s desire to get, tax free cash out of the underused insurance policy when most needed, and prior to dying.
Through a special legal loophole, needed funds from the insured’s irrevocable trust can be released and made available to whoever you want, including yourself. Lance Wallach, who wrote the CPA's guide to trusts and estates, and other continuing education books read by CPA's attorneys and financial planners and associate William Kaufman have spent years studying the problem... Most life insurance trusts are underperforming, often requiring [Bill Kaufman] much greater premiums than anticipated. If they were properly designed, no more premiums would be due. Many policies in trusts are rapidly using up their insurance cash values, dramatically underperforming, and are at risk of failing altogether. There are many other problems with almost all of the trusts examined. If you advised your client on these matters, or serve as trustee for him/her, you may have a contingent liability suit on these matters, should the life insurance fail.
Now cash can be released to be used when really needed. Most attorneys, CPA’S, planners etc. that have heard me speak at thousands of national conventions don’t have a clue about the problems. Most of them even created some of these problems for their clients, who are also not aware. As an expert witness Lance Wallach has never lost a case. This does not necessate a lawsuit, just a simple fix. Make sure if you advisor tries it, he has successfully helped others with the program. If done wrong the IRS will come calling, Google Lance Wallach for articles on point. Despite the leveraging, due to the unique structuring of the program, the funds in excess of the initial deposits, and prior to the death of the insured, are received by the trust, and paid out of the trust, on a tax free basis.
If you have an insurance or similar trust you probably have lots of money in it. You may also have lots of problems that will not be discovered until you die. We have been consulted by many beneficiaries with these problems, usually after being charged thousands of dollars by their law firms to tell them about the problems, but not fix them. The way most of the trusts that we have studied, usually set up by law firms, are structured; the big beneficiaries at death will be the law firms. Worse, insurance in the trusts easily falls apart before death, unless you die young. Get an experienced person to review your trust, either to free up lots of money, or to review for problems before it is too late. [Bill Kaufman] If you don‘t [Bill Kaufman] believe me, than Google Lance Wallach and then Google your advisor and see who is more credible. You have worked hard for your money. Don‘t let poor planning, lawyers greed, insurance agents with big commissions disrupt what you thought was sound planning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lance Wallach, Bill Kaufman
Lance Wallach, National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year and member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals, is a frequent speaker on retirement plans, abusive tax shelters, financial, international tax, and estate planning. He writes about 412(i), 419, Section79, FBAR, and captive insurance plans. He speaks at more than ten conventions annually, writes for over fifty publications, is quoted regularly in the press. He does expert witness testimony and has never lost a case.
Copyright Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC
More information about Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
This program has recently attracted much attention because Congress has just extended estate tax exemptions to 5 million dollars for individuals and 10 million dollars for married couples. Thus many people who have set up and funded various irrevocable trusts in order to pay their estate taxes, feel that they are no longer needed.
This program gives them the ability to dramatically leverage these funds to pay for health care that they anticipate may eventually be required, without worrying about liquidating assets or making withdrawals on retirement accounts.
The latest development in irrevocable trust management can solve the insured’s desire to get, tax free cash out of the underused insurance policy when most needed, and prior to dying.
Through a special legal loophole, needed funds from the insured’s irrevocable trust can be released and made available to whoever you want, including yourself. Lance Wallach, who wrote the CPA's guide to trusts and estates, and other continuing education books read by CPA's attorneys and financial planners and associate William Kaufman have spent years studying the problem... Most life insurance trusts are underperforming, often requiring [Bill Kaufman] much greater premiums than anticipated. If they were properly designed, no more premiums would be due. Many policies in trusts are rapidly using up their insurance cash values, dramatically underperforming, and are at risk of failing altogether. There are many other problems with almost all of the trusts examined. If you advised your client on these matters, or serve as trustee for him/her, you may have a contingent liability suit on these matters, should the life insurance fail.
Now cash can be released to be used when really needed. Most attorneys, CPA’S, planners etc. that have heard me speak at thousands of national conventions don’t have a clue about the problems. Most of them even created some of these problems for their clients, who are also not aware. As an expert witness Lance Wallach has never lost a case. This does not necessate a lawsuit, just a simple fix. Make sure if you advisor tries it, he has successfully helped others with the program. If done wrong the IRS will come calling, Google Lance Wallach for articles on point. Despite the leveraging, due to the unique structuring of the program, the funds in excess of the initial deposits, and prior to the death of the insured, are received by the trust, and paid out of the trust, on a tax free basis.
If you have an insurance or similar trust you probably have lots of money in it. You may also have lots of problems that will not be discovered until you die. We have been consulted by many beneficiaries with these problems, usually after being charged thousands of dollars by their law firms to tell them about the problems, but not fix them. The way most of the trusts that we have studied, usually set up by law firms, are structured; the big beneficiaries at death will be the law firms. Worse, insurance in the trusts easily falls apart before death, unless you die young. Get an experienced person to review your trust, either to free up lots of money, or to review for problems before it is too late. [Bill Kaufman] If you don‘t [Bill Kaufman] believe me, than Google Lance Wallach and then Google your advisor and see who is more credible. You have worked hard for your money. Don‘t let poor planning, lawyers greed, insurance agents with big commissions disrupt what you thought was sound planning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lance Wallach, Bill Kaufman
Lance Wallach, National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year and member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals, is a frequent speaker on retirement plans, abusive tax shelters, financial, international tax, and estate planning. He writes about 412(i), 419, Section79, FBAR, and captive insurance plans. He speaks at more than ten conventions annually, writes for over fifty publications, is quoted regularly in the press. He does expert witness testimony and has never lost a case.
Copyright Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC
More information about Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Section 79 Plans: Section 79, Captive Insurance, IRS Audits and Lawsuits on 419 and 412i Plans
Section 79 Plans: Section 79, Captive Insurance, IRS Audits and Lawsuits on 419 and 412i Plans (click the link to go to the page)
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
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By Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC Abusive Tax Shelter, Listed Transaction, Reportable Transaction Expert Witness
IRS Attacks Business Owners in 419, 412, Section 79 and Captive Insurance Plans Under Section 6707A - By Lance Wallach - Taxpayers who previously adopted 419, 412i, captive insurance or Section 79 plans are in big trouble. In recent years, the IRS has identified many of these arrangements as abusive devices to funnel tax deductible dollars to shareholders and classified these arrangements as listed transactions."
These plans were sold by insurance agents, financial planners, accountants and attorneys seeking large life insurance commissions. In general, taxpayers who engage in a “listed transaction” must report such transaction to the IRS on Form 8886 every year that they “participate” in the transaction, and you do not necessarily have to make a contribution or claim a tax deduction to participate. Section 6707A of the Code imposes severe penalties for failure to file Form 8886 with respect to a listed transaction. But you are also in trouble if you file incorrectly. I have received numerous phone calls from business owners who filed and still got fined. Not only do you have to file Form 8886, but it also has to be prepared correctly. I only know of two people in the U.S. who have filed these forms properly for clients. They tell me that was after hundreds of hours of research and over 50 phones calls to various IRS personnel. The filing instructions for Form 8886 presume a timely filling. Most people file late and follow the directions for currently preparing the forms. Then the IRS fines the business owner. The tax court does not have jurisdiction to abate or lower such penalties imposed by the IRS.
"Many taxpayers who are no longer taking current tax deductions for these plans continue to enjoy the benefit of previous tax deductions by continuing the deferral of income from contributions and deductions taken in prior years."
Many business owners adopted 412i, 419, captive insurance and Section 79 plans based upon representations provided by insurance professionals that the plans were legitimate plans and were not informed that they were engaging in a listed transaction. Upon audit, these taxpayers were shocked when the IRS asserted penalties under Section 6707A of the Code in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Numerous complaints from these taxpayers caused Congress to impose a moratorium on assessment of Section 6707A penalties.
The moratorium on IRS fines expired on June 1, 2010. The IRS immediately started sending out notices proposing the imposition of Section 6707A penalties along with requests for lengthy extensions of the Statute of Limitations for the purpose of assessing tax. Many of these taxpayers stopped taking deductions for contributions to these plans years ago, and are confused and upset by the IRS’s inquiry, especially when the taxpayer had previously reached a monetary settlement with the IRS regarding its deductions. Logic and common sense dictate that a penalty should not apply if the taxpayer no longer benefits from the arrangement. Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.6011-4(c)(3)(i) provides that a taxpayer has participated in a listed transaction if the taxpayer’s tax return reflects tax consequences or a tax strategy described in the published guidance identifying the transaction as a listed transaction or a transaction that is the same or substantially similar to a listed transaction.
Clearly, the primary benefit in the participation of these plans is the large tax deduction generated by such participation. Many taxpayers who are no longer taking current tax deductions for these plans continue to enjoy the benefit of previous tax deductions by continuing the deferral of income from contributions and deductions taken in prior years. While the regulations do not expand on what constitutes “reflecting the tax consequences of the strategy,” it could be argued that continued benefit from a tax deferral for a previous tax deduction is within the contemplation of a “tax consequence” of the plan strategy. Also, many taxpayers who no longer make contributions or claim tax deductions continue to pay administrative fees. Sometimes, money is taken from the plan to pay premiums to keep life insurance policies in force. In these ways, it could be argued that these taxpayers are still “contributing,” and thus still must file Form 8886.
It is clear that the extent to which a taxpayer benefits from the transaction depends on the purpose of a particular transaction as described in the published guidance that caused such transaction to be a listed transaction. Revenue Ruling 2004-20, which classifies 419(e) transactions, appears to be concerned with the employer’s contribution/deduction amount rather than the continued deferral of the income in previous years. Another important issue is that the IRS has called CPAs material advisors if they signed tax returns containing the plan, and got paid a certain amount of money for tax advice on the plan. The fine is $100,000 for the CPA, or $200,000 if the CPA is incorporated. To avoid the fine, the CPA has to properly file Form 8918.
Lance Wallach, National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year and member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals, is a frequent speaker on retirement plans, abusive tax shelters, financial, international tax, and estate planning. He writes about 412(i), 419, Section79, FBAR and captive insurance plans. He speaks at more than ten conventions annually, writes for more than 50 publications, is quoted regularly in the press and has been featured on television and radio financial talk shows including NBC, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and others. Lance has written numerous books including “Protecting Clients from Fraud, Incompetence and Scams,” published by John Wiley and Sons, Bisk Education’s “CPA’s Guide to Life Insurance and Federal Estate and Gift Taxation,” as well as the AICPA best-selling books, including “Avoiding Circular 230 Malpractice Traps and Common Abusive Small Business Hot Spots.” He does expert witness testimony and has never lost a case. Contact him at 516.938.5007, wallachinc@gmail.com or visit www.taxadvisorexpert.com.
"Many taxpayers who are no longer taking current tax deductions for these plans continue to enjoy the benefit of previous tax deductions by continuing the deferral of income from contributions and deductions taken in prior years."
Many business owners adopted 412i, 419, captive insurance and Section 79 plans based upon representations provided by insurance professionals that the plans were legitimate plans and were not informed that they were engaging in a listed transaction. Upon audit, these taxpayers were shocked when the IRS asserted penalties under Section 6707A of the Code in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Numerous complaints from these taxpayers caused Congress to impose a moratorium on assessment of Section 6707A penalties.
The moratorium on IRS fines expired on June 1, 2010. The IRS immediately started sending out notices proposing the imposition of Section 6707A penalties along with requests for lengthy extensions of the Statute of Limitations for the purpose of assessing tax. Many of these taxpayers stopped taking deductions for contributions to these plans years ago, and are confused and upset by the IRS’s inquiry, especially when the taxpayer had previously reached a monetary settlement with the IRS regarding its deductions. Logic and common sense dictate that a penalty should not apply if the taxpayer no longer benefits from the arrangement. Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.6011-4(c)(3)(i) provides that a taxpayer has participated in a listed transaction if the taxpayer’s tax return reflects tax consequences or a tax strategy described in the published guidance identifying the transaction as a listed transaction or a transaction that is the same or substantially similar to a listed transaction.
Clearly, the primary benefit in the participation of these plans is the large tax deduction generated by such participation. Many taxpayers who are no longer taking current tax deductions for these plans continue to enjoy the benefit of previous tax deductions by continuing the deferral of income from contributions and deductions taken in prior years. While the regulations do not expand on what constitutes “reflecting the tax consequences of the strategy,” it could be argued that continued benefit from a tax deferral for a previous tax deduction is within the contemplation of a “tax consequence” of the plan strategy. Also, many taxpayers who no longer make contributions or claim tax deductions continue to pay administrative fees. Sometimes, money is taken from the plan to pay premiums to keep life insurance policies in force. In these ways, it could be argued that these taxpayers are still “contributing,” and thus still must file Form 8886.
It is clear that the extent to which a taxpayer benefits from the transaction depends on the purpose of a particular transaction as described in the published guidance that caused such transaction to be a listed transaction. Revenue Ruling 2004-20, which classifies 419(e) transactions, appears to be concerned with the employer’s contribution/deduction amount rather than the continued deferral of the income in previous years. Another important issue is that the IRS has called CPAs material advisors if they signed tax returns containing the plan, and got paid a certain amount of money for tax advice on the plan. The fine is $100,000 for the CPA, or $200,000 if the CPA is incorporated. To avoid the fine, the CPA has to properly file Form 8918.
Lance Wallach, National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year and member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals, is a frequent speaker on retirement plans, abusive tax shelters, financial, international tax, and estate planning. He writes about 412(i), 419, Section79, FBAR and captive insurance plans. He speaks at more than ten conventions annually, writes for more than 50 publications, is quoted regularly in the press and has been featured on television and radio financial talk shows including NBC, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and others. Lance has written numerous books including “Protecting Clients from Fraud, Incompetence and Scams,” published by John Wiley and Sons, Bisk Education’s “CPA’s Guide to Life Insurance and Federal Estate and Gift Taxation,” as well as the AICPA best-selling books, including “Avoiding Circular 230 Malpractice Traps and Common Abusive Small Business Hot Spots.” He does expert witness testimony and has never lost a case. Contact him at 516.938.5007, wallachinc@gmail.com or visit www.taxadvisorexpert.com.
The information provided herein is not intended as legal, accounting, financial or any type of advice for any specific individual or other entity. You should contact an appropriate professional for any such advice.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Investment News - Lance Wallach - 412i and 419 plan litigatation
Investment News - Lance Wallach - 412i and 419 plan litigatation
Many small business owners or doctors have lost money in a 419 plan. The IRS considers most of these plans to be abusive tax shelters. Unfortunately, quite an industry developed over the last decade selling these plans to unwary consumers. The promoters claim that the plan is a legitimate way to invest money without paying taxes. These plans were often marketed through seminars and sometimes by insurance agents and accountants.
The “lucky” participants simply made a lousy investment in unneeded insurance. The rest, however, either received a huge tax bill from the IRS or found they were unable to get back their money when needed. The really unlucky both lost their money and had to pay the IRS. A recent case from the United States Tax Court once again points out the perils in 419 welfare benefit plans. (If you have invested in a similar tax shelter such as a Chapter 79 captive insurance company, 412 plan or shark finned CLATs, keep reading. The same advice probably pertains to you as well.)
The newest decision involves Dr. Jerald White, a physician from Tennessee. He and his wife contributed $200,000 a year to a so-called xelan 419 plan. When xélan pulled the plug on their plan, he converted his plan to one operated by Millennium.
xélan was a membership organization for physicians. It’s stated mission was to offer insurance products to its members. One of their offerings was a “Tax Reduction Program.” Dr. White and his wife signed up and invested $200,000 per year of pre tax dollars. Unlike some of the 419 plans, which involved outright theft, the xelan plan required a significant amount of paperwork and a legal opinion to even join. In other words, it appeared legitimate.
It was not. How the Whites got scammed and how they lost their battle with the IRS is a story worth repeating. There are plenty of lessons to be learned for anyone stuck in one of these or similar plans.
Like many similar welfare benefit plan participants, an insurance agent originally recruited Dr. White after attending an informational seminar. Most participants are very educated and sophisticated. To get folks to part with hundreds of thousands of dollars, the promoters have to put on their “A game.” Most seminars are accompanied by slick marketing materials containing legal and accounting opinions from legitimate lawyers and CPAs.
The xélan plan was funded through life insurance. Their “Tax Reduction Program” 419 plan claimed ability to shelter income by treating the premiums as a necessary business expense. Your money goes in tax-free and after just a couple years you can get your money back without a big tax bill. Of course, the IRS says otherwise.
Relying on the information from xelan’s program materials and accountants, the Whites deducted the $200,000 annual plan premiums from their tax returns.
Ultimately, the IRS disallowed the large deductions claimed by the Whites. The IRS claimed that the Whites’ annual contribution of $200,000 to the 419 plans were not valid business expenses and thus could not be deducted. Hurting the Whites even more, the IRS claimed that in 2003, the Whites should have declared an extra $643,000 in income because that was the value of their policies at the time the xelan plan was ended and technically they became distributable.
A common thread in most of these cases is the attempt to sell huge insurance policies to people that don’t really need the coverage. In order to sweeten the deal, participants are told they can shelter their income from tax and deduct the cost of the premiums as an ordinary and necessary business expense.
No one wins in these cases except the promoter (who charges a fee), insurance companies and agents.
Dr. White took his battle to U.S. Tax Court where he lost. The court ruled that a taxpayer is negligent if he puts his faith in a scheme that on its face offers an improbable result without obtaining an objective, independent opinion as to the scheme’s validity.
Of course, the Whites claimed that they had obtained such opinions and had the right to rely on the legal and opinion and accounting work provided by xelan. Because the accountants and lawyer providing the opinions were paid by xelan, the court ruled they did not qualify as independent. In the words of the court, “A promoter’s self interest makes such ‘advice’ inherently unreliable.”
As noted before, there are many similarities in these cases. Frequently these plans are accompanied by legal opinions from reputable law firms. Unfortunately, the opinions were not drafted to protect the taxpayer. In the case of the xelan plan, the fine print says the opinion was only to be relied upon by the promoter and not the taxpayer.
There is some good news in this story. It is often possible to get back one’s money and recover substantial damages. Although the promoters are usually long out-of-business and have no assets, the insurance agents selling these plans and the insurance companies may be liable. Sometimes accountants and lawyers that truly provide independent reviews and opinions can also be held liable
IRS tax relief firm, Lance Wallach, speaking: Abusive Insurance and Retirement Plans
IRS tax relief firm, Lance Wallach, speaking: Abusive Insurance and Retirement Plans: Abusive Insurance and Retirement Plans As an expert witness Lance Wallach side has never lost a case ...
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