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Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

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($10,000) regardless of the actual amount of income earned. Does this<br />

meet the “independent economic effect” requirement? The IRS could<br />

argue that because the amount paid to the church does not change based<br />

upon the amount of income earned by the estate, there is no independent<br />

economic effect other than the tax consequences. This author has serious<br />

doubts regarding whether this provision would be honored.<br />

Note: This author could find no guidance on the amount of independent<br />

economic effect that was sufficient to meet this standard. Arguably, even a small<br />

independent economic effect could be created by creatively re-writing the will<br />

provision to read:<br />

Alternate #1: I give all income earned by my estate to my church. If the<br />

total of this income is not at least equal to 10% of my net probate estate, I<br />

give my church an additional amount equal to 99% of the difference<br />

between the income earned by my estate and 10% of my net probate<br />

estate.<br />

Under that provision, if the income earned by the estate is $3,000, then the<br />

supplemental gift will give $6,930 (99% of the shortfall) and the total gift<br />

will be $9,930. If the estate’s income is only $2,000, then the<br />

supplemental gift will be $7,920 and the total gift will be $9,920 ($10<br />

less). The gift to the charity was different because the income was lower.<br />

Is a $10 difference enough to create economic effect that is independent of<br />

the tax consequences?<br />

Alternate #2: I direct that my personal representative pay to [charity] all<br />

of the interest income earned or received from interest-bearing assets<br />

owned by my estate during administration. I direct my personal<br />

representative to invest estate assets to ensure that my estate will earn at<br />

least $4,900 of interest income to fund this gift. If the total interest income<br />

earned by my estate exceeds $5,000, then the maximum gift under this<br />

paragraph shall be capped at $5 ,000.<br />

Under each of these versions of the will, the total gift to the charity will<br />

vary (slightly) based upon the amount of income earned during estate<br />

administration. Are either of these alternatives enough to at least<br />

artificially create an independent economic effect other than the income<br />

tax consequences?<br />

17

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