Dr. Friday explains why inherited property can receive a step-up in basis, which may reduce future taxes. She cautions that quitclaiming property to children early can be a poor tax decision and mentions the Medicare or Medicaid look-back rules.
Transcript
G’day, I’m Dr. Friday, president of Dr. Friday’s Tax and Financial Firm. To get more info, go to www.drfriday.com. This is a one-minute moment.
Step-up in basis for inherited properties: seems to be a misconception out there of how this works. Because a lot of times I talk to someone and they’re like, oh no, I quitclaim my property to my children, so I knew they would get it. That is not a good tax decision.
It may be a mental or physical or some other kind of decision, but you know, there’s a five-year look back from Medicare or Medicaid. Therefore, unless it’s gonna be something that happens after that, you really just want to let them inherit.
And you know that also applies if a husband and wife own joint property, half of them dies, the other half can get a step-up. Need help? Call me.
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