SMARTER ESTATE & TRUST
TAX STRATEGY
Strategic estate and trust tax planning so you can build & protect your legacy for generations to come.
CHECK THESE SIX POINTS FOR SUCCESS.
MAXIMIZE ESTATE &
TRUST DEDUCTIONS
Reduce taxable income through strategic deduction planning tailored for estates and trusts.
- Claim all allowable administrative expenses
- Deduct trustee, executor, and legal fees appropriately
- Allocate income and deductions between estate/trust and beneficiaries
STREAMLINE MULTI-
BENEFICIARY TAX REPORTING
Simplify compliance for estates and trusts with multiple heirs or income recipients.
- Prepare and file accurate Schedule K-1s for beneficiaries
- Allocate income, deductions, and credits correctly among beneficiaries
- Ensure timely reporting to avoid penalties
- Implement systems for tracking income
OPTIMIZE INCOME
DISTRIBUTION & TAX TIMING
Minimize tax burdens through strategic timing of distributions and income allocations..
- Evaluate distribution vs. accumulation strategies
- Use 65-day rule for flexible year-end planning
- Time income recognition to align with lower-bracket beneficiaries
- Shift income to lower-taxed individuals or entities
NAVIGATE COMPLEX
FIDUCIARY TAX RULES
Understand fiduciary responsibilities and avoid tax traps in estate and trust management..
- Determine fiduciary income vs. principal allocations
- Apply distributable net income (DNI) correctly
- Stay compliant with fiduciary accounting standards
- Address state-specific fiduciary filing requirements
MAXIMIZE CREDITS & CHARITABLE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Incorporate philanthropic goals while maximizing tax efficiency for the estate or trust.
- Use charitable trusts (CRTs, CLTs) for planned giving
- Claim income tax and estate tax charitable deductions
- Structure gifts to optimize donor and beneficiary tax positions
- Align charitable planning with overall estate strategy
PLAN FOR SUCCESSION & LONG-TERM WEALTH TRANSFER
Preserve family wealth through proactive estate planning and trust structuring.
- Minimize estate tax exposure with lifetime exemption strategies
- Leverage irrevocable trusts for asset protection
- Implement generation-skipping transfer (GST) planning
- Align trust structure with long-term family goals
TAX STRATEGY BUILT
FOR ESTATES & TRUSTS.
Passing down wealth is more than a legal process—it’s a financial strategy.
We help families and fiduciaries reduce estate taxes, structure trusts for tax efficiency, and ensure assets are passed on with minimal loss. From generation-skipping strategies to charitable trusts and tax-smart gifting, we guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re preparing your own legacy or managing one, we’ll help you preserve wealth and avoid costly missteps.
Because smart families don’t just plan for tomorrow. They plan for generations.
WORKING WITH ANTHEM: WHAT TO EXPECT
Our proven tax strategy process can be broken down into four simple steps. Throughout the process, you’ll get a clear roadmap that leads to real results.
You’ll know exactly what actions to take in order to minimize tax burden and maximize long-term growth. Here’s how we work with you:
WORKING WITH ANTHEM: WHAT TO EXPECT
Our proven tax strategy process can be broken down into four simple steps. Throughout the process, you’ll get a clear roadmap that leads to real results.
You’ll know exactly what actions to take in order to minimize tax burden and maximize long-term growth. Here’s how we work with you:
Get a Free Discovery Meeting.
ESTATE PLANNING:
HELPFUL RESOURCES
FEATURED PODCAST EPISODE:
SHOULD I PAY MY KIDS THROUGH MY BUSINESS?
Hiring your kids = major tax savings? Let’s break it down.
Paying your kids through your business can be a powerful tax-saving strategy—if done correctly. Not only can it reduce your taxable income, but your child may also pay little to no federal income tax on what they earn. But this only works if your child is doing legitimate work, you’re paying a reasonable wage, and you’re following the right IRS rules.
TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS
OUR ESTATE AND TRUST
TAX PLANNING TEAM
Our team of estate and trust tax strategy experts is staffed by professionals well experienced in this challenging niche. Team members stay abreast of the many changes in federal and state tax and regulation occurring yearly and are always backed up by partner-level supervision and oversight.
All our services are offered in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
CURRENT BLOGS & ARTICLES
FAQs
Estate planning is about how your assets will be distributed after your death. Estate tax planning goes a step further—it focuses on reducing the tax burden on your estate and heirs through strategies like gifting, trusts, and valuation discounts.
It depends on your goals. Revocable living trusts don’t reduce estate taxes, but they help avoid probate. Irrevocable trusts—like grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), and charitable remainder trusts (CRTs)—can be powerful tools to transfer wealth tax-efficiently.
Yes. Most trusts require an annual income tax return (Form 1041). The trust may owe taxes on undistributed income, and beneficiaries may receive a K-1 for income they’re taxed on. We help trustees stay compliant and optimize the tax impact.
As of 2025, the federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million per person—but it’s scheduled to drop by half in 2026 unless Congress acts. Proactive planning now can help high-net-worth families lock in today’s higher limits.
When someone passes away, most of their assets receive a “step-up” in basis to fair market value. This can significantly reduce capital gains taxes for heirs if they sell the assets later. Strategic planning can ensure the step-up is preserved or enhanced.
Business owners often use trusts to transfer company shares to heirs while minimizing estate and gift taxes. Techniques like gifting minority interests, using valuation discounts, or pairing with life insurance trusts can protect the business and the family legacy.
No. Some of the most effective estate tax strategies take time to execute and require multiple years of gifting or structuring. Starting early means more options and better results—especially with changing tax laws on the horizon.
WHY ANTHEM
For over 40 years, Anthem Strategists has been serving individuals, families, and business owners across the Pacific Northwest & beyond. We navigate the tax hurdles, so you can keep what you earn.
Since our beginnings, we’ve grown to accommodate the ever-changing needs of our clients – and now bring our expertise to meet the complex needs of individuals and families in the process of estate planning.