The Life Planning 101 Podcast
Episodes

Thursday May 15, 2025
Thinking About Gifting to Your Children?
Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
This week Angela discusses the complexities and risks involved in gifting significant assets to children, such as land or businesses. She emphasizes the importance of proper planning and professional advice to avoid costly tax consequences and unintended liabilities. The episode focuses particularly on the tax implications of gifting versus inheriting assets and the importance of understanding cost basis.
Key Takeaways đź’ˇ
Many parents consider gifting significant assets like land, money, or business interests to their children as they age, but often do so without seeking comprehensive advice, which can lead to costly mistakes. Even when advice is sought, it is frequently from professionals who may not have a holistic understanding of estate and tax planning, resulting in overlooked risks.
Gifting assets without proper planning can expose the family to various risks including lawsuits, creditor claims, divorce risks affecting gifted assets, business liabilities of the recipient, and strained family relationships. Additionally, gifting can unintentionally disinherit grandchildren or transfer assets to unintended parties, such as a new spouse of a child’s widow(er).
One of the most significant and common financial pitfalls of gifting assets is the increase in taxes, particularly due to the transfer of the original cost basis to the recipient. When a gifted asset is sold, the recipient pays capital gains tax based on the original purchase price, which can be much higher than if the asset was inherited.
Cost basis is the original value of an asset for tax purposes, usually the purchase price minus any depreciation taken. When an asset is gifted, the recipient inherits the donor’s cost basis, meaning they may face large capital gains taxes upon sale. In contrast, if the asset is inherited after the donor’s death, the cost basis is stepped up to the asset’s fair market value at the time of death, potentially eliminating capital gains tax if sold immediately.
This difference in cost basis treatment between gifting and inheritance can result in significant tax savings if assets are held until death rather than gifted during life. For example, land purchased decades ago often has a very low cost basis compared to its current market value, so gifting it can trigger large capital gains taxes for the recipient upon sale.
Even if the family does not plan to sell the gifted assets, the cost basis remains important for other reasons, such as depreciation recapture on inherited rental properties or equipment. Inherited assets receive a stepped-up basis, allowing heirs to depreciate the asset anew, which can provide substantial income tax savings over time.
Farmers and ranchers may not realize they can depreciate certain components of their land, such as nutrients, which can offer additional tax benefits. This is an often-overlooked opportunity that can improve cash flow and reduce tax burdens across generations.
Angela stresses the importance of not making gifting decisions alone or without thorough professional guidance. While gifting can be beneficial in some cases, it must be done strategically to avoid unintended tax consequences and other risks. There are creative planning strategies available to mitigate these issues, especially in states like Texas.
The podcast concludes with a reminder that tax laws are complex and constantly changing, and that even accountants and tax professionals may not have complete knowledge of all relevant details. Therefore, a holistic life planning approach involving multiple professionals is essential to protect family wealth and minimize tax liabilities.

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Are You Taking Your Financial Supplements? (Rebroadcast)
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Recently I was speaking with a client about how important it is to take preventative measures in regard to health - eating right, exercising, and taking the right supplements. It is just as important that we take preventative measures in regard to our finances - planning for the worst-case and best-case scenarios, exercising good financial habits, and revisiting your plan on a regular basis to make necessary changes.

Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
12 Tax-Smart Charitable Giving Strategies (Rebroadcast)
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Using an efficient, tax-smart approach to maximize the impact of your charitable giving has never been more important. This week we give you 12 ways to increase your giving power while potentially reducing your taxable income this year and beyond.

Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Family Support Checklist (Rebroadcast)
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
As a life planning firm, it is our mission to help you take the essential steps needed to face each of life’s stages with confidence and clarity. We were asked if we could compile a list of the things that need to be addressed on every level when you find it necessary to assume physical, emotional, and financial responsibility for your parents.

Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Are You Prepared for the Estate Tax Sunset?
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
We were honored to have tax attorney Kyle Post join us this week as our guest. Kyle discusses some of the changes we may have coming our way after the election in regards to your estate and taxes. You don’t want to miss this.

Thursday Sep 19, 2024
2024 Election and Taxes
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Let’s face it…No one wants to talk politics these days, but facts are facts. We are approaching a presidential election, so politics need to be top of mind. This week we look at the current tax proposal of each candidate. No matter what your political views are, be sure that you get out and vote on election day.

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tax Reform Sunset on the Horizon
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Can you hear it? It’s those two, ominous notes from the movie Jaws to let you know we are drawing nearer and nearer to the almost inevitable…the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This could mean that higher income taxes and estate taxes are headed your way.

Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Have You Outgrown Your Advisor?
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
I believe one of the hardest things to do is find the “right fit” advisor for you and your family. Because of this, I thought I might take a minute to educate you a little about our industry.

Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Life After Graduation (Rebroadcast)
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Graduation is a major step for those important young adults in our life. A parent’s goal is always to see their kids launch successfully and stay successfully launched. How do you do that? Well, we have few ideas for you.
You can read the corresponding article on our website at: https://www.kennedy-financial.com/blog/life-after-graduation-what-should-your-kids-know.

Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Is Your IRA a Tax Nightmare?
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
For many Americans, putting money back into a retirement account such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA has been their primary choice to save for retirement. The problem with this is: The IRS is going tax you…either coming or going. Here are some important things you need to consider.

Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Are You Taking Your Financial Supplements?
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Recently I was speaking with a client about how important it is to take preventative measures in regard to health - eating right, exercising, and taking the right supplements. It is just as important that we take preventative measures in regard to our finances - planning for the worst-case and best-case scenarios, exercising good financial habits, and revisiting your plan on a regular basis to make necessary changes.

Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
When to Start Planning (Rebroadcast)
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Angela was honored to be a guest on the Real Wealth podcast with Jim Silbernagel to share the benefits and pitfalls that could occur when starting a financial strategy later in life. Please enjoy this gem from our archive.