On January 17, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed H.B. 5022 (Public Act 216 of 2024), a taxpayer-friendly bill that makes welcome changes to the state’s flow-through entity (FTE) tax rules. The new rules are effective retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024.

Michigan’s new R&D Tax Credit, effective January 1, 2025, offers incentives for businesses conducting R&D in the state. Large businesses can claim up to $2M, while small businesses can receive up to $250K. An additional credit is available for university collaborations.

As we approach the end of the year, now is the time for individuals, business owners, and family offices to review their 2024 and 2025 tax situations and identify opportunities for reducing, deferring, or accelerating their tax obligations.

The current tax landscape offers a unique opportunity to transfer wealth across generations with optimal tax efficiency. However, the beneficial provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will sunset at the end of 2025, which may significantly impact estate planning strategies. With this in mind, high-net-worth families and individuals should consider the available strategies to mitigate future tax liabilities and preserve wealth for future generations.

For business owners with significant holdings, estate tax liabilities can pose unexpected and considerable challenges, potentially disrupting both the payment of estate taxes and the ongoing operations of the business. Developing a tax-efficient business succession plan is crucial to preserving wealth while ensuring the smooth transfer of business ownership.

It may seem that there will always be time to address estate planning. However, a unique opportunity to maximize the amount of wealth that can be tax-efficiently passed to heirs will expire at the end of 2025.

In this article, we explain why 2024 is an ideal year to prioritize your wealth transfer plans!