Taxation of Inter Vivos Trusts

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: CFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.


Additional Knowledge Expected of CFP Professionals
  • Define an inter vivos trust.1
  • Identify how an inter vivos trust is viewed in relation to the parties to the trust for tax purposes. 
  • Explain how property transferred into an inter vivos trust may be treated for tax purposes. 
  • Explain circumstances when a tax-deferred transfer of capital property may be made into an inter vivos trust.2
  • Identify circumstances when an election to opt out of a tax-deferred rollover of property into an inter vivos trust may be beneficial, such as:
    • Settlor has carry-forward capital losses that may be used to offset capital gains upon deemed disposition of property
    • Settlor has capital gain deduction limit that may be used upon deemed disposition of property 
  • Explain how income earned by an inter vivos trust will be taxed.
    • For income retained by a trust
    • For income distributed to the beneficiaries  
  • Explain when property is deemed to have been disposed of by an inter vivos trust.
    • For a spousal trust
    • For an alter ego trust
    • For a joint partner trust
    • For all other trusts 
  • Define a preferred beneficiary of a trust for income tax purposes. 
  • Explain the value at which capital property may be transferred to a beneficiary from an inter vivos trust.
    • When the trust is irrevocable
    • When the trust is revocable 
  • Identify that an election is available where a preferred beneficiary may be allocated income from an inter vivos trust without having the funds distributed to them. 
  • Identify the tax year-end for an inter vivos trust. 
    • For an inter vivos trust
    • For an inter vivos trust in the year the trust is wound up

REFERENCES