The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and others are asking the Treasury Department to withdraw the newly proposed estate tax regulations. NCBA joined more than 3,800 organizations in a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew opposing the proposal. NCBA says the proposed regulations would permanently change estate planning for families that own a controlling interest in a privately-held entity. NCBA says the regulations would eliminate or greatly reduce available valuation discounts for family-related entities, which in turn would increase the tax on inheritance, such as farms. Government affairs director for NCBA, Danielle Beck, says “the Administration is causing unnecessary economic harm to family businesses,” that is because producers are often forced into selling land or cattle to pay the tax, and in some cases, are put out of business.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.
From: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Proposed Estate Tax Regulations Threaten Family Businesses
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association along with more than 3,800 organizations and family-owned enterprises sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew adamantly opposing and asking for withdrawal of the newly proposed estate tax regulations by the Department of Treasury. The proposed regulations under section 2704 of the Internal Revenue Code would permanently change estate planning for families that own a controlling interest in a privately-held entity.
“The proposed guidance is one of the most sweeping changes to estate tax policies in the last 25 years and would be detrimental to active enterprises and family-owned businesses that employ millions of workers throughout the nation,” the letter reads. “In particular, these rules would impose significant new tax costs on family-owned businesses, diverting capital from business investment, costing jobs and threatening the ability of families to pass businesses on to the next generation of owners.”
Danielle Beck, NCBA director of government affairs, said the regulations would eliminate or greatly reduce available valuation discounts for family-related entities, which in turn increase the tax associated with common transfers including inheritance.
“These proposed regulations would eliminate or greatly reduce marketability for family related entities, effectively discouraging families from continuing to operate or grow their businesses and pass them on to future generations,” said Beck. “Producers are often forced into selling land or cattle in order to pay the tax, and in some cases, are put out of business. The Administration is causing unnecessary economic harm to family businesses.”
NCBA urges the Department of Treasury to withdraw the proposed estate tax regulations.