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Enhanced Estate and Gift Tax Benefits for Dun & Bradstreet Holdings Employees in 2024

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As we transition into 2024, the landscape of federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax laws has shifted significantly due to major inflation adjustments. For Dun & Bradstreet Holdings employees focusing on their financial strategies, these changes present valuable opportunities for enhancing intergenerational wealth transfer and achieving greater tax efficiency.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has raised the lifetime exemption levels for the federal estate tax and the GST tax considerably. Individual exemptions have grown from $12.92 million in 2023 to $13.61 million, a $690,000 increase. Similarly, for married couples, the exemption has surged from $25.84 million to $27.22 million. These adjustments facilitate significant wealth transfers to heirs or direct gifts to grandchildren (via GSTs) without incurring federal estate or GST taxes.

The aligned increase in both the estate tax exemption and the generation-skipping tax exemption allows for direct asset transfers to grandchildren or into trusts for their benefit, helping families circumvent the double taxation of estate taxes on subsequent generations.

However, these augmented exemption amounts are set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless new legislation extends them. Initially quadrupled by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, these exemptions will nearly halve if not renewed. This impending reduction underscores the importance of proactive estate and gift planning soon.

For 2024, the federal gift tax annual exclusion has also seen a roughly 6% increase to $18,000 per recipient, up from $17,000 the previous year. This enables Dun & Bradstreet Holdings employees to devise strategic gifting plans that preserve estate value and promote wealth transfer between generations.

With the 2025 sunset date approaching, maximizing these increased exemptions is crucial to save on taxes. Consider utilizing the annual gift tax exclusion, which allows up to $18,000 per recipient in 2024 without impacting your lifetime estate or gift tax exemptions. Additionally, direct payments to medical providers for healthcare or educational institutions for tuition are exempt from gift taxes.

Including a gift tax return (IRS Form 709) is essential for contributions exceeding the annual exclusion, as part of comprehensive estate planning.

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings employees should also explore trust-based strategies like lifetime irrevocable trusts, which remove assets from the taxable estate, and Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), where the grantor receives annuity payments for a set period before the remainder passes to beneficiaries, potentially tax-free.

Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) are another option, allowing one spouse to leverage their gift tax exemption to establish a trust for the other, who then accesses the trust's assets.

Engaging with financial advisors is crucial to navigate the complexities of state-specific estate and gift tax laws, which vary widely and affect overall tax obligations and estate planning strategies.

As federal tax exemptions are about to sunset, this is a critical time for Dun & Bradstreet Holdings employees to review and possibly revise their estate and gifting strategies. These calculated decisions can lead to more efficient wealth transfer to future generations and significant tax savings.

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When making these choices, it is advisable for professionals and retirees to consult with advisors to formulate their plans in light of current tax rules and potential future changes.

For Dun & Bradstreet Holdings employees retiring or nearing retirement, consider establishing a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) in 2024. A QPRT allows homeowners to transfer their residence into a trust, residing there for a designated period, potentially reducing the taxable value of their estate. This strategy is particularly valuable ahead of potential reductions in exemption amounts post-2025, enabling high-value assets to be transferred at a reduced tax cost.

Like a gardener preparing for a fruitful season, the upcoming changes in inheritance and gift tax laws in 2024 are an excellent opportunity for Dun & Bradstreet Holdings employees to strategically transfer wealth and make impactful gifts. The expanded exemption levels, akin to fertile soil, facilitate the management of estates to minimize tax implications and maximize growth for future generations. Acting now, before these favorable conditions sunset in 2025, is like planting a crop at the optimal time to ensure a bountiful harvest for years to come.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings offers its employees both a pension plan and a 401(k) plan. The pension plan, referred to as the Dun & Bradstreet Retirement Account, is based on credited service and compensation earned prior to the freeze date of July 1, 2007. This plan follows a traditional defined benefit structure, with benefits calculated using years of service and final average pay. The retirement plan's normal retirement age is typically 65, though employees may become eligible for early retirement based on age and years of service. Participants in the pension plan have access to their benefits at age 59½ with applicable reductions. Dun & Bradstreet employees who were part of the pension plan before July 1, 2007, continue to accrue benefits under this plan (Aon). The company also provides a 401(k) plan known as the Dun & Bradstreet 401(k) Plan, administered by Fidelity. Employees can contribute between 1% to 75% of their annual compensation as regular or catch-up contributions. The company matches contributions up to 7%, although the match percentage varies by employee and is subject to the IRS contribution limits. Eligibility for participation in the 401(k) plan typically requires employees to be at least 21 years old and to have completed at least 1,000 hours of service within a calendar year. The 401(k) plan is flexible, allowing employees to choose between traditional pre-tax contributions and Roth post-tax contributions

Restructuring and Layoffs: Dun & Bradstreet Holdings has been undertaking a significant restructuring plan to streamline its operations and enhance efficiency. In late 2023, the company announced a reduction in its workforce as part of this initiative. This move is aimed at consolidating its global operations and focusing on core business areas. Given the current economic and investment environment, including fluctuations in market performance and evolving tax policies, it is crucial for employees and stakeholders to stay informed about such changes. Understanding these developments can help in making informed decisions about career and investments.

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings offers stock options and RSUs as part of its employee compensation package. Stock options typically provide employees the right to purchase shares at a set price, while RSUs are granted as company shares without a purchase requirement. According to the 2022 10-K filing, stock options and RSUs are awarded to key employees, executives, and directors based on performance and tenure

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings offers comprehensive health benefits to its employees, designed to support their well-being and work-life balance. The company's healthcare benefits include a variety of health plans such as PPOs and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). They also provide access to dental, vision, and mental health services. Key healthcare-related terms and acronyms used by the company include: HDHP: High-Deductible Health Plan, allowing employees to pay lower premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs. HSA: Health Savings Account, available for employees enrolled in HDHPs, allowing them to save money pre-tax for medical expenses. EAP: Employee Assistance Program, providing confidential support for employees dealing with personal or work-related issues, including mental health resources. Dun & Bradstreet also encourages a holistic approach to wellness through its Wellness Program, offering employees resources and tools to maintain physical and mental health. In recent years, the company has expanded its telehealth options, allowing employees to access healthcare providers virtually, which gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Dun & Bradstreet Holdings at 103 JFK Pkwy Short Hills, NJ 7078; or by calling them at (800) 526-9018.

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