[WalterBright]

> Their assets pass to their heirs with a stepped up cost basis

LOL, the stepped up basis gets hit with the inheritance tax.

> The heirs can liquidate whatever's needed to pay off the loan and incur no tax.

The loan and the interest payments and dont forget the inheritance tax.

> Normal people can't do this.

Yes, they can borrow money, die, the inheritors pay off the loan with the stocks, and then pay estate tax.

[triceratops]

> LOL,

I assumed you asked a question to learn something. If you're not interested in learning, please continue believing that everyone gets the same tax system. Otherwise keep reading.

> the stepped up basis gets hit with the inheritance tax.

There's no federal inheritance tax. Only some states have it. You're thinking of the estate tax.

If you read the link I posted: https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyBorrowDieExplained/comments/1f26...

it has a fairly detailed explanation of how it's a completely different ballgame above a net worth of $300m. Grantor trusts allow sidestepping estate tax and...

> The loan and the interest payments

"The loan" otherwise known as "income" because that's what it really was. Income that would normally have been derived by selling assets. Obviously it has to be paid back. No one said it's free money. Only that it's (largely) tax-free money.

The interest payments are lower than the income tax would've been on the same amount of income.

> and dont forget the inheritance tax.

You mean estate tax. Explained above.

> Yes, they can borrow money, die, the inheritors pay off the loan with the stocks, and then pay estate tax.

Not in the same way, and not nearly as effectively.

If there are specific inaccuracies with https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyBorrowDieExplained/comments/1f26... I'm open to learning.

[WalterBright]

> There's no federal inheritance tax. Only some states have it. You're thinking of the estate tax.

They're the same as far as this discussion is concerned, as the amount that the beneficiary gets is (roughly) the same.

> "The loan" otherwise known as "income" because that's what it really was

Borrowed money is not "income" in any sense of the word. When I was on summer vacation, I decided to take a class in accounting. One of the most productive uses of my time. I recommend it. P.S. if your business tries to classify borrowed money as "income", that's called fraud.

> If you read the link I posted

I rely on my CPA for tax advice, not the internet, nor do I care much for misusing accounting terms. I've read too many articles that confuse income with revenue, wealth with income, and so on.

[triceratops]

> They're the same as far as this discussion is concerned, as the amount that the beneficiary gets is (roughly) the same.

The estate's value is reduced by what it owes.

> if your business tries to classify borrowed money as "income"

sigh C'mon man, engage in good faith here. Stop saying things I didn't say.

If you can borrow cash against assets, don't have to pay principle until you die, and only pay low interest payments then it's functionally the same as selling those assets at a low tax rate. That's the principle.

And if you can use trusts to avoid estate taxes then there are no (or very low) taxes due ever.

> I rely on my CPA for tax advice

Ok ask your CPA what they know about using trusts to avoid estate taxes. Maybe it's BS but maybe it's true. Without some curiosity, how will you ever know?

> not the internet

More reputable sources than Reddit indicate it may be possible to use trusts to greatly reduce or eliminate estate tax:

https://privatebank.jpmorgan.com/nam/en/insights/wealth-plan...

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/grat.asp

https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/wh...

[actionfromafar]

I don't think anyone is arguing that a loan is income in a legal sense. I am going to generously assume you misunderstood.