Practice

The principle behind the annual gift tax exclusion is to shelter gifts commonly made on birthdays, holidays, weddings and other special occasions. However, many high-net-worth individuals may also utilize the annual gift tax exclusion as a strategy to mitigate the impact of future estate taxes. According to Richard Behrendt, director of estate planning for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group, the timing of making year-end gifts is important because a transfer of property is treated as a completed gift for federal gift tax purposes only after the donor has unconditionally relinquished all dominion and control over the transferred property. Even if the donor has no intention of revoking (taking back) the gift, simply retaining the ability to revoke the gift through the end of the year could shift the completion of the gift into the next calendar year. Under the Internal Revenue Code, individuals may give up to $13,000 to an unlimited number of non-charitable beneficiaries in each calendar year. Married couples may double-up and make combined gifts of up to $26,000 to children, grandchildren, or other non-charitable beneficiaries. Here are six rules investors need to consider before making any year-end gifts.

From Deutsche Boerse trying to acquire NYSE Euronext to the 10-microsecond trading cycle, here are the Top 10 Stories of 2011 affecting the technology and operations of capital markets as measured—in large part—by your viewership.

Credit Suisse Securities has been fined $1.75 million by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority for failing to properly supervise short-selling activity.

Credit Suisse Securities has been fined $1.75 million by FINRA for failing to properly supervise short-selling activity.

The accountant and attorney for the estate of a 104-year-old copper mine heiress who died earlier this year have been under investigation for their handling of their client's finances, and the accountant has now resigned as executor.

Here's an interactive slideshow detailing 12 frightening facts that Baby Boomers and their financial advisors need to appreciate and address in the coming year to ensure they're properly prepared for the retirement they've always envisioned.

Federated Investors has reached an agreement to acquire Prime Rate Capital Management of London, a specialist in cash management and fixed income products.

This week, marketing expert Marie Swift examines some of the best ways financial advisors can get face time with their clients and qualified prospects.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has closed a loophole that previously allowed individuals to artificially inflate net worth before investing in unregistered securities offerings. Advisers are generally supportive of the change.

The MF Global collapse provides an important lesson concerning the effectiveness of the principal, or proprietary, banking model. Leading up to the financial crisis, principal banking had replaced slow-growing, client-focused agency banking as the dominant model for large banks. Institutions focused on executing transactions as principals for their own accounts instead of for their clients.