Year-End Charitable Giving

  • Donating appreciated stock or other assets can provide a double benefit — a charitable deduction and avoidance of capital gains. Consider using a donor-advised fund to simplify contributions and lock in your deduction before December 31.

Gifts & Generation-Skipping transfers

  • You can gift up to $19,000 per person in 2025 tax-free (no filing required). The lifetime estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption is $13.99 million per person. Tax is generally applied to assets over the lifetime exemption and assets given directly to grandchildren are subject to GST tax to prevent skipping estate taxes. Making larger gifts now can help reduce future estate taxes and preserve more wealth across generations.

Business Succession Planning

    • The holidays are perfect for family conversations about the future. Whether passing ownership, introducing the next generation, or preparing a buy-sell agreement, planning early prevents future conflicts and ensures business continuity with minimal tax and emotional friction.