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What is Step-Up Basis?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Step-up basis is a method used for calculating the value of property that people inherit. Under a system that uses step-up basis, instead of using the value of the property at the time of the original purchase as a basis, people use the value of the property at the time of death. The advantage to doing this is that it reduces capital gains liability significantly. This is not allowed in all regions and people who are handling an estate should check with an attorney or accountant to find out whether the estate qualifies for adjustment under a step-up basis.

In a simple example of how step-up basis works, Fred buys stocks for $10 United States Dollars (USD) at some point prior to his death and wills them to his niece Susie. At the time of his death, the stocks were worth $40 USD. When Susie chooses to sell the stocks for $45 USD, she pays capital gains tax on the difference between $40 USD and $45 USD, not the difference between $10 USD and $45 USD. This means that her capital gains liability is much less.

Man climbing a rope
Man climbing a rope

It is also possible to step-down assets. Usually, assets rise in value between the time they are acquired and the death of the person who bought them. Sometimes, a dip in the market causes the value to drop, however. In these cases, the value of the assets would be stepped down to that fair market value at the time of death. If Fred died when the stocks were worth $8 USD, for example, that would be considered the value of the stocks at the time that Susie inherited them.

Real estate, stocks, and other investments all increase in value over time. Using a step-up basis for valuation is intended to be more fair to heirs, so that they are not penalized for the appreciation on the assets that happened during the decedent's lifetime.

The alternative to a step-up basis is carryover basis, where the value at the time of purchase is assumed to be the value of the goods at the time they are inherited. In some regions, people are required to use carryover basis for estate accounting. This can result in a significant hit on the capital gains tax in the event that these assets are sold. Generally, when property is transferred before death, it is valued on a carryover basis instead of a step-up basis, something to consider when people are making plans for the disposition of their estates and thinking of passing property on before they die.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Markerrag

@Soulfox -- that is where a good attorney or accountant can be very helpful. Estate attorneys and accountants make it their business to keep up to date on laws concerning inheritance taxes and subtle changes to strategies involving complexities such as step-up basis evaluation.

There's nothing in the world wrong with getting one of those experts to review your plan and give an opinion as to whether it is still effective and suggest a "tune up" to get it in line with current inheritance tax laws.

When it comes to step-up basis in particularly, keep in mind that valuation pops up all over the place. For example, in some states the value of homes is frozen at a certain point for senior citizens for the purpose of property taxes. When that house is sold -- or passes through inheritance -- to someone who is not a senior citizen, the value might be "stepped up" to reflect the present market value of the house and it will be taxed at that rate. In one of those states, then, it is very good to know how the tax laws in that regard work before you buy a house.

Soulfox

There are an awful lot of estates set up contemplating using the step-up basis method to decrease capital gains taxes paid by inheritors. Keep in mind that the laws governing how estates are taxed are in constant flux -- practices that work well today might not work well a year from now due to the nature of laws that are regularly passed, amended and rescinded as political climates change.

Here's the question -- if someone has an estate plan that is a few years old, how can one make sure that the strategies contained in it will still achieve what the grantor wants?

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