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Capital Letters

Ronald D. Aucutt

Beth Shapiro Kaufman

ACTEC Past President Ronald (Ron) D. Aucutt (2003–2004) has authored Capital Letters since 2006, offering his insight into the legislative process behind estate tax reform, related transfer tax deliberations of the U.S. Congress, and administrative developments at the Treasury and IRS.

Capital Letter No. 62, published on October 4, 2024, marks Ron’s final contribution to the series. Beth Shapiro Kaufman, who co-authored Capital Letter No. 62, will take over the authorship of future installments.

The College thanks Ron for sharing his expertise and insights through Capital Letters over the past 18 years and welcomes Beth as she continues this important tradition. A Preface by both authors is found in Capital Letter No. 62.

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Capital Letter No. 32 - Update of the 2011-2012 Treasury-IRS Priority Guidance Plan

Post date June 8, 2012
Categories Capital Letters

Ronald D. Aucutt

This year has seen a resurgence of administrative guidance and a new role for ACTEC.

Capital Letter No. 31 - The Administration’s Fiscal 2013 Budget Proposals

Post date February 27, 2012
Categories Capital Letters

Ronald D. Aucutt

Treasury’s “Greenbook” gets attention by proposing broad changes to the estate tax treatment of grantor trusts.

Capital Letter No. 30 - Form 8939 Due in One Week

Post date January 9, 2012
Categories Capital Letters

Ronald D. Aucutt

Form 8939, involving carryover basis and the GST exemption, is due January 17, and a few unexpected quirks warrant last minute reminders and warnings.

Capital Letter No. 29 - Carryover Basis, GST Tax, and Portability

Post date September 6, 2011
Categories Capital Letters

Ronald D. Aucutt

An extra base hit of carryover basis guidance dominated August, although it was not quite a home run. But a couple of GST tax issues made it home, and portability is on deck.

Capital Letter No. 28 - Making a Deal in Washington

Post date July 25, 2011
Categories Capital Letters

Ronald D. Aucutt

Do the debt ceiling and estate tax have anything in common?

Capital Letter No. 27 - On the Brink Once More

Post date December 13, 2010
Categories Capital Letters

By Ronald D. Aucutt

The estate tax plays a featured role in unprecedented political theater.

Capital Letter No. 26 - Congress Back This Week for One More Try

Post date November 29, 2010
Categories Capital Letters

By Ronald D. Aucutt

Congress is back in session for another year-end push, and most estate planners are keenly anticipating… nothing at all.

Capital Letter No. 25 - Modest Guidance Plan Makes Even More Modest Progress

Post date April 5, 2010
Categories Capital Letters

By Ronald D. Aucutt

Deferrals and distractions in administrative guidance under the 2009-2010 Treasury-IRS Priority Guidance Plan are undoubtedly related to the current legislative quandary.

Capital Letter No. 24 - The House of Representatives Votes to Restrict GRATs

Post date March 29, 2010
Categories Capital Letters

By Ronald D. Aucutt

The imposition of a ten-year minimum term on GRATs takes a possible step toward enactment, promising to change, but not stop, the creative use of GRATs.

Capital Letter No. 23 - Now What?

Post date March 1, 2010
Categories Capital Letters

By Ronald D. Aucutt

While Republican and Democratic leaders alike have wrestled with estate tax stability, the solution may be so easy it’s impossible.