The Gould Cooksey Fennell Blog

Exemption Amount Made Permanent Under New Law

Under the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions will increase to $15 million per individual (or $30 million for a married couple) beginning January 1, 2026.

Previously, the exemption amounts established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025, which would have reduced the exemption to approximately $7 million per taxpayer. The new law eliminates that sunset by permanently setting the estate, gift, and GST tax exemptions at $15 million per individual, with future adjustments indexed for inflation. The federal transfer tax rate remains at 40%.

While this change provides greater certainty and flexibility for long-term wealth transfer planning, it is important to note that the permanence of these exemptions is subject to future legislative changes.

The removal of the 2026 sunset allows taxpayers to plan with significantly more confidence, particularly when implementing gifting strategies, trust structures, and multigenerational planning.

About The Author

Share Now:

REQUEST A CONSULATION

Name(Required)

NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTS

A 52 year old man arrived at a hospital ER with a UTI, resulting in negligent, non-emergency intubation that caused the catastrophic anoxic brain injury leading to his death. After a trial involving complex medical and technical issues relating to critical care medicine, infectious disease, hospital administration, and electronic medical record systems, the family obtained a wrongful death settlement of $31.9 million.

Trial arising from failure to diagnosis colon perforation after a laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery causing permanent injury to the Plaintiff. After a three week trial a Martin County jury rejected the Defendants’ position finding the hospital 70% responsible for Mrs. Moore’s damages and the physician 30% responsible. The award included just over $600,000 for past medical expenses, $370,000 in future medical care, and non-economic damages of almost $2 million.

A Brevard County Jury awarded Plaintiff $6.4M against Defendant State Farm, following an accident that resulted in numerous catastrophic orthopedic injuries, including a below knee amputation of the Plaintiff’s left leg.

Pedestrian was struck and killed crossing the street in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Plaintiff was driving his tractor trailer on a single lane highway when hit head on by the defendant negligently operating his semi-truck. As a direct result the plaintiff suffered bodily injury and continuing pain and suffering. Circuit court 19 awarded plaintiff damages in the amount of $2,899,898.60.

Indian River County crash resulting in significant injuries to a husband and wife. This matter was resolved prior to filing a lawsuit.

Toggle Gould Cooksey Fennell served as Co-Counsel in a Georgia case involving alleged misdiagnosis/mistreatment of preeclampsia resulting in the death of a 39 year old mother.

REQUEST A CALL

* Our attorneys and staff value your privacy and will not share your personal information with any third-party entities.