File Form 706 on first spouse's death to port their unused $13.99M exemption to the survivor — even if no tax owed.
IRC §2010(c) allows the surviving spouse to inherit the Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion (DSUE) amount, effectively doubling the exemption. In 2025 that's up to $27.98M combined. CRITICAL: portability is NOT automatic — must file Form 706 (estate tax return) within 9 months of death (extendable) even if the estate is far below the filing threshold. Rev. Proc. 2022-32 grants 5-year late relief. With the exemption scheduled to drop ~50% in 2026, failing to port a 2025 death forfeits potentially $7M+ of shelter.
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Multiply the $10M §1202 exclusion across multiple trusts.
4% corporate tax + 0% capital gains for bona fide residents.
Stack the $500K primary-home exclusion on top of a 1031 deferral.
Convert Traditional to Roth during sabbaticals or business-loss years.
Capitalize property taxes and interest on undeveloped land.
Deduct now, control forever, employ heirs.
Ordinary loss (not capital loss) on failed small biz — up to $100K.
Buy leveraged real estate inside your IRA — tax-deferred or tax-free.