Sponsored By
Trusts & Estates logo

A Historic Overview of LegislationA Historic Overview of Legislation

One hundred years of shifting policy and uncertainty

10 Min Read
Wealth Management logo in a gray background | Wealth Management

For the past 100 years, and at crucial times of crisis throughout U.S. history, the federal government has relied on the estate tax, also referred to as the “death tax,” as a source of government revenue. Conflicting beliefs on both the morality and purpose of taxation in the United States have led to persistent changes to estate tax law that leave the individuals subject to the tax in a constant state of uncertainty and inability to properly plan for the tax.

Originally intended as a tax to add additional revenue in times of war, it became tethered to the values of a progressive tax system and its principles of “tax justice” that arose in the early 20th century. Before assessing the merits of the arguments posed by each side, it’s first ...

Unlock All Access Premium Subscription

Get Trusts & Estates articles, digital editions, and an optional print subscription. Choose your subscription now and dive into expert insights today!

Already Subscribed?

About the Authors

Patricia M. Soldano

 

Patricia M. Soldano has spent over 25 years managing family offices, providing full service, integrated family office services to many families. She developed Cymric Family Office Services into a multi-family office in 1996, and in January of 2009 Cymric became part of GenSpring Family Offices, which serves many of the world’s wealthiest families and advises on over $16 billion of assets. Pat Soldano is now the Managing Director of Client Service for the firm’s Western Region.

Ms. Soldano received her MBA from Claremont Graduate School and her BA in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. A recognized speaker on the topic of family wealth, she has been published in Trusts & Estates magazine, Private WealthThe Washington PostForbesWealth Managermagazine, Fund FireInfovest, and other newspapers and periodicals. She is a regular presenter at national conferences throughout the United States, including The Investment Advisor Association, AICPA, USC Family Business Program, Family Office Exchange (FOX) Forum, Institute for Private Investors (IPI) Forum, Investment Management Institute and many others.

Ms. Soldano founded Policy and Taxation Group in 1995 to educate about the destructive effects on families, of the gift, estate and generation skipping tax. The organization encourages estate tax reform and has testified before the Ways and Means Committee for the Congress of the United States.

Ms. Soldano is a member of the Editorial Committee for High Net-worth Families for Trusts & Estates. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Paul Merage School of Business at UC/Irvine and is the current Co-Chair of its Center for Investment and Wealth Management. She is a Board member of "The Trusteeship" (International Women's Forum, Southern California), a Member of the Women's Philanthropy Fund of Orange County United Way and former Policy Committee Chair for the Alzheimer's Association of Orange County.

Michael Palicz

Advisor, Policy and Taxation Group

Michael Palicz serves as an advisor for Policy and Taxation Group where he manages several roles including policy research, lobbying and operational roles as needed. Michael has worked on legislation ranging in the areas of taxation, immigration and civil rights. His experience also includes developing economic messaging and working with allied organizations to promote economic freedom. His past experience includes work in Government Consulting and in Non-Profit Organizations with MAXIMUS, Inc. and Special Olympics.

Michael holds a B.S. in Politics and Business Administration from Washington and Lee University. He currently resides in Arlington, VA.