he recent fiscal cliff legislation did very little to change the previous federal estate tax.  The only substantive change was to raise the estate tax rate from 35% to 40%, while maintaining all other 2012 rules. 

Therefore, the federal estate tax exclusion amount remains at $5,000,000 (adjusted for inflation to $5.25M) for 2013.  While many thought the federalestate tax exclusion amount would drop from $5M to $3.5M, nearly everyone expected the federal gift tax exclusion amount to drop drastically from $5M down to $1M.  This fear caused many planners to recommend making large gifts at the end of 2012.  However, the federal gift tax exclusion amount also stayed at $5M (adjusted for inflation to $5.25M).  

The only other change of note for 2013 occurred prior to the end of 2012, wherein the annual tax-free gift amount was increased from $13,000 to $14,000.  Therefore, in 2013, you can give $14,000 to any individual tax free. 

If you have any additional questions regarding federal tax planning, please call my office at 610.444.5552.