Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Our nation’s estate tax celebrates the hundred year mark in 2015. The often controversial estate tax stands to gain even more attention as the 2016 Presidential election draws near.
The estate tax has been central to many debates during past Presidential elections. Republicans continue to call for the abolition of the estate tax, while Democrats ask that it be strengthened.
The two sides could not be further apart on the issue.
Republicans believe the tax hinders small business and family farmers, while Democrats believe the tax is important for revenue and to mitigate wealth inequality.
Forbes reported on the estate tax’s birthday in a recent article, “Estate Tax Hits 100th Birthday And Paul Carron Calls For Many Happy Returns.”
Whatever your own thoughts are on the estate tax, it might be worthwhile to reflect on what it means that it has been with us for 100 years. It could mean that once a law is in place, even a bad law, that it is very difficult to get rid of it. It could also mean that the estate tax has become an integral part of our society.
The two ideas are not mutually exclusive.
It is possible that in another hundred years, Americans will still be debating over the estate tax and whether it should exist at all. We do know that this is an issue that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.
Reference: Forbes (September 15, 2015) “Estate Tax Hits 100th Birthday And Paul Carron Calls For Many Happy Returns.”