Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Responsible Estate Tax Act

Reinstatement and extension of estate and generation-skipping taxes; repeal of carryover basis

(a)

In general

The following provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, and the amendments made by such provisions, are hereby repealed: (1)Subtitles A and E of title V. (2)Subsection (d), and so much of subsection (f)(3) as relates to subsection (d), of section 511. (3)Paragraph (2) of subsection (b), and paragraph (2) of subsection (e), of section 521.

Any provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 amended by such provisions are amended to read as such provisions would read if such sections had never been enacted.

(b)

Sunset not To apply

(1)Subsection (a) of section 901 of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 is amended by striking this Act and all that follows and inserting this Act (other than title V) shall not apply to taxable, plan, or limitation years beginning after December 31, 2010.. (2)Subsection (b) of such section 901 is amended by striking , estates, gifts, and transfers.

Modification of rates and maintenance of unified credit against the estate tax

(a)

Modification of rates

(1)

In general

The table in paragraph (1) of section 2001(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the last 6 rows and inserting the following:

Over $750,000 but not over $3,500,000$248,300 plus 39 percent of the excess of such amount over $750,000 Over $3,500,000 but not over $10,000,000 $1,320,800 plus 45 percent of the excess of such amount over $3,500,000 Over $10,000,000 but not over $50,000,000$4,245,800 plus 50 percent of the excess of such amount over $10,000,000 Over $50,000,000$24,245,800 plus 55 percent of the excess of such amount over $50,000,000

(2)

Surtax on wealthy estates

Paragraph (2) of section 2011(c) of such Code is amended to read as follows:

(2)

Surtax on estates over $500,000,000

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the amount with respect to which the tentative tax to be computed is over $500,000,000, the rate of tax otherwise in effect under this subsection with respect to the amount in excess of $500,000,000 shall be increased by 10 percent.

(b)

Maintenance of unified credit

The table in subsection (c) of section 2010 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to applicable credit amount) is amended by inserting and thereafter after 2009. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December 31, 2009.

Modification of rules for value of certain farm, etc., real property

(a)

In general

Paragraph (2) of section 2032A(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $750,000 and inserting $3,000,000. (b)

Inflation adjustment

Paragraph (3) of section 2032A(a) of such Code is amended— (1)by striking 1998 and inserting 2009, (2)by striking $750,000 and inserting $3,000,000 in subparagraph (A), and (3)by striking calendar year 1997 and inserting calendar year 2008 in subparagraph (B). (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December 31, 2009.

Modification of estate tax rules with respect to land subject to conservation easements

(a)

Modification of exclusion limitation

The table in paragraph (3) of section 2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by striking or thereafter in the last row and inserting through 2009, and (2)by adding at the end the following row:

2010 and thereafter$2,000,000

(b)

Modification of applicable percentage

Paragraph (2) of section 2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 40 percent and inserting 60 percent. (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December 31, 2009.

Consistent basis reporting between estate and person acquiring property from decedent

(a)

Information reporting

(1)

In general

Subpart A of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 6034A the following new section:

6035.

Basis information to persons acquiring property from decedent or by gift

(a)

Information with respect to property acquired from decedents

(1)

In general

The executor of any estate required to file a return under section 6018(a) shall, on or before the date on which such return was required to be filed, furnish to the Secretary and to each person acquiring property from the decedent a statement identifying— (A)the value of such property, (B)in the case of any property to which the exclusion under section 2031(c) applies or to which section 1014(e) applies, the adjusted basis of such property in the hands of the decedent, (C)in the case of any property which consists of stock in a DISC or former DISC (as defined in section 992(a)), the basis of the decedent in such stock reduced by the amount (if any) which would have been included in gross income under section 995(c) as a dividend if the decedent had lived and sold the stock at its fair market value on the estate tax valuation date (determined under the rules of section 1014(d)), and (D)such other information with respect to such property as the Secretary may prescribe. (2)

Value

For purposes of this subsection, the value of any property shall be determined under the rules of section 1014(a). (b)

Information with respect to property acquired by gift

The person who makes a transfer by gift and who is required to file a return under section 6019(a) shall, on or before the date on which such return is required to be filed, furnish to the Secretary and to each person acquiring property though such transfer a statement identifying— (1)the adjusted basis of such property, (2)the fair market value of such property at the time of the transfer, (3)in the case of a transfer in trust, the amount of the gain or loss recognized by the grantor on such transfer, (4)the amount, if any, of gift tax paid by the transferor, and (5)such other information with respect to such property as the Secretary may prescribe. (c)

Regulations

The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out this section, including regulations relating to— (1)the application of this section to situations in which no estate tax return is required to be filed or in which gifts are excluded from gift tax under section 2503, (2)situations in which the surviving joint tenant or other recipient may have better information than the executor, and (3)the timing of the required reporting in the event of adjustments to the reported value subsequent to the filing of an estate or gift tax return.

(2)

Penalty for failure to file

(A)

Return

Subparagraph (B) of section 6724(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking or at the end of clause (xxiv), by striking and at the end of clause (xxv) and inserting or, and by adding at the end the following new clause:

(xxvi)section 6035 (relating to returns relating to basis information to persons acquiring property from decedent), and

(B)

Statement

Subparagraph (A) of section 6724(d)(2)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting 6035, after 6034A,. (3)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart A of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 6034A the following new item:

Sec. 6035. Basis information to persons acquiring property from decedent or by gift.

(b)

Consistent use of basis

(1)

Property acquired from a descendant

Section 1014 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f)

Basis must be consistent with information reports

Except as provided by the Secretary in regulations, in any case in which the executor of the estate was required to make a return under section 6035, the basis of the property in the hands of the person acquiring such property shall be calculated using the information reported to such person under section 6035(a).

(2)

Property acquired by gifts and transfers in trust

Section 1015 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f)

Basis must be consistent with information reports

Except as provided by the Secretary in regulations, in any case in which the transferor was required to make a return under section 6035, the basis of the property in the hands of the person acquiring such property shall be calculated using the information reported to such person under section 6035(b).

(c)

Penalty for inconsistent reporting

(1)

In general

Subsection (b) of section 6662 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraph:

(8)Any inconsistent estate or gift basis reporting.

(2)

Inconsistent basis reporting

Section 6662 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(k)

Inconsistent estate or gift basis reporting

For purposes of this section, the term inconsistent estate or gift basis reporting means the portion of the understatement which is attributable to the failure by the taxpayer to use the information reported to such taxpayer under section 6035 in calculating the basis of any property acquired from a decedent or by gift or transfer in trust.

(d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to transfers for which returns are filed after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets; limitation on minority discounts

(a)

In general

Section 2031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to definition of gross estate) is amended by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f) and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsections:

(d)

Valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets

For purposes of this chapter and chapter 12— (1)

In general

In the case of the transfer of any interest in an entity other than an interest which is actively traded (within the meaning of section 1092)— (A)the value of any nonbusiness assets held by the entity with respect to such interest shall be determined as if the transferor had transferred such assets directly to the transferee (and no valuation discount shall be allowed with respect to such nonbusiness assets), and (B)such nonbusiness assets shall not be taken into account in determining the value of the interest in the entity. (2)

Nonbusiness assets

For purposes of this subsection— (A)

In general

The term nonbusiness asset means any asset which is not used in the active conduct of 1 or more trades or businesses. (B)

Exception for certain passive assets

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), a passive asset shall not be treated for purposes of subparagraph (A) as used in the active conduct of a trade or business unless— (i)the asset is property described in paragraph (1) or (4) of section 1221(a) or is a hedge with respect to such property, or (ii)the asset is real property used in the active conduct of 1 or more real property trades or businesses (within the meaning of section 469(c)(7)(C)) in which the transferor materially participates and with respect to which the transferor meets the requirements of section 469(c)(7)(B)(ii).

For purposes of clause (ii), material participation shall be determined under the rules of section 469(h), except that section 469(h)(3) shall be applied without regard to the limitation to farming activity.

(C)

Exception for working capital

Any asset (including a passive asset) which is held as a part of the reasonably required working capital needs of a trade or business shall be treated as used in the active conduct of a trade or business. (3)

Passive asset

For purposes of this subsection, the term passive asset means any— (A)cash or cash equivalents, (B)except to the extent provided by the Secretary, stock in a corporation or any other equity, profits, or capital interest in any entity, (C)evidence of indebtedness, option, forward or futures contract, notional principal contract, or derivative, (D)asset described in clause (iii), (iv), or (v) of section 351(e)(1)(B), (E)annuity, (F)real property used in 1 or more real property trades or businesses (as defined in section 469(c)(7)(C)), (G)asset (other than a patent, trademark, or copyright) which produces royalty income, (H)commodity, (I)collectible (within the meaning of section 401(m)), or (J)any other asset specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary. (4)

Look-thru rules

(A)

In general

If a nonbusiness asset of an entity consists of a 10-percent interest in any other entity, this subsection shall be applied by disregarding the 10-percent interest and by treating the entity as holding directly its ratable share of the assets of the other entity. This subparagraph shall be applied successively to any 10-percent interest of such other entity in any other entity. (B)

10-percent interest

The term 10-percent interest means— (i)in the case of an interest in a corporation, ownership of at least 10 percent (by vote or value) of the stock in such corporation, (ii)in the case of an interest in a partnership, ownership of at least 10 percent of the capital or profits interest in the partnership, and (iii)in any other case, ownership of at least 10 percent of the beneficial interests in the entity. (5)

Coordination with subsection (b)

Subsection (b) shall apply after the application of this subsection. (e)

Limitation on minority discounts

For purposes of this chapter and chapter 12, in the case of the transfer of any interest in an entity other than an interest which is actively traded (within the meaning of section 1092), no discount shall be allowed by reason of the fact that the transferee does not have control of such entity if the transferee and members of the family (as defined in section 2032A(e)(2)) of the transferee have control of such entity.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to transfers after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Required minimum 10-year term, etc., for grantor retained annuity trusts

(a)

In general

Subsection (b) of section 2702 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively, and by moving such subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; (2)by striking For purposes of and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

For purposes of

;

(3)by striking paragraph (1) or (2) in paragraph (1)(C) (as so redesignated) and inserting subparagraph (A) or (B); and (4)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)

Additional requirements with respect to grantor retained annuities

For purposes of subsection (a), in the case of an interest described in paragraph (1)(A) (determined without regard to this paragraph) which is retained by the transferor, such interest shall be treated as described in such paragraph only if— (A)the right to receive the fixed amounts referred to in such paragraph is for a term of not less than 10 years, (B)such fixed amounts, when determined on an annual basis, do not decrease relative to any prior year during the first 10 years of the term referred to in subparagraph (A), and (C)the remainder interest has a value greater than zero determined as of the time of the transfer.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to transfers made after the date of the enactment of this Act.