UPDATED 1/19/2012:
The IRS has released the applicable federal rate tables for February 2012. The rates remain virutally the same, with the 7520 Rate at 1.4% and the lowest short term rate at .19%. Check out Rev. Rul. 2012-7.
AFRs remian low in January ---
The IRS recently released the AFR (applicable federal rate) tables for January 2012. Rates continue at historic lows. The 7520 Rate, which is used to value a taxpayer’s interest in many common estate planning structures, such as the grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) is only 1.4%. Other rates are similarly low. Certain loans, typically made between family members, can be made at rates as low as .19% without triggering imputed interest income to the lender.
The low interest rate environment means that there continues to be opportunities for wealthy individuals and families to engage in Federal Estate Tax planning.
Check out the January AFR Tables here.