We make plans to give you peace of mind.

At Lasher, we regularly prepare estate and gift tax returns for individuals and families, helping clients reduce taxes and preserve wealth.

Estate Tax Returns

When someone passes away, estate tax may be owed on the transfer of their assets—whether through a Will, Trust, joint ownership, or beneficiary designations. Both the federal government and the State of Washington impose estate taxes when an estate exceeds specific thresholds:

• Federal Estate Tax Exemption (2026): $15 million per person (and CPI adjusted thereafter)

• Washington State Estate Tax Exemption (2026): $3,000,000 per person (and CPI adjusted in 2027)

Married couples may use the federal “portability” election to transfer any unused exemption to a surviving spouse by filing IRS Form 706. This allows significant unused exemption amounts to pass assets tax-free to heirs. However, Washington State does not offer portability. To preserve the state exemption, assets must be placed in a Washington Exemption Trust—otherwise, the exemption is lost. A Washington estate tax return is required if the estate exceeds $3,000,000 (CPI adjusted), regardless of federal filing requirements.

Gift Tax Returns

Gifts above certain limits require reporting to the IRS:

• Annual gift exclusion (2026): $19,000 per recipient

• Lifetime gift exemption (2026): $15 million per individual (and CPI adjusted thereafter)

If you give more than $19,000 or transfer non-cash assets, you must file IRS Form 709. While federal gift tax is typically paid by the donor, gifts that exceed annual limits reduce your lifetime exemption. To achieve statute of limitations protections, gift tax returns must meet strict adequate disclosure standards—our attorneys work diligently so that every return is properly documented.

Washington does not impose a gift tax, offering opportunities for residents to make strategic gifts and reduce future estate tax liability.