Here’s what HIVE AI had to say about “What are changes affecting trusts or estates in 2026 filings?”:
Estate and gift transfer-tax changes impacting 2026 decedents and 2026 gifts
- Increased basic exclusion amount for 2026: For estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2025 and gifts made after December 31, 2025, the basic exclusion amount is increased to $15,000,000 for calendar year 2026 (before inflation adjustments, if any, under the normal indexing rules). 1 The IRS also summarizes this change in its “What’s new — Estate and gift tax” page. 1
- Annual gift tax exclusion for 2026: The IRS indicates the annual exclusion amount for 2026 is $19,000 per donee (and $38,000 per donee if spouses gift-split, assuming gift-splitting is permitted). 3
2026 filing-season items for estate/trust income tax returns (Form 1041)
- Form 1041 due date for calendar-year 2025 estates/trusts (filed in 2026): The 2025 Form 1041 is generally due April 15, 2026 (calendar-year filers). 4
- Using the 2025 Form 1041 for certain 2026 short tax years: The IRS instructions state the 2025 Form 1041 may be used for a tax year beginning in 2026 if the estate/trust has a short tax year that begins and ends in 2026 and the 2026 Form 1041 isn’t available by the time the return is required to be filed (and the filer must incorporate any law changes effective for tax years beginning after 2025). 4
- Bankruptcy estate threshold correction in the 2025 Form 1041 instructions (relevant to 2026 filers relying on the instructions): The IRS posted an update indicating the bankruptcy estate filing threshold figure in the 2025 Instructions for Form 1041 was increased from $15,000 to $15,750 in the most recent revision. 5
Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) threshold reference often relevant for 2026 Form 1041 filers
- Estates and trusts: the NIIT is 3.8% of the lesser of undistributed net investment income, or the excess of AGI over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket for estates and trusts begins; the Form 1041-ES materials note that for tax years beginning after 2024, the highest bracket applies to amounts over $15,650 (used in the NIIT threshold computation). 2
Sources
1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act Sec. 70106. Extension and enhancement of increased estate and gift tax exemption amounts
2 – IRS – Form 1041-ES Estimated Income Tax for Estates and Trusts
3 – Frequently asked questions on gift taxes
4 – Instructions for Form 1041 and Schedules A, B, G, J, and K-1 (2025)
5 – Change to the bankruptcy estate filing threshold in the 2025 Instructions for Form 1041
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