Tax Implications of Estate Planning in South Carolina

March 17, 2025

Estate planning isn’t just about deciding who gets what—it’s about protecting your assets, ensuring a smooth transition for your heirs, and minimizing tax burdens. At Carolina Tax Consulting, we help clients navigate estate planning with a focus on tax-saving strategies. By understanding South Carolina-specific estate tax laws and applying strategic tax-saving techniques, you can safeguard your wealth and leave a legacy with minimal financial stress for your loved ones.

Does South Carolina Have an Estate Tax?

One major advantage for South Carolina residents is that the state does not impose an estate tax or inheritance tax. This means that heirs don’t have to worry about paying additional state-level taxes when receiving an inheritance. However, federal estate tax laws still apply, which can significantly impact high-net-worth estates.

As of 2024, the federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million per individual ($27.22 million for married couples). Estates exceeding this threshold are subject to a 40% federal estate tax. While this tax only affects a small percentage of estates, careful planning can help reduce liabilities and ensure more of your wealth stays with your heirs.

Key Tax-Saving Strategies for Estate Planning

Even though South Carolina doesn’t impose an estate tax, federal tax laws and other financial considerations make proactive planning essential. Here are some strategies to help minimize tax burdens and maximize wealth preservation:

1. Establish a Trust for Asset Protection

A well-structured trust can help manage how assets are distributed while avoiding unnecessary taxation. Some common trust options include:

Revocable Living Trusts – Allow control over assets during your lifetime while avoiding probate.
Irrevocable Trusts – Protect assets from estate taxes by removing them from your taxable estate.
Charitable Remainder Trusts – Provide tax benefits while supporting charitable causes.

By placing assets into certain types of trusts, you can reduce taxable estate value and shield wealth from unnecessary taxes.

2. Take Advantage of the Annual Gift Tax Exclusion

Gifting is one of the simplest ways to reduce estate taxes. As of 2024, you can gift up to $18,000 per recipient per year without triggering the federal gift tax. For married couples, this means you can collectively gift $36,000 per person annually. Over time, this strategy allows significant wealth transfer while reducing the taxable estate.

3. Use the Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption

In addition to annual gifts, individuals can use the lifetime gift tax exemption, which aligns with the federal estate tax exemption of $13.61 million. This allows you to transfer assets during your lifetime without immediate tax consequences.

Strategically gifting assets early can be an effective way to reduce estate size and minimize tax exposure while supporting family members when they need it most.

4. Convert Traditional Retirement Accounts to Roth IRAs

Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are subject to income tax upon withdrawal. However, converting these accounts to a Roth IRA can provide tax-free growth and withdrawals for heirs. This is particularly beneficial if you anticipate higher tax rates in the future.

A Roth conversion strategy can be implemented gradually to reduce tax liability while securing long-term financial advantages for your beneficiaries.

5. Leverage Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)

A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) allows business owners and property holders to pass assets to heirs while maintaining control and reducing estate tax liability. This structure also helps protect assets from creditors and facilitates the seamless transfer of wealth to future generations.

Case Study: How Strategic Planning Saved a South Carolina Family Thousands in Taxes

A South Carolina couple, John and Susan, owned a successful business and multiple real estate properties. Concerned about federal estate taxes, they consulted a South Carolina tax expert to protect their wealth.

They transferred assets into an irrevocable trust, reducing their taxable estate by $3 million. Additionally, they gifted $36,000 per year to each of their two children, gradually lowering their estate value. To further reduce tax burdens, they converted their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs over five years, ensuring their heirs could enjoy tax-free withdrawals.

As a result, John and Susan reduced their potential estate tax liability by over $1 million, ensuring their heirs received more of their hard-earned wealth.

Plan for the Future with Carolina Tax Consulting

Estate planning isn’t just about avoiding taxes—it’s about ensuring financial security for generations to come. As a leading Fort Mill tax consulting firm, our company helps South Carolina residents develop smart, tax-efficient estate plans tailored to their goals. Whether you need guidance on trusts, gifting strategies, or business succession planning, our team is here to provide expert support.