IRS Written Determinations

Free IRS private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda, and Chief Counsel advice with plain-English summaries and the official IRS release on every page.

18,373 determinations and counting · Newest release August 21, 2026
1,163 determinations Estate Tax

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PLR

Late portability election granted so a surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate tax exclusion

Portability lets a surviving spouse add their late spouse's unused estate tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to their own, but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes the election on a timely filed…

202220013·May 20, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability election granted so a surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate tax exclusion

Portability lets a surviving spouse add their late spouse's unused estate tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to their own, but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes the election on a timely filed…

202220011·May 20, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability election granted so a surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate tax exclusion

Portability lets a surviving spouse add their late spouse's unused estate tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to their own, but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes the election on a timely filed…

202220010·May 20, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability election granted so a surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate tax exclusion

Portability lets a surviving spouse add their late spouse's unused estate tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to their own, but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes the election on a timely filed…

202220006·May 20, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability election granted so a surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate tax exclusion

When someone dies, their estate can elect "portability," which lets the surviving spouse add the deceased spouse's unused estate tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to their own. That election is made…

202220001·May 20, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants a late estate to make a portability election to preserve a deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion

"Portability" lets a surviving spouse use the unused portion of a deceased spouse's estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes the election on a timely…

202219009·May 13, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants an estate 120 extra days to make a late portability election for the deceased spouse's unused exclusion

When someone dies, their estate can make a "portability" election under IRC § 2010(c)(5)(A) so the surviving spouse can use the deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount). That…

202217007·April 29, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants an estate 120 extra days to make a late portability election for the deceased spouse's unused exclusion

When someone dies, their estate can make a "portability" election under IRC § 2010(c)(5)(A) so the surviving spouse can use the deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount). That…

202217006·April 29, 2022
Approved
PLR

A granddaughter's testamentary power of appointment is limited, not general, so the grandfathered trust stays GST-exempt and out of her estate

A family trust traces back to a settlor who died before September 25, 1985, which makes the trust "grandfathered" and generally exempt from the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. Over two…

202217005·April 29, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants an estate 120 extra days to make a late portability election for the deceased spouse's unused exclusion

When someone dies, their estate can make a "portability" election under IRC § 2010(c)(5)(A) so the surviving spouse can use the deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount). That…

202217002·April 29, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants an estate 120 extra days to make a late portability election for the deceased spouse's unused exclusion

When someone dies, their estate can make a "portability" election under IRC § 2010(c)(5)(A) so the surviving spouse can use the deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount). That…

202217001·April 29, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension for an estate to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exemption, the surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a…

202216014·April 22, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension for an estate to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exemption, the surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a…

202216013·April 22, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension for an estate to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exemption, the surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a…

202216011·April 22, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension for an estate to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exemption, the surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a…

202216010·April 22, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension for an estate to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exemption, the surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a…

202216009·April 22, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension for an estate to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exemption, the surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a…

202216008·April 22, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants an estate 120 days to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-and-gift tax exclusion, a "portability" election lets the surviving spouse pick up the unused amount (the DSUE), but only if the deceased…

202215014·April 15, 2022
Approved
PLR

IRS grants an estate 120 days to make a late portability election

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-and-gift tax exclusion, a "portability" election lets the surviving spouse pick up the unused amount (the DSUE), but only if the deceased…

202215010·April 15, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension to make a late estate-tax portability election

An estate wanted to transfer a deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to the surviving spouse through a "portability" election, which is made on a timely filed estate tax…

202214011·April 8, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension to make a late estate-tax portability election

An estate wanted to transfer a deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to the surviving spouse through a "portability" election, which is made on a timely filed estate tax…

202214010·April 8, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension to make a late estate-tax portability election

An estate wanted to transfer a deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) to the surviving spouse through a "portability" election. That election is made on a timely filed…

202214006·April 8, 2022
Approved
PLR

120-day extension to make a late estate-tax portability election

When someone dies, their estate can "port" (transfer) the deceased spouse's unused estate-tax exclusion to the surviving spouse, but only by filing a timely estate tax return (Form 706) that makes…

202214002·April 8, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100-3 extension to make a late portability (DSUE) election for a small estate

A surviving spouse can inherit a late spouse's unused federal estate-tax exclusion (the "DSUE" amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes a "portability" election on a timely filed…

202213008·April 1, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100-3 extension to make a late portability (DSUE) election for a small estate

A surviving spouse can inherit a late spouse's unused federal estate-tax exclusion (the "DSUE" amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes a "portability" election on a timely filed…

202213006·April 1, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100-3 extension to make a late portability (DSUE) election for a small estate

A surviving spouse can inherit a late spouse's unused federal estate-tax exclusion (the "DSUE" amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes a "portability" election on a timely filed…

202213005·April 1, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100-3 extension to make a late portability (DSUE) election for a small estate

A surviving spouse can inherit a late spouse's unused federal estate-tax exclusion (the "DSUE" amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes a "portability" election on a timely filed…

202213004·April 1, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100-3 extension to make a late portability (DSUE) election for a small estate

A surviving spouse can inherit a late spouse's unused federal estate-tax exclusion (the "DSUE" amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes a "portability" election on a timely filed…

202213002·April 1, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100-3 extension to make a late portability (DSUE) election for a small estate

A surviving spouse can inherit a late spouse's unused federal estate-tax exclusion (the "DSUE" amount), but only if the deceased spouse's estate makes a "portability" election on a timely filed…

202212001·March 25, 2022
Approved
PLR

Estate granted extra time to make the "portability" election for the surviving spouse

A surviving spouse can inherit the unused part of a deceased spouse's federal estate-tax exclusion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE, amount), but only if the deceased spouse's…

202210017·March 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Estate granted extra time to make the "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

A surviving spouse can inherit the unused portion of a deceased spouse's federal estate-tax exclusion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE, amount), but only if the deceased spouse's…

202210008·March 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Estate gets extra time to make a "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can be transferred to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE, amount). This…

202210007·March 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can be passed to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability"…

202208011·February 25, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202208007·February 25, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202207009·February 18, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202207008·February 18, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202207006·February 18, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202207004·February 18, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202206017·February 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Extra time for an estate to make a late "portability" election so the surviving spouse can use the decedent's unused estate-tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate-tax exclusion can pass to their surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election,…

202206014·February 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Court-approved trust modification keeps grandfathered GST-exempt status; only appointed property enters the child's estate

A trust created under a will became irrevocable when the grantor died before September 25, 1985, so it is "grandfathered" and exempt from the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax as long as it is…

202206008·February 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late relief for an estate to make a portability election for the unused estate tax exclusion

When someone dies, any unused portion of their federal estate tax exclusion can be passed to a surviving spouse (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) through a "portability" election.…

202206006·February 11, 2022
Approved
PLR

Estate gets more time to make a portability election for the surviving spouse

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-and-gift tax exemption, the estate can make a "portability" election that lets the surviving spouse use the leftover amount, called the…

202204005·January 28, 2022
Approved
PLR

Estate gets more time to make a portability election for the surviving spouse

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-and-gift tax exemption, the estate can make a "portability" election that lets the surviving spouse use the leftover amount, called the…

202204004·January 28, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202203012·January 21, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202203011·January 21, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202203008·January 21, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202203003·January 21, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202202008·January 14, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late QDOT citizenship notice (Form 706-QDT) allowed so the trust escapes the section 2056A estate tax

When a U.S. decedent's surviving spouse is not a U.S. citizen, property qualifies for the estate-tax marital deduction only if it passes to a qualified domestic trust (QDOT), and distributions of…

202202006·January 14, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202202005·January 14, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability (DSUE) election allowed under 9100 relief

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the surviving spouse can inherit the leftover amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) only if the…

202202003·January 14, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability election for a deceased spouse's unused exclusion allowed under 9100 relief

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE amount) can be passed to the surviving spouse, but…

202201009·January 7, 2022
Approved
PLR

Late portability election for a deceased spouse's unused exclusion allowed under 9100 relief

When someone dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE amount) can be passed to the surviving spouse, but…

202201007·January 7, 2022
Approved
PLR

9100 relief to make a late portability election so a surviving spouse can use the DSUE amount

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate tax exclusion, the unused portion (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) can pass to the surviving spouse, but only if the…

202152011·December 30, 2021
Approved
PLR

Retroactive scrivener's-error trust fix does not create a spousal general power of appointment, and the reverse QTIP election stays valid

When the grantor of a revocable trust died, the trust split into a family fund and a marital trust for his surviving spouse. An earlier draft of the trust required that any successor trustee be…

202152006·December 30, 2021
Approved
PLR

9100 relief to make a late portability (DSUE) election for an estate not otherwise required to file

When a married person dies without using all of their federal estate-tax exclusion, the estate can elect "portability" to pass the unused amount (the deceased spousal unused exclusion, or DSUE) to…

202152002·December 30, 2021
Approved
PLR

Late-election relief to make a portability (DSUE) election for an estate that was not required to file an estate tax return

When one spouse dies without using all of the federal estate and gift tax exclusion, the survivor can inherit the unused amount (the deceased spousal unused exclusion, or DSUE) through a…

202151002·December 23, 2021
Approved
PLR

IRS grants a late-filing estate 120 days to make a portability election for the deceased spouse's unused exclusion

When one spouse dies, the estate can "port" the deceased spouse's unused estate-and-gift-tax exclusion (the DSUE amount) over to the surviving spouse, but only by making an election on a timely…

202150013·December 17, 2021
Approved
PLR

IRS grants a decedent's estate more time to make the portability (DSUE) election

When one spouse dies without using all of their federal estate and gift tax exclusion, the unused amount (the "deceased spousal unused exclusion," or DSUE) can be transferred to the surviving…

202149002·December 10, 2021
Approved

What these documents are

  • Private letter rulings (PLRs): A taxpayer asked the IRS to rule on a planned transaction before doing it. The ruling shows exactly how the IRS applied the Code to those facts.
  • Technical advice memoranda (TAMs): The IRS National Office answering a question raised during an audit or other proceeding.
  • Chief Counsel advice (CCAs): IRS lawyers advising their own field staff on how to apply the law.
  • Determination letters: Rulings on exempt-organization matters, such as whether an organization qualifies under § 501(c)(3) or a foundation's grant procedures pass § 4945.
  • Not precedent, still useful: Under 26 U.S.C. § 6110(k)(3) none of these can be cited as precedent. They remain the best public window into how the IRS actually rules on facts like yours, and practitioners read them for exactly that.