A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (or GRAT) is a trust you would establish to minimize estate tax on highly appreciating assets. The structure is as follows:
You transfer assets to a GRAT you set up.
Over a certain term of years that you establish, you receive assets back from the GRAT equal in value to what you transferred, plus a relatively small rate of return required by the IRS.
Any value above what you get back from the GRAT (i.e., the appreciation) stays in trust for your spouse/children.
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