The Calculators tool provides a specialized suite of high-speed modeling tools for estate planning. This article explains the difference between our two modeling environments and provides a "Strategy Playbook" for each available calculator.
Calculators vs. Scenario Modeling
It is important to choose the right environment based on your current objective:
Calculators: Best for quick, focused "what-if" checks on a single strategy. Use these as a digital scratchpad to see if a strategy is even worth pursuing.
Scenario Modeling: Best for comprehensive planning. This environment allows for side-by-side analysis, saves data into permanent client records, and creates schedule snapshots for formal reporting.
NOTE- Data Saving: While standalone calculators act as a scratchpad, using these same tools within the Scenario Builder flow will automatically save the strategy data and schedules into the client's record.
The Estate Strategy Playbook
1. GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity Trust)
What it does: Estimates how a GRAT can shift asset growth out of an estate while maintaining annuity payments to the grantor.
Best Use Case: When a client holds high-appreciation assets and wants to "freeze" the estate value.
Key Inputs: Starting value, growth rate, 7520 rate, and payout term.
The Output: A full payment schedule and an estimate of the taxable gift.
2. CLAT (Charitable Lead Annuity Trust)
What it does: Models charitable lead payments over a set term and calculates the remainder left for non-charitable beneficiaries.
Best Use Case: When a client has strong charitable intent but also wants to pass wealth to heirs efficiently.
The Output: An annuity schedule and charitable deduction calculations.
3. QPRT (Qualified Personal Residence Trust)
What it does: Projects the outcome of transferring a personal residence, focusing on gift value and potential estate tax savings.
Best Use Case: When a client wants to transfer a primary or secondary home while retaining the right to live in it for a term of years.
The Output: Projected home value at the end of the term and estimated estate tax savings.
4. SLAT (Spousal Lifetime Access Trust)
What it does: Models trust outcomes that preserve indirect access to assets through a spouse while using the grantor's gift exemption.
Best Use Case: For married clients who want to move assets out of their estate but are concerned about "locking away" too much capital.
The Output: Detailed gift amount, exemption usage (current and remaining), and a full trust schedule.
5. Intrafamily Loans (Promissory Notes)
What it does: Tests structured family lending, including repayment schedules and interest impacts.
Best Use Case: Evaluating structured family lending or "sale to a defective trust" cash flows.
Pro Tip: The tool provides built-in AFR-style guidance based on the loan date, term, and frequency.
6. State Estate Tax
What it does: Provides a quick, transparent estimate of death-tax exposure at the state level.
Best Use Case: For clients in "decoupled" states (like NY or WA) where state-level exclusions are much lower than the federal limit.
The Output: Estimated state tax, applicable exclusions, and a step-by-step breakdown of the calculation.
How to Use the Calculators
To ensure accuracy, the calculators do not run "live" as you type. Once you have entered your variables:
Locate the Calculate or Generate Table button at the bottom of the form.
Click to Run: The system will process the math and generate the charts and schedules.
Review Results: If you change a variable, you must click the button again to refresh the math.
FAQ
Why can't I find the ILIT or CRUT calculator?
While these strategies are in our roadmap, the ILIT, CRUT, and standalone Gifting calculators are not currently active in the live "Calculators" menu.
Does the math include "Sunsetting" rules?
Yes. Our SLAT and Estate Tax calculators pre-calculate exemption values based on current baseline logic, including projected shifts in tax law where applicable.
Can I move a GRAT I built in the Calculator into a Scenario?
Not directly from the scratchpad. To save a GRAT to a client's plan, open the Scenario Builder and add the GRAT strategy there.