An Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT) is a type of irrevocable trust used in estate planning to transfer assets out of an individual’s estate while allowing the individual to retain certain control over the assets for income tax purposes. Despite its name, the “defective” aspect of an IDGT refers to certain tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code, making it a powerful tool for tax-efficient wealth transfer.

Here’s how an IDGT works:

1. **Irrevocable Trust**: An IDGT is structured as an irrevocable trust, meaning that once assets are transferred into the trust, they generally cannot be removed or revoked by the grantor (the individual creating the trust). As a result, the assets are typically removed from the grantor’s estate for estate tax purposes.

2. **Defective Grantor Status**: Despite being irrevocable, an IDGT is intentionally designed to be treated as a grantor trust for income tax purposes. This means that the grantor is still considered the owner of the trust for income tax purposes, and income generated by the trust assets is taxed to the grantor personally rather than to the trust itself. This can result in certain income tax advantages for the grantor, such as the ability to pay income taxes on behalf of the trust without triggering additional gift tax consequences.

3. **Asset Transfers**: The grantor transfers assets into the IDGT either by directly funding the trust with cash or assets or by selling assets to the trust in exchange for a promissory note. In either case, the goal is to remove the assets from the grantor’s estate for estate tax purposes while retaining control over the assets or the income they generate.

4. **Wealth Transfer Benefits**: By removing assets from the grantor’s estate and allowing them to appreciate outside of the estate, an IDGT can effectively transfer wealth to beneficiaries with reduced estate and gift tax consequences. Additionally, because the grantor pays income taxes on behalf of the trust, the trust itself can grow tax-free, further maximizing the wealth transfer potential.

5. **Estate Tax Considerations**: Although assets transferred to an IDGT are generally removed from the grantor’s estate for estate tax purposes, there may be certain estate tax implications depending on the structure of the trust and the timing of asset transfers. Grantors should work closely with legal and tax advisors to ensure that an IDGT is structured and administered properly to achieve their estate planning goals.

Overall, an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust can be a valuable tool for high-net-worth individuals seeking to transfer wealth to future generations while minimizing estate and income tax liabilities. However, due to the complexity of tax laws and estate planning strategies, individuals considering an IDGT should seek advice from qualified professionals familiar with estate planning and tax law.