Purpose

• The primary purpose of an irrevocable trust is to transfer tax liability from the maker (or grantor) of the trust, to the trust itself. Depending on state statutes and the language in the document governing a trust, the trust may receive a more favorable estate tax, or death tax, rate. Transferring assets out of the estate of the individual who originally owned the assets into an irrevocable trust has the effect of reducing the value of the grantor's estate to an amount that is exempt from federal estate taxes.
  
  

Grantor Vs. Non-Grantor Trusts

• According to the Internal Revenue Code, a grantor trust is any trust over which the grantor or other owner retains the power to control or direct the trust's income or assets. In general, a grantor trust is ignored for income tax purposes, and all of the income, deductions, etc., are treated as belonging directly to the grantor. A non-grantor trust is irrevocable, and the grantor relinquishes all rights and powers over the income and assets in the trust.
  
  

Taxpayer ID

• A revocable, grantor-type trust does not require an employer identification number (EIN) or tax identification number (TIN); all income is taxable under the grantor's Social Security number. A valid non-grantor-type trust requires a TIN in the name of the trust entity. The trustee will need a new EIN or TIN if a revocable trust changes to an irrevocable trust (for example, at the death of the grantor).
  
  

Naming Conventions

• The name of an irrevocable trust is determined at the time an attorney draws the trust agreement on behalf of the grantor. The typical naming convention for an irrevocable trust includes the name of the grantor, the date the trust was created, and the name and designation of the trustee. For example, an irrevocable trust created by Jane Z. Doe on July 4, 2010, would be "The Jane Z. Doe Irrevocable Trust Dated July 4, 2010, XYZ National Bank, Trustee."