The IRS has released the AFR interest rate for October, reducing the September AFR rate from 3.4% to 3.2%. While this is above the historically low 2% AFR rate in February, it still represents a very low interest rate, making GRATs a very attractive estate planning device to transfer significant wealth to your family members gift and estate tax free. In this environment where there are some proposals in Congress designed to curtail the use of GRATs, it again highlights that now is the time to seriously consider implementing a GRAT if you have a large taxable estate.
