10/23/2026
When passing assets to the next generation, the conversation goes far beyond deciding who receives what. It centers on how those assets will be taxed once they change hands, and whether their value is preserved or quietly reduced in the process. Many families are surprised to learn that a lack of planning around cost basis can trigger avoidable capital gains taxes, diminishing the very legacy they intended to preserve.
This is where the step-up in basis serves as a powerful provision that can significantly limit capital gains exposure on inherited assets if structured correctly.
In this article, we break down how the step-up in basis works and why it plays a critical role in passing assets efficiently and safeguarding long-term family wealth.
Want to preserve wealth when passing assets to heirs? Brion Harris is a financial advisor at Premier Planning Group in Annapolis, MD.