Estate Planning for Digital Assets: Assigning Tax Basis and Value to Digital Assets

Abstract

These materials were prepared in conjunction with the LSU 46th Estate Planning Seminar. They explore the various types of digital assets -- including social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc.), audiobooks, music and video files, and bitcoin -- and the estate planning challenges these assets present. These material also consider the federal estate and gift tax issues posed by digital assets, including questions related to small business valuation.

Keywords: digital assets, estate planning, tax basis, estate tax, gift tax

JEL Classification: K34, K36