July 2025 TRFS Update

JULY HAS ARRIVED—AND THESE HOT PROPERTY UPDATES ARE MAKING WAVES!

NEW! BRP Ranch is a 132.56± acre South Texas property offering a premier hunting experience, diverse terrain, and multiple building sites with long-range views. Ideally located just south of the San Antonio River, this ranch combines recreational appeal with the opportunity to create a private retreat or homestead.

REDUCED! Lost Creek Ranch South is an extraordinary 290± acre Hill Country estate showcasing remarkable natural beauty, tranquility, and contemporary comfort. The property boasts dramatic elevation shifts from approximately 1,620'± to 1,920'± asl, delivering exceptional panoramic vistas in every direction. A beautifully updated rock ranch home, abundant wildlife, and a serene tributary of Cherry Creek, featuring multiple dammed areas, further elevate the ranch’s charm and functionality. An additional 82± acre high-fenced parcel is also available in conjunction with Lost Creek Ranch South.

JUST SOLD! Bar D Ranch is officially off the market! This ranch features gently rolling hills, panoramic views, and lush native grasses, this ranch is an outdoor paradise. The high-fenced property offers a well-maintained habitat supporting diverse wildlife such as whitetail deer, turkey, and dove. Hunting opportunities are plentiful, complemented by strategically placed blinds and feeders that align with the property.

PRAYING FOR THE HILL COUNTRY!

Our hearts are with everyone in the Hill Country affected by the recent flooding. We’re praying for the safety of our neighbors, first responders, and all those impacted in our community. May strength, comfort, and healing surround each of you as we face this trying time together.

RANCH NEWS ARTICLES!

You can see the latest ranch news articles under “Resources” then go down to the “Ranch Articles” tab. The latest article discusses that Texas lawmakers have approved several bills that will impact farmers, ranchers, and rural Texans... Read more. These articles are also featured in our bi-weekly email newsletter.

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We genuinely value your participation in the TRFS community. We eagerly look forward to sharing upcoming property updates and opportunities with you!

Sincerely,

2025 Federal Estate and Gift Tax Limits

IRS announced the 2025 estate and gift tax exemption amount

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced the 2025 estate and gift tax exemption amounts.  Generally speaking, these amounts change slightly each year, and are an important consideration in a person’s estate planning process.

Background

As we have discussed numerous times on this blog and our Ag Law in the Field Podcast, Congress sets an amount of assets that a person is allowed to give during their lifetime or at death without incurring estate or gift tax liability. This is known as the lifetime exemption.  The IRS adjusts the amount each year for inflation. Persons whose estate value is over the lifetime exemption will incur federal estate tax liability of 40% on the overage.

Additionally, federal tax law allows each taxpayer to gift a certain amount to another individual without incurring federal gift tax liability.  This amount is critical for anyone utilizing gifting as part of their estate planning strategy.

[For more information on these taxes, read prior blog posts here and here and listen to prior podcast episode here.]

2025 Limits

For 2025, the lifetime exemption amount will be $13.99 million, an increase of $380,000 from the 2024 exemption.  For a couple, that equates to $27.98 million.  The federal gift tax limit will increase from $18,000 to $19,000.

What happens in 2026?

At least as the law currently stands, a big change will be coming in 2026.  The lifetime exemption is set to drastically decrease as it will sunset back to prior exemptions in 2026.  The estimated lifetime exemption for 2026 will be $7 million/person.  Congress should certainly act to change this by extending the current exemptions or passing a new law, but for now, the decrease is set to go into effect on January 1, 2026.

What does this mean for me?

Estate and gift taxes are an issue of which everyone should be aware.  Everyone should have an idea of the fair market value of their estate.  This is a critical first step in determining if someone could be facing an estate tax issue.  Anyone who is even close to the lifetime exemption amount should be carefully planning their estate to seek to avoid this tax liability.

Additionally, people should take care when making gifts, whether monetary or of assets, and understand what gift tax implications those gifts may have.  It should also be noted that gifts made over the annual limit will likely result in a decrease in the lifetime exemption a person has in the future.

The best advice is to work with an attorney and an accountant to ensure there are no surprising tax issues that arise.