A South Carolina Granter Retained Annuity Trust (GREAT) is a legal financial instrument that allows individuals in South Carolina to transfer assets to a trust while retaining an income stream for a specific period of time. This strategy is commonly used for estate and gift tax planning purposes, enabling individuals to minimize their tax liabilities while maintaining control over their assets. The South Carolina GREAT operates under the provisions of the South Carolina Uniform Trust Code (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-7-101 et seq.). It allowsgranterr (the person creating the trust) to transfer assets, such as real estate, stocks, or cash, into the trust for a predetermined period of time. The granter then receives an annuity payment from the trust during that period, which is typically based on a fixed percentage of the initial value of the assets contributed to the trust. The main benefit of a South Carolina GREAT is its potential to substantially reduce or eliminate gift and estate taxes. By transferring highly appreciating assets into the trust, the granter freezes the assets' value for estate tax purposes, potentially passing on any appreciation to beneficiaries tax-free. When the trust term ends, any remaining assets in the trust pass on to the designated beneficiaries, such as family members, charities, or other entities. There are various types of South Carolina Grants, each with different features and benefits. These include: 1. Zeroed-out GREAT: In this type of GREAT, the annuity payments are set at a level that reduces the taxable value of the gift to zero. The granter receives back all the assets contributed to the trust, making it a popular strategy for minimizing gift tax liabilities. 2. Flip GREAT: A flip GREAT allows the granter to start the trust as a GREAT and then "flip" it into a generation-skipping trust (GST) if certain conditions are met. This strategy can provide a tax-efficient way to transfer assets to future generations while minimizing taxes. 3. Rolling GREAT: This type of GREAT allows the granter to create multiple Grants with different terms, allowing for a rolling and continuous transfer of assets. By establishing new Grants periodically, the granter can continually transfer assets to beneficiaries over time, reducing estate tax liabilities. 4. Charitable GREAT: A charitable GREAT allows for the remainder interest in the trust to be distributed to charitable organizations instead of individual beneficiaries. This can provide significant income tax deductions to the granter while supporting philanthropic causes. In summary, a South Carolina Granter Retained Annuity Trust is a powerful estate and gift tax planning tool that enables individuals to transfer assets to a trust while retaining an income stream. Understanding the various types of Grants available in South Carolina can help individuals tailor their estate planning strategies to best meet their specific goals and objectives.