Back in 2003 or so, when the Bush tax cuts first came in and estate tax exclusions started to rise, the popular (if ghoulish) saying was, "Wait until 2010, when the estate tax disappears! That's the year to die and save your heirs money!"

Forget it! Congress is expected to reinstate the estate tax this year, and make it retroactive to January 1. Same with the generation-skipping tax. However, there is still question about a return to last year's $3.5-million exemption, and the eventual tax rate is still in question.

Truth is, the no-estate tax law could cost most people much, much more. That's because of a provision buried in it: Instead of inheriting property at its value on the owner's date of death, heirs would inherit also the original owner's basis on the property. That means the heirs would be responsible for capital gains taxes on any appreciated property when they sell it.

Should you review your will for tax reasons? Probably. Talk it over with the folks at G M Hietpas CPA, LLC.