I am engaging in estate planning, in what year does the estate tax exemption go back down to $1,000,000?

Q: I am engaging in estate planning, in what year does the estate tax exemption go back down to $1,000,000?

A: On January 1, 2011, the estate tax exemption goes from unlimited back down to $1,000,000. Unfortunately for many, this exemption amount targets many people in the middle class. Since the housing boom and increase in the stock market, many people who would not have ordinarily have been considered wealthy will now be subject to the estate tax unless Congress acts.