What is a primary purpose of a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)?

The primary purpose of a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) is to transfer ownership of a house to beneficiaries after a specified trust term. A QPRT is an estate planning tool that allows an individual to place their personal residence in a trust while retaining the right to live in the home for a set period. After this trust term expires, the ownership of the residence is transferred to the beneficiaries, often children or other family members.

One significant advantage of using a QPRT is that it can reduce the value of the estate for tax purposes, as the property is treated as a gift to the beneficiaries, and any appreciation in value after the transfer is excluded from the grantor's estate. This strategy can be especially beneficial for individuals with appreciating real estate, as it allows them to pass on their home at a reduced gift tax cost.

This answer aligns with the tax benefits and estate planning strategies employed through QPRTs, as they facilitate the transfer of real estate to heirs while providing the grantor the right to live in the residence during the trust term.