AEP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AEP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When a donor contributes appreciated long-term capital gain property to a public charity, the AGI deduction limit is: → 30% of AGI
2. How does a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) benefit estate planning? → It enables charitable giving with income and tax advantages.
3. What is the primary purpose of a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)? → To transfer assets with reduced gift tax liability.
4. What does the step-up in basis rule apply to? → Inherited assets
5. In Accredited Estate Planner, what role does tax planning & strategy play in ensuring client/stakeholder satisfaction? → It builds trust through demonstrated competence and consistency
6. For a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA to qualify for exclusion from gross income, which requirement must be met? → The distribution must not exceed $100,000 per year per taxpayer
7. Which professional would most likely provide tax minimization strategies in an estate plan? → CPA
8. What is the primary purpose of risk assessment & mitigation in the context of Accredited Estate Planner? → To ensure consistent quality and professional accountability
9. Which advanced planning tool involves selling assets to an intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT)? → Intentionally defective grantor trust
10. How should a AEP professional handle a situation where risk assessment & mitigation protocols conflict with practical constraints? → Document the conflict and seek guidance from appropriate authorities
11. Which quality improvement method is most applicable to regulatory compliance & ethics in Accredited Estate Planner? → Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continuous improvement cycle
12. In a cross-purchase buy-sell agreement among three business owners, how many life insurance policies are typically required? → 6
13. What is the significance of peer review in financial analysis & reporting for AEP professionals? → It promotes accountability, knowledge sharing, and quality improvement
14. In which type of business entity is a step-up in income tax basis MOST easily achievable for all business assets upon the death of an owner? → Partnership or LLC taxed as a partnership
15. Which documentation practice is most important for financial analysis & reporting in the AEP field? → Maintaining complete, accurate, and timely records
16. Which technology trend is most likely to impact tax planning & strategy in the AEP field in coming years? → Digital tools for enhanced data collection, analysis, and reporting
17. What is the significance of peer review in tax planning & strategy for AEP professionals? → It promotes accountability, knowledge sharing, and quality improvement
18. In Accredited Estate Planner, what role does regulatory compliance & ethics play in ensuring client/stakeholder satisfaction? → It builds trust through demonstrated competence and consistency
19. Which IRS form must a taxpayer file to report a noncash charitable contribution exceeding $500? → Form 8283
20. What is the significance of peer review in regulatory compliance & ethics for AEP professionals? → It promotes accountability, knowledge sharing, and quality improvement
21. How should a AEP professional handle a situation where regulatory compliance & ethics protocols conflict with practical constraints? → Document the conflict and seek guidance from appropriate authorities
22. Which federal tax is directly associated with transferring property at death? → Estate tax
23. Which fiduciary role involves distributing a decedent’s assets under a will? → Executor
24. Which of the following best describes a 'flip CRUT'? → A net income CRUT that flips to a standard CRUT upon a triggering event such as asset sale
25. How does continuing education relate to tax planning & strategy for AEP certified professionals? → It ensures professionals stay current with evolving standards and best practices
26. In a redemption (entity-purchase) buy-sell agreement, which party owns the life insurance policies on the owners? → The business entity itself
27. Upon a grantor's death, the assets of a revocable trust receive a stepped-up income tax basis under which IRC provision? → IRC §1014
28. IRC §303 provides an important business succession benefit by allowing a partial stock redemption from a closely held corporation to be treated as: → A capital gain or loss rather than a dividend
29. Which tax applies when a person gives over the annual exclusion amount to another individual? → Gift tax
30. A trust protector's primary role in a modern irrevocable trust is to: → Hold certain powers to modify the trust to respond to changing law or circumstances