Qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust
Definition
A QTIP trust avoids estate tax on assets transferred to a surviving spouse in trust while allowing the settlor to retain control over the distribution of the trust assets after the surviving spouse’s death. Although outright transfers to a spouse qualify for an unlimited marital deduction, transfers to a spouse in trust generally do not qualify for the marital deduction unless the trust complies with the requirements of I.R.C. § 2056(b)(7).