We’ve talked about how a holding company works in the past, provided a beginner’s explanation of holding companies, and even looked at two high profile private holding companies owned by America’s richest families, Walton Enterprises, LLC and Cascade Investment, LLC.  I even gave a very basic explanation over at About.com as to how family members can invest together through a limited liability company. Tonight, I thought I’d go over a very basic, very simplified explanation of a much more advanced concept that isn’t appropriate for most people but will show how a family holding company can be used to gift millions of dollars tax-free to heirs and others, while retaining control of assets and binding a group together economically.  This is a high-level, conceptual explanation.  Do not act on any of this without consulting with your own tax attorney, tax accountant, and other qualified advisers.  None of this is investment advice.  None of this is tax advice.  None of this is legal advice.