In a move that helped wealthy beneficiaries, including the beneficiaries of some billionaires, lawmakers made the estate tax in 2010 an optional, default regime.

FORBES: Kinder, Gentler IRS Provides Deadline Relief For 2010 Heirs

Differences in default risk and tax treatment will mean that individual bond markets remain segmented though to the extent that they are less so than now, the euro may still gain.

ECONOMIST: The international euro | The

On September 13, 2011, the IRS released Notice 2011-76, which gives executors of estates of 2010 decedents more time to make an informed decision about whether to stay in the default estate tax regime for 2010 or opt out of the estate tax entirely.

FORBES: Kinder, Gentler IRS Provides Deadline Relief For 2010 Heirs

As leaders prepared to tax bank deposits in order to prevent a default, citizens panicked and caused a run on the banks.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

This law gave people who died in 2010 a special tax break: executors of 2010 decedents can opt out of the default estate tax regime.

FORBES: Tax Deadlines For 2010 Deaths? IRS Finally Issues Guidance