Skip to Content

We are a Veteran Owned Business, providing 20% discounts for Veterans, First Responders, Elementary and High School teachers. Please contact us to set up a phone or Zoom meeting. Taking care of you and your family, It's What We Do!

Estate and Inheritance Taxes

Estate Planning addresses many taxes, including Estate Taxes and Inheritance Taxes. Both taxes are “Transfer Taxes”, meaning they are triggered by the transfer of an asset from one person to another. For example, if you sell your house you pay a Real Estate Transfer Tax. Likewise, if you sell your car, to transfer the title you pay the state a transfer tax. Estate Tax and Inheritance Taxes are transfer taxes on the transfer of assets from one person to another person at death.

What is the Difference Between an Inheritance Tax and an Estate Tax?

An Estate Tax in a Transfer Tax based on the gross value of the deceased’s estate. An Inheritance Tax is a Transfer Tax based on the characteristics of the person inheriting the assets. For example, the Federal Estate Tax is a tax based on the total gross value of an estate. The tax is the same if the assets pass to the deceased’s friend or the deceased’s child. But, the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax varies depending on the recipient. A child’s inheritance is taxed at 4.5% while a friend’s inheritance is taxed at 15%.

What is the Pennsylvania Estate Tax?

The Pennsylvania Estate Tax was based on the estate’s gross value, but the Pennsylvania Estate Tax was eliminated many years ago. The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax remains.

What is the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax?

The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax is a Transfer Tax triggered at the death of a Pennsylvania citizen or someone who owns Pennsylvania real estate. Being an “Inheritance Tax,”, the amount due depends on the inheriting person’s relationship to the deceased. For example, a child’s inheritance is taxed at 4.5% while a sibling’s inheritance is taxed at 12%. For more detail, see Understanding the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.

What is the New Jersey Estate Tax?

The New Jersey Estate Tax is a Transfer Tax triggered at the death of a New Jersey citizen based on the estate’s gross value. The tax is eliminated in 2018 and only affects 2017 estates exceeding $2,000,000.

What is the New Jersey Inheritance Tax?

The New Jersey Inheritance Tax is a Transfer Tax triggered at the death of a New Jersey citizen on transfers over $500. For more detail, see Understanding the New Jersey Inheritance Tax.

What is the New York Estate Tax?

The New York Estate Tax is a Transfer Tax triggered by the death of a New York citizen or someone owning real estate or tangible property in New York. The tax is based on the estate’s gross value. If your estate is below $5.25M on April 1, 2017 you do not owe any tax. In 2019 the exemption will match the Federal Estate Tax rate.

Is There a Florida Inheritance Tax?

There is no Florida Inheritance Tax, but Florida does have a costly Probate process. This cost often leads to an Estate Plan structured to avoid probate, often using Revocable Trusts.

Is There a Florida Estate Tax?

There is no Florida Estate tax, so Florida residents are only subject to the Federal Estate Tax. Florida does have a rather expensive probate system, often making a Revocable Living Trust a wise choice.

Typical Questions About Estate Tax and Inheritance Taxes

Is an Inheritance Taxable Income?

An Inheritance is not “income”, like your paycheck. Like a gift, an inheritance is not subject to income tax. After you receive and invest your inheritance, any future income created such as interest or dividends is income subject to federal and state income taxes.

What is the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Rate?

The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Rates depend on who is inheriting the asset. The tax rate for transfers to parents or descendants (such as children and grandchildren) is 4.5%, 12% for siblings and 15% for others. Transfers to spouses and charities are not taxed. For more information, see Understanding the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.

What is the New Jersey Inheritance Tax Rate?

The New Jersey Inheritance Tax rate starts at 11% and rises to 16% depending on the amount inherited. For more detail, see Understanding the New Jersey Inheritance Tax.

What is the New York Estate Tax Rate?

The New York Estate tax is a tax on the estate’s gross value, so smaller estates pay no tax. Starting on April 1, 2017 only estates over $5.25M are subject to the tax. In 2019, the rate matches the Federal Estate Tax Exemption. The tax rate varies from 5% to a top 16% rate, depending on the estate’s size.

How Much Money Will My Family Have to Pay in Taxes After I Die?

The taxes due at your death will depend on many factors, such as residence. If you are a Florida resident, there is no state inheritance or estate tax, but if you are a Pennsylvania Resident there is a Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. The location of your assets will also matter. For example, even though you might die a Florida resident, your Pennsylvania real estate is still subject to the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. Other taxes apply, such as capital gains taxes and your final state and federal income taxes. A good estate plan requires reasoned analysis of your assets and the potential taxes. Each estate is different, so only an examination of your assets can answer your question. Once analyzed, an Estate Plan can help reduce or even avoid taxes.

How Do I Avoid the Inheritance Tax?

While some states like Florida have no inheritance tax, others, such as Pennsylvania have the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax and New York, have the New York Estate Tax. If you live in a state with an Inheritance or Estate Tax, there are techniques to avoid the tax. Depending on your situation, an Irrevocable Trust can be an excellent tax reducing tool, such as a SLAT or an ILIT. These trusts all come at a cost. For example, you might avoid the Inheritance Tax but lose your step-up in basis. The only way to determine what, if any, tax reduction Estate Planning tools will work for you is to analyze your estate. This way you can identify the pros and cons and decide if tax avoidance is best for you.

If I Gift My House to My Kids Now, Do They Have to Pay the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax?

The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax includes all assets you gifted within one year of your death. For more detail, see Understanding the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. So, if you give away your house and live one year you can avoid the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax, but there are many negative aspects to this plan. Firstly, your children own the house, and you are a renter. Your home might be taken away if they divorce, die or get sued. Second, at your death, the house does not get a “step-up in basis,” so your children may pay much more in capital gains taxes than they would have paid in Inheritance Taxes. Third, you lose your ability to shelter the house in Dynasty Trusts. Fourth, you will lose any real estate tax deductions or reductions you may have as the owner. There are many other negatives, depending on your particular circumstances. Before making a gift of your house, I suggest we brainstorm the options. There are many ways to reduce Inheritance Tax without having your house end up owned by your son-in-law!

Is There a Pennsylvania Gift Tax?

Most states do not have a Gift Tax. If you are not worried about the Federal Gift Tax, then giving relatives gifts has no tax effect. For example, if you live in Philadelphia and give each uncle $100,000 in 2017 creates no Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. But, if you die within one year of making the gift, your death triggers the tax. For more, read Understanding the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.

Reasonable Prices | Years of Experience | We Make Estate Planning Easier

If you have any questions about Estate or Inheritance Taxes or any other estate planning topics, feel free to contact us to schedule a free consultation. For more than two decades Klenk Law has focused only on Estate Law. We’ve seen it all, and this experience allows us to explain complex estate planning techniques clearly and concisely. We make it easy for you to understand estate planning so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

What Our clients are saying

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Gene Link

Knowledgeable lawyers, helpful attitude, fair fees.

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Dylan Small

Peter provided outstanding advice and preparation of a will and trusts.

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Chris B.

AWESOME LAWYER! Peter Klenk is an exceptional attorney and a very nice person! Today I spoke with Peter about estate planning and was impressed with by his professionalism, cordiality, and attention to detail. I highly recommend Klenk Law for probates, wills, trusts, and other issues germane to estate planning!

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

AJK

Peter has done our family's trust and estate work since our children were born. He is not only extremely knowledgeable and honest but makes sure that our arrangements remain current with the changing legal landscape. I would give him my highest recommendation as a professional in his field.

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Nafeesha. B

When it came down to picking the right attorney to handle my affairs, I knew right away it was this firm. From speaking to their secretary to speaking to Peter I knew I was making the right decision. After only a few mins Peter knew right away what I was looking for and handled all my questions professionally and even gave me great feedback that put my mind at ease. All that without even giving a single penny! So of course I hired him! So far so good...

Let us put our expertise to work for you.

Free consultation within 24 hours.