What states have no inheritance tax?

Asked by: Beryl Macejkovic  |  Last update: June 22, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (60 votes)

  • Alabama. There are no death taxes in Alabama, which will make your heirs happy. ...
  • Alaska. Alaska residents can transfer assets to heirs tax-free when they die. ...
  • Arizona. What's not to love about Arizona? ...
  • Arkansas. ...
  • California. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Delaware. ...
  • Florida.

What states are exempt from inheritance tax?

Here are the states where you won't have to pay separate estate or inheritance taxes:
  • Alabama.
  • Alaska.
  • Arizona.
  • Arkansas.
  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Delaware.
  • Florida.

Which state has the worst estate tax?

Washington Estate Tax Exemptions and Rates

Washington has the highest estate tax rate in the Nation, of up to 20%, and they do not offer spousal portability which allows a surviving spouse to utilize their deceased spouse's unused exemption.

How much can you inherit in the US tax free?

While state laws differ for inheritance taxes, an inheritance must exceed a certain threshold to be considered taxable. For federal estate taxes as of 2024, if the total estate is under $13.61 million for an individual or $27.22 million for a married couple, there's no need to worry about estate taxes.

How can I avoid state inheritance tax?

Put everything into a trust

A trust allows you to pass assets to beneficiaries after your death without having to go through probate. Trusts are similar to wills, but trusts generally avoid state probate requirements and the associated expenses that wills typically have to go through.

5 states that impose inheritance tax only and not Estate Tax !

35 related questions found

Does the IRS know when you inherit money?

Inheritance checks are generally not reported to the IRS unless they involve cash or cash equivalents exceeding $10,000. Banks and financial institutions are required to report such transactions using Form 8300. Most inheritances are paid by regular check, wire transfer, or other means that don't qualify for reporting.

Do beneficiaries get taxed on inheritance?

If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income. Example: You inherit and deposit cash that earns interest income. Include only the interest earned in your gross income, not the inherited cash.

What are the disadvantages of inheriting a house?

Inherited properties can come with financial responsibilities such as existing mortgages, unpaid property taxes, maintenance costs, and insurance requirements. Be aware of hidden costs, including emergency repairs, property management fees, and legal expenses.

Do I have to report inheritance to Social Security?

Should You Report Your Inheritance To The SSA? For SSI recipients, you need to report any inheritance to the SSA within 10 days of receiving it. If you don't, you'll have to pay back any overpayments and other penalties. If you receive SSDI payments, you don't need to report anything.

What is the difference between estate tax and inheritance tax?

Estate tax is paid by the deceased person's estate based on the net value of assets at death, while inheritance tax is paid by beneficiaries on what they receive. Estate taxes are paid to the federal or state government, while inheritance taxes are paid only to state governments where applicable.

What state has no real estate tax?

While there is no state in the U.S. that doesn't have property taxes on real estate, some have much lower property tax rates than others. Here's how property taxes are calculated. The effective property tax rate is used to determine the places with the lowest and highest property taxes in the nation.

Does inheritance count as income?

Federal tax laws do not consider most inherited assets to be taxable income. This means that when an individual inherits assets, whether in the form of cash, stocks, real estate, or other valuable properties, the assets are not subject to federal income taxes at the time of transfer.

What is the best trust to avoid estate taxes?

A bypass trust is a popular option for married couples. This trust allows you to leave assets to your spouse estate-tax-free. Following the death of one spouse, the assets in a bypass trust are split into two parts: a revocable marital trust and an irrevocable family trust.

Is there no federal inheritance tax?

The person who receives the assets is responsible for paying the tax. The federal government doesn't have an inheritance tax. As of 2024, six states impose an inheritance tax: Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

What six states require an inheritance tax on people who inherit money?

The other six — Connecticut, Hawai'i, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington — replaced their pick-up tax with an estate tax not tied to the federal tax. Five states — Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — levy a state inheritance tax that was never tied to the federal tax.

Can I collect both my Social Security and my deceased spouse's?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.

Can you lose SSI if you inherit money?

SSI resource limits

A resource limit is the maximum amount of assets (resources) you can have while receiving SSI benefits. An inheritance can make you ineligible for SSI benefits if you are over the resource limit of $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples.

What happens if you inherit money while on Medicare?

Inheriting money or receiving any other windfall, such as a lottery payout, does not bar you in any way from receiving Medicare benefits. An inheritance won't prevent you from receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Social Security disability benefits either.

What is the first thing you do when you inherit a house?

You should first determine whether there is a mortgage on the house. If there is, you'll need to contact the loan servicer. Before they can tell you about the loan balance, you'll need to provide a death certificate and verify that you have inherited the house.

Is it better to inherit cash or property?

Cash is king when it comes to leaving an inheritance,” said Carbone. “It's the simplest asset to deal with in terms of a transfer.”

How do I avoid taxes when inheriting a house?

Inheriting property in California comes with financial opportunities and responsibilities. By leveraging the stepped-up basis, selling strategically, or using tax-saving tools like the principal residence exclusion or a 1031 exchange, you can minimize or avoid capital gains taxes.

What is the most you can inherit without paying taxes?

Many people worry about the estate tax affecting the inheritance they pass along to their children, but it's not a reality most people will face. In 2025, the first $13,990,000 of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes, up from $13,610,000 in 2024. Estate taxes are based on the size of the estate.

What happens when you inherit a house from your parents?

Inheriting a house doesn't usually trigger any tax liabilities by itself. There is no federal inheritance tax, although larger estates may have to pay federal estate taxes. Five states impose an inheritance tax: Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

What should you do if you inherit 100k?

What to do with a large windfall: 8 Top Tips
  1. Don't Do Anything... Yet. ...
  2. Fill Up Your Emergency Fund. ...
  3. Say Goodbye to Debt. ...
  4. Max out Retirement Contributions. ...
  5. Invest Your Money. ...
  6. Give Back. ...
  7. Seek Professional Guidance. ...
  8. Create a Money Plan, Including an Estate Plan.