Estate Tax
Definition of "Estate tax"
Wondering what is an estate tax? While the name makes it seem like a variation to regular “property tax”, the correct estate tax definition is pretty different.
An estate tax is a federal tax imposed on the estate of a decedent according to the value of that estate upon the death of the taxpayer/homeowner via a will or according to state intestate laws. In other words: a tax the government collects from the transfer of real estate as an inheritance.
Note: estate tax does not apply to surviving spouses; only when the beneficiary is an heir. Plus, the tax is paid by the estate, not the heirs.
The first step in the computation of the federal estate tax owed is to determine the value of the decedent's gross estate. This determination can be made by adding the following values of assets owned by the decedent at the time of death:
- property owned outright.
- gratuitous lifetime transfers, but with the stipulation that the decedent retained the income or control over the income.
- gratuitous lifetime transfers subject to the recipient's surviving the decedent.
- gratuitous lifetime transfers subject to the decedent's retaining the right to revoke, amend, or alter the gift.
- annuities purchased by the decedent that is payable for the lifetime of the named survivor as well as the annuitant.
- property jointly held in such a manner that another party receives the decedent's interest in that property at the decedent's death because of that party's survivorship.
- life insurance in which the decedent retained incidents of ownership.
- life insurance that was payable to the decedent's estate.
The second step in the computation of the federal estate tax owed is to subtract allowable deductions (including bequests to charities, bequests to the surviving spouse, funeral expenses, and other administration expenses) from the gross estate. This results in the tax estate. Adjustable taxable gifts are then added to the tax estate, resulting in the computational tax base.
When buying a home, think about the future. Ask your real estate agent to recommend a tax specialist so you’re not caught off guard regarding any taxable assets.
Popular Real Estate Terms
A group of investment bankers underwriting and distributing a new or outstanding issue of securities of a real estate business. a professionally managed limited partnership investing in ...
A cost of funds index that most adjustable rate mortgages written in California in recent years are tied to. Computed by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, it reflects the cost ...
Expenditures incurred to improve a specific real estate development; however, these improvements are not directly on the property. Example are curbs, driveways, and streets. ...
Need to know the Ad Litem definition after coming across this weird term? Ad litem is short for “Guardian Ad Litem” or “Attorney Ad litem”, a legal term that ...
Loss of property from nonfulfillment of some duty or condition. In some cases, forfeiture is required by a court order, whereas in other cases the nonfulfillment of a contractual debt is ...
A way to sell and finance property by which the seller keeps title but the buyer takes possession while installment payments are being made. The gain is taxed while the mortgage ...
The right of a landowner to have lateral land support from adjacent properties. The right of lateral and subjacent support means that an adjacent land owner may not, for example, lower or ...
The term after-tax rate of return calculates an investor’s net return after income taxes. The calculation is used by many businesses and investors to determine their real earnings. ...
Shingles having uniform length, but random width. Random shingles give a creative appearance to a roof. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.