Note: The DearEsq free 'ask a lawyer' site is offered as a free informational service to the public and is not intended as legal advice. Laws vary from state-to-state, and in addition every situation is unique, and relevant facts may not be known. The answer to the question posed below may not apply to in your state or to your situation. For legal advice in your state and your situation you should consult with an attorney in your state who is familiar with the rules and laws in your state.
“I am wondering whether you have to pay tax on an inheritance?”In large part whether you have to pay tax on an inheritance will depend on two things: where you live, and your relationship to the deceased. Some states do not have any inheritance tax at all; many others do.
Question: If the state in which you live has an inheritance tax, then how much you will be taxed (usually a percentage) will depend on how you are related – if at all – to the deceased. For example, surviving spouses usually do not have to pay an inheritance tax. Children may or may not have to pay an inheritance tax, and in some states whether or not they have to pay an inheritance tax will depend on how much they inherited.
Answer:
For these reasons, if you are either in receipt of or anticipate receiving an inheritance, it’s best to consult with an attorney in your state who is familiar with the ins and outs of inheritance tax law in your state.
