The Tax Brief real effective rates for 111+ countries — bi-weekly, free.
TAX GUIDE

Inheriting Money Tax Guide 2026: Federal Estate Tax, Inheritance Tax by State & Step-Up in Basis

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated April 2026
Run the calculator → Jump to FAQ
KEY INSIGHT
In most cases, inheriting money or assets does not trigger income tax for the beneficiary. The federal estate tax is paid by the deceased person's estate (not the heir) and only applies to estates above $13,610,000 in 2026. Inherited assets receive a 'step-up in basis' — the cost basis resets to the fair market value at the date of death, eliminating capital gains on all pre-death appreciation. Six states impose inheritance tax (Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) — the rates and exemptions vary by state and your relationship to the deceased. Inherited IRAs have special rules: non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw the full balance within 10 years under the SECURE Act.
At a glance

Key Facts

The Core Rule: Heirs Generally Pay No Income Tax on Inheritance
Under IRC §102, money or property received as a gift or inheritance is generally excluded from the recipient's gross income. If you inherit $500,000 in cash, stocks, or real estate, you do not report it as income on your Form 1040. The tax is paid by the estate (if the estate is large enough to owe estate tax) — not by you. This is the fundamental rule, but with important exceptions: (1) Income in Respect of a Decedent (IRD): income the deceased earned but had not yet received — like IRA balances, unpaid wages, or deferred compensation — is taxable to the beneficiary when received; (2) Capital gains: if you sell inherited assets above their stepped-up basis, the gain is taxable; (3) Inheritance tax: six states impose a state-level inheritance tax on the beneficiary.
Step-Up in Basis — The Most Valuable Inheritance Tax Rule
When you inherit assets (stocks, real estate, a business), the cost basis is 'stepped up' to the fair market value on the date of the decedent's death. Example: your parent bought Apple stock in 1990 for $10,000. It is worth $500,000 when they die. You inherit the stock with a new basis of $500,000. If you sell it immediately for $500,000, you owe $0 in capital gains. If you wait and sell later for $600,000, you owe capital gains only on the $100,000 gain above the stepped-up basis. Without the step-up, you would have owed capital gains tax on the full $490,000 appreciation — at 20% federal + state: potentially $100,000+. The step-up in basis is one of the most powerful tax planning tools in the US code and is currently the subject of legislative debate about potential repeal or limitation.
Federal Estate Tax — Paid by the Estate, Not Heirs
The federal estate tax (Form 706) is paid by the estate of the deceased person, not by the individuals who inherit. The tax applies only to estates with a gross value above $13,610,000 per person (2026). Most Americans never encounter the federal estate tax. The rate on amounts above the exemption is 40%. If the estate owes estate tax, the executor pays it from estate assets before distributing to heirs — the heirs receive their share after estate tax has been paid. The estate tax exemption is set to drop to approximately $7,000,000 per person in 2027 when TCJA expires unless Congress acts. Even if an estate pays no federal estate tax, step-up in basis still applies to all inherited assets.
State Inheritance Tax — 6 States Tax the Heir Directly
Unlike estate tax (paid by the estate), inheritance tax is paid by the beneficiary. Six states impose inheritance tax in 2026: Iowa (being phased out — no inheritance tax on deaths after 2024); Kentucky (4–16% on amounts above $1,000 for Class B/C beneficiaries; spouses and direct descendants exempt); Maryland (10% on collateral heirs; spouses, children, grandchildren exempt); Nebraska (1–18% depending on relationship; spouse exempt; children/grandchildren 1% above $100,000; others up to 18%); New Jersey (11–16% on amounts above $500 for Class C/D beneficiaries; spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents exempt); Pennsylvania (4.5–15% depending on relationship; spouses exempt; adult children 4.5%; siblings 12%; others 15%). Key planning note: inheritance tax is due from the beneficiary even if the estate itself owes no federal estate tax.
Inherited IRA — The 10-Year Rule (SECURE Act)
Inherited IRAs have special distribution rules. Under the SECURE Act 2.0: Non-spouse beneficiaries (children over age 21, siblings, friends) who inherit a traditional IRA must withdraw the full balance within 10 years. There is no required annual withdrawal amount — you can take all in year 10 — but the full account must be emptied within 10 years. The withdrawals are taxable as ordinary income in the year taken. Spouse beneficiaries can roll the inherited IRA into their own IRA, avoiding the 10-year rule. Minor children who inherit an IRA: the 10-year clock does not start until they reach age 21. Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (EDPs — disabled/chronically ill individuals, certain minor children) may use a life expectancy distribution schedule instead of the 10-year rule.
Inherited Real Estate — Step-Up, Capital Gains, and the $250K Exclusion
Inheriting real estate: the basis steps up to FMV at death. If you sell immediately, no capital gains. If you rent it, depreciation starts from the stepped-up basis at the date of death (not the original purchase price). If you move in: you can use the home as your primary residence and eventually qualify for the Section 121 exclusion ($250,000 gain exclusion single, $500,000 married) — but you must own and live in the home for 2 of the 5 years before sale. Note: the Section 121 exclusion requires the seller to have lived in the home — it applies to your own residence, not automatically to an inherited home you sell without moving in. If you sell without moving in, capital gains above the stepped-up basis are taxable.
Introduction

Receiving an inheritance is one of the most significant financial events many people will experience — and one of the most misunderstood from a tax perspective. The good news: in the vast majority of cases, beneficiaries do not pay income tax on money or assets they inherit. The federal estate tax is paid by the estate, not the heir, and only applies to very large estates. However, there are important exceptions: inherited IRAs are taxable when withdrawn; real estate sold after inheritance generates capital gains above the stepped-up basis; and six states impose inheritance taxes directly on the beneficiary. This guide explains what you will and won't owe when you inherit money, investments, real estate, or retirement accounts.

Section 01

Inherited Assets: Tax Treatment by Asset Type

Different types of inherited assets have different tax rules. Understanding which rules apply to what you have inherited is essential before making any financial decisions.

Cash and Bank Accounts

Inheriting cash or bank account funds: no income tax to the beneficiary. The money is not your income — it is a transfer from the estate. If the bank account earned interest in the year of death: the estate reports interest earned up to the date of death; you report interest earned after the date of death on your return (the bank will send a Form 1099-INT reflecting any post-death interest). No step-up issues for cash — it has no embedded capital gain.

Stocks and Investment Accounts (Non-Retirement)

Stepped up to FMV at date of death. If you inherit a brokerage account with $500,000 of stocks, the broker updates the cost basis to the date-of-death values. Any dividends paid after the date of death are your taxable income (reported on 1099-DIV). Capital gains realised after death are calculated against the stepped-up basis. Practical tip: obtain the date-of-death valuation in writing from the broker or estate executor — you will need this if you sell the inherited shares years later and the IRS questions your basis.

Business Interests (LLC, S-Corp, Partnership)

Inheriting an ownership interest in a business: the basis steps up to FMV at death. The business's inside assets (machinery, real estate, inventory) do not automatically step up — the step-up is to the ownership interest value. Section 754 election by the partnership/LLC can allow inside asset basis to step up to reflect the new outside basis — this is a complex but valuable election that the entity should make after a death. Consult a business CPA before any distributions, sales, or redemptions involving inherited business interests.

US Savings Bonds

Inherited US savings bonds: the accrued interest has not been taxed to the decedent (EE and I bonds report interest at redemption). When you inherit a bond and cash it in, the accrued interest is IRD (Income in Respect of a Decedent) — taxable to you as ordinary income. The estate may also have paid estate tax on the bond value; you can deduct the proportionate estate tax attributable to the IRD item as a deduction on your Schedule A (the IRD deduction).

Section 02

Inheriting from a Trust vs Directly from an Estate

Many inheritances are distributed through trusts rather than directly from the estate. The tax rules differ depending on the type of trust.

Revocable Living Trusts

Most revocable trusts created during the grantor's lifetime become irrevocable at death and distribute assets to beneficiaries. For tax purposes, assets in a revocable trust receive a step-up in basis at the grantor's death, just like directly inherited assets. The trust is treated as a grantor trust during the grantor's lifetime — at death, it becomes a separate taxpayer (trust), files a Form 1041, and pays out to beneficiaries. Distributions from a trust are generally not taxable income to the beneficiary to the extent they are distributions of corpus (principal) — but distributions of trust income (interest, dividends, capital gains distributed out) are taxable in the year distributed.

Testamentary Trusts

A trust created by a will (testamentary trust): funded with estate assets after probate. Trust income is taxable at trust tax rates (which reach the 37% top bracket at only $15,200 of income in 2026 — much lower than individual brackets). Many trustees distribute income to beneficiaries to shift the tax from trust rates to individual rates (beneficiaries typically in lower brackets). Beneficiaries report distributed trust income on Schedule K-1 received from the trust.

Inherited IRA Trust as Beneficiary

Some people name a trust (rather than an individual) as IRA beneficiary. The rules are complex: if the trust is a 'see-through trust' that qualifies under IRS rules (identifies eligible designated beneficiaries), the inherited IRA distributions can be stretched over the beneficiaries' life expectancies in some cases. If the trust does not qualify, the 5-year distribution rule applies. Naming a trust as IRA beneficiary requires specialist estate planning advice — the tax consequences of an improperly structured trust can be severe.

💡

CountryTaxCalc.com is reader-supported. When you use our partner links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate partnerships

Estate & Inheritance Tax CPA

TaxHub

★ 4.8 verified reviews  ·  3,758 reviews

Inherited IRAs, step-up basis planning, state inheritance tax, and estate administration tax require CPA guidance specific to your situation. TaxHub connects you with estate and inheritance tax specialists.

⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.

Get Inheritance Tax Planning Help →

Interested in reaching this audience? Advertise on CountryTaxCalc →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay income tax on money I inherit?

In most cases, no. Money or property received as inheritance is excluded from your income under IRC §102 and is not reported on your Form 1040 as income. The main exceptions are: (1) Inherited traditional IRA or 401(k) funds — these are taxable as ordinary income when you withdraw them; (2) Income earned on inherited assets after the date of death (dividends, interest, rent) — taxable to you; (3) Capital gains if you sell inherited assets above their stepped-up basis; (4) State inheritance tax in the 6 states that impose it (Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Iowa for pre-2025 deaths). If you inherit a $100,000 savings account, a $200,000 brokerage account, and a $400,000 house, you owe no federal income tax on any of it at the time of inheritance — but your future tax situation depends on what you do with those assets.

What is step-up in basis and how does it work?

Step-up in basis means that when you inherit assets, your starting cost basis for capital gains purposes is set equal to the fair market value of the asset on the date of the decedent's death — not what the decedent originally paid for it. Example: your parent paid $20,000 for stock in 1980. It is worth $300,000 when they die. You inherit it with a basis of $300,000. If you sell it the next day for $300,000, you owe $0 in capital gains. If you sell it 5 years later for $380,000, you owe capital gains only on the $80,000 gain above $300,000. The step-up effectively wipes out all capital gains that accrued during the decedent's lifetime. This is the most significant tax advantage of inheritance vs receiving the same assets as a gift (gifts carry over the donor's original basis, not a step-up).

My parent had a large traditional IRA. What are my tax obligations as a beneficiary?

As a non-spouse beneficiary of a traditional IRA (under the SECURE Act rules for deaths after January 1, 2020): you must withdraw the entire balance within 10 years of the date of death. Each withdrawal is ordinary income to you in the year you take it — there is no step-up in basis for IRAs. Withdrawal strategy: you can take the distributions at any pace within the 10 years. If you are in a lower income year (job gap, retirement, low income year), withdrawing more in that year minimises the tax. If you are a high earner throughout, withdrawing evenly over 10 years may be most tax-efficient. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): the IRS issued complex guidance on whether annual RMDs are required within the 10 years if the decedent had already begun RMDs — consult a CPA as this is actively evolving.

I live in Pennsylvania and inherited money from a relative. Do I owe Pennsylvania inheritance tax?

Pennsylvania imposes inheritance tax on inheritances from Pennsylvania decedents (based on where the decedent lived, not the beneficiary). The rate depends on your relationship: 0% for surviving spouses and charities; 4.5% for direct descendants (children, grandchildren) and ancestors (parents, grandparents); 12% for siblings; 15% for all other beneficiaries. The tax is calculated on the value of what you inherit. Example: you inherit $200,000 from your parent (Pennsylvania resident) as their child — you owe $200,000 × 4.5% = $9,000 in Pennsylvania inheritance tax. The tax is due within 9 months of the date of death. Pennsylvania offers a 5% discount if the tax is paid within 3 months. The inheritance tax is separate from any federal estate tax and applies regardless of the size of the estate.

What is the 'IRD deduction' and can I use it?

Income in Respect of a Decedent (IRD) is income the decedent earned but had not yet received at death — most commonly traditional IRA balances, unpaid wages, and deferred compensation. This income is taxable to the beneficiary when received. If the decedent's estate paid federal estate tax and IRD items were included in the estate's gross value, the beneficiary can deduct the estate tax attributable to the IRD items as an itemized deduction on Schedule A. This prevents full double taxation. Example: you inherit $500,000 in traditional IRA funds; the estate paid $200,000 in estate tax partly attributable to the IRA; you can deduct a proportionate share (say $80,000) from your income on Schedule A when you take IRA withdrawals. The IRD deduction calculation requires the estate's Form 706 and CPA assistance.

Should I sell inherited investments immediately or hold them?

This guide provides tax education, not investment or financial advice. From a purely tax perspective: selling immediately after inheritance results in minimal or zero capital gains (since basis was just stepped up to current FMV). Holding means future appreciation above the stepped-up basis will be taxable when you eventually sell. Whether to sell depends on your overall financial plan, diversification needs, and the specific assets — not just tax. For inherited IRA assets: the 10-year forced withdrawal rule means you must engage with the tax question regardless of investment preferences. Consult a financial advisor and a CPA together — the tax-optimal decision is not always the investment-optimal decision.

Can a gifted asset during life avoid estate tax while preserving the step-up?

No — this is an important distinction. Assets given as gifts during the donor's lifetime do NOT receive a step-up in basis at the donor's death. The recipient carries over the donor's original cost basis (a 'carryover basis'). Assets included in the decedent's taxable estate DO receive the step-up. This creates a planning tension: gifts during life remove assets from the taxable estate (potentially reducing estate tax) but eliminate the step-up; keeping assets until death preserves the step-up but keeps them in the estate. For assets with large embedded capital gains (stocks, real estate), it often makes sense to hold them until death to capture the step-up — unless the estate is large enough that estate tax savings from gifting outweigh the lost step-up benefit. This analysis requires CPA and estate planning attorney input.
Disclaimer:This guide provides general tax information for educational purposes only. Inheritance tax rules are complex and highly fact-specific — the relationship to the deceased, state of residence, asset type, and trust structure all affect the outcome. The TCJA estate tax exemption is set to change in 2027. The step-up in basis rules are subject to potential legislative change. This is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult an estate attorney and CPA before making any decisions about inherited assets — the tax consequences of actions taken shortly after inheriting can be difficult or impossible to reverse.
Keep reading

Related Guides

GUIDE
Estate Tax Exemption 2026 Drop
GUIDE
State Estate Tax Guide 2026
GUIDE
State Inheritance Tax Guide 2026
GUIDE
Selling a Business Tax Guide 2026
GUIDE
High Income Earners Tax Guide 2026
GUIDE
USA Tax Calculator
From the brief
PT38.4%−9.6 vs. headline
CY17.8%incl. 60-day rule
AE 0.0%substance required
The Tax Brief · Subscribe free

More like this, every two weeks.

Verified rates, real after-tax figures, plain English. Free.

Bi-weekly. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.