Estate tax is a federal tax on the transfer of property when someone dies. Most estates don't owe it because the tax only applies to very large estates, but understanding how it works matters if you're managing an estate, planning to leave money to heirs, or wondering whether your family might face this tax. This section covers the basics of what estate tax is, who pays it, and how it affects the transfer of assets after death.
The articles here answer questions like: How much can you leave before estate tax kicks in? What counts as part of your estate? What's the difference between estate tax and inheritance tax? How do trusts and gifts affect estate tax? Whether you're settling an estate or thinking ahead about your own, these explanations break down the rules in straightforward terms.