estate tax

noun

: a tax in the form of a percentage of the taxable estate that is imposed on a property owner's right to transfer the property to others after his or her death compare inheritance tax sense 1

Examples of estate tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Awareness of these potential obstacles is crucial for effective estate tax planning. —Christine Fletcher, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Both plans would repeal the estate tax, the alternative minimum tax, and the tax on investment income imposed by Obamacare. —Alex Raskolnikov, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2017

Keep in mind that over the years the assets are likely to increase in value while the estate tax exemption could decline. —Bob Carlson, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Estate Tax Revisions: Perhaps most important to estate planning attorneys is the discussion on the estate tax exemption (and corresponding gift tax exemption and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption). —Darren T. Case, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

estate tax

noun

: an excise in the form of a percentage of the taxable estate that is imposed on a property owner's right to transfer the property to others after his or her death

called also succession tax

see also unified transfer tax compare gift tax, inheritance tax