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

When values are low and expected to rebound, the long-term appreciation can pass to heirs with little or no estate tax. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

For non-citizen spouses, or non-spouses like Sisters A and B, keeping records of who paid what is critical to minimizing estate tax exposure. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Similarly, Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts enable clients to sell assets to the trust in exchange for a promissory note, freezing asset value for estate tax purposes while transferring future appreciation out of the estate. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

From a gift and estate tax planning perspective, economic downturns offer unique leverage, allowing clients to transfer wealth more efficiently, reduce estate tax exposure, and position themselves for significant long-term advantage. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for estate tax

• anticlimax
• counterattacks
• hemothorax
• mesothorax
• metathorax
• pneumothorax
• almanacs
• carrybacks
• haversacks
• lumberjacks
• maniacs
• microcracks

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