death duty

noun

, British.

1. inheritance tax.

death duty

noun

1. a tax on property inheritances: in Britain, replaced in 1975 by capital transfer tax and since 1986 by inheritance tax Also calledestate duty

Word History and Origins

Origin of death duty¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Austria abolished inheritance tax in 2008, one of a handful of European countries that do not impose inheritance tax - or death duties.

From BBC

The great museums and galleries of the US would be practically bare without the generosity of private donors; in the UK, the wealthy typically leave their pictures to the nation to avoid paying death duties.

From BBC

In 1950, a crisis: The 10th duke died suddenly at age 55, and death duties of 80 percent unexpectedly came due.

From Washington Post

His statement outlines how the team, with more than 40 employees from around the country, is temporarily assigned to death duty.

From Washington Post

The impact of Lloyd George’s 1909 People’s Budget taxes on land, death duties and high incomes, was made suddenly sharper by the inflation that followed the war.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• death tax
• estate tax