estate tax

noun

1. a tax imposed on a decedent's property, assessed on the gross estate prior to distribution to the heirs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of estate tax¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

More than a century ago amid soaring inequality and the rise of stratospherically wealthy families such as the Mellons and Rockefellers, Congress created the estate tax as a way to raise money and clip the fortunes of the rich at death.

From ProPublica

More than half of the nation’s 100 richest individuals have used GRATs and other trusts to avoid estate tax, the analysis shows.

From ProPublica

Without the $500 million or so passed through the trusts, he said, Powell Jobs’ heirs would have to sell stock that she intends to give to charity to pay her estate tax bill.

From ProPublica

Virginia gets high marks, for example, for a low minimum wage, no estate tax and for being a right-to-work state, which discourages union membership.

From Washington Post

He added that lawmakers should go beyond reforms targeting the accounts directly and address a potential estate tax dodge related to Roths.

From ProPublica

At present, the federal estate tax kicks in at estates valued at more than $5.34 million.

From The Daily Beast

Trying to rally a nation against the estate tax is a tough lift.

From The Daily Beast

But in my experience, arguing over the estate tax for much of the past decade, the name has nothing to do with it.

From The Daily Beast

They get very upset if you suggest otherwise, whether you call it the estate tax, the death tax, or "fred".

From The Daily Beast

But there are still sticking points, including scheduled increases in the estate tax.

From The Daily Beast

For the commutation tax there should be substituted an estate tax rising from 3d.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• death tax
• inheritance tax