How much money can you inherit before paying taxes?

How much money can you inherit before paying taxes?

Inherited assets from your loved one, whether in the form of cash, stocks or real estate, can be subject to inheritance taxes, depending on your relationship and inheritance value. While most states don’t charge such taxes, those that do have their own rules for the rates and exemptions.

Additionally, reducing inheritance taxes is possible, provided the owner of the assets is still alive to make the arrangements. As a taxpayer, you may also take advantage of certain state discounts. In this article, Inheritance Funding discusses when you need to pay inheritance taxes and how you can avoid or reduce them.

What Is the Maximum Amount You Can Inherit Without Paying Taxes?

The maximum tax-free amount you can inherit depends on state rules — there is currently no federal inheritance tax. Spouses, children and other persons considered Class A or Class 1 beneficiaries or heirs are usually exempt from such taxes. Beneficiaries are those named in a person’s will inheriting the assets, while heirs are persons receiving such assets if there is no will.

The more distant your relationship is, the higher your potential tax rates. Inheritance taxes may also apply if the inherited property is located in a state that charges them, even if you or your loved one does not reside in this state.

Estate Taxes vs. Inheritance Taxes

The estate refers to the totality of your loved one’s assets. It can be subject to estate taxes, depending on its total value, where payments will come from the assets within the estate. In contrast, you, as a beneficiary, will pay for the inheritance taxes. These payments are usually managed by an executor of a will — the person responsible for distributing the assets — or a court-appointed personal representative.

The federal estate tax exemption for 2025 is $13.99 million per person. Because this limit is such a huge amount, only a small percentage of estates are often subject to estate taxes. The amount that exceeds the limit can be charged at up to 40%.

Twelve states and the District of Columbia charge estate taxes, while five states impose inheritance taxes. States with estate taxes include:

1. Connecticut
2. Hawai’i
3. Illinois
4. Maine
5. Maryland
6. Massachusetts
7. Minnesota
8. New York
9. Oregon
10. Rhode Island
11. Vermont
12. Washington

What States Have Inheritance Taxes?

States with inheritance taxes include:

1. Kentucky
2. Maryland
3. Nebraska
4. New Jersey
5. Pennsylvania

Iowa repealed its state inheritance tax for deaths in 2025. For deaths that occurred in 2024, an inheritance tax is due if the estate’s value is $25,000 or more. Here’s what the other states require.

1. Kentucky

Kentucky categorizes three classes of beneficiaries.

Class A:

• Surviving spouse
• Parent
• Child
• Grandchild
• Sibling and half-sibling

Class B:

• Niece and half-niece
• Nephew and half-nephew
• Son- and daughter-in-law
• Aunt and uncle
• Great grandchild

Class C:

• Niece by marriage
• Nephew by marriage
• Great-nieces and nephews
• Cousins
• All other persons not in Class A or B

Class A beneficiaries are exempt from inheritance tax, while those in Class B get a tax rate of 4% to 16% and a $1,000 exemption. Class C beneficiaries have a tax rate of 6% to 16% with a $500 exemption. If you pay the inheritance tax within nine months of your loved one’s passing, you can get a 5% discount. If the amount due is more than $5,000, filed timely, you can pay the amount in 10 equal yearly installments.

All properties in Kentucky are subject to inheritance tax, even if your loved one is not a Kentucky resident.

2. Maryland

In Maryland, if the property you will inherit has a value of up to $1,000, you may not be subject to inheritance tax. You are also tax-exempt if you are your loved one’s:

• Spouse or registered domestic partner
• Child or stepchild
• Grandchild
• Great-grandchild
• Parent
• Grandparent
• Sibling

Collateral heirs, which include nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, must pay a 10% inheritance tax. The same rate applies to other individuals not related by blood.

Maryland charges inheritance taxes for all properties your loved one owned, controlled and benefited from upon their passing. This includes properties they co-owned and those included in the will. Exemptions include:

• Life insurance policy named to you.
• Properties included in a “small estate” as defined by the state.
• Personal properties of a nonresident.
• Estate income or income from the assets after the owner’s passing.
• Real properties subject to perpetual conservation easement.
• Grave maintenance payments of up to $500 included in a will.

3. Nebraska

Nebraska also categorizes beneficiaries into three classes:

Class 1:

• Parent or individual who stood as a parent for over 10 years
• Grandparent
• Sibling
• Child
• Lineal descendant

Class 2:

• Spouse
• Aunt
• Uncle
• Niece
• Nephew

Class 3:

• All other beneficiaries

Lineal descendants are direct descendants of a person, such as children and grandchildren. States typically consider adopted children as lineal descendants, while many states don’t consider biological children the same if they have been adopted by other adults.

Class 1 beneficiaries get a 1% tax rate on amounts they receive over $100,000. Class 2 beneficiaries get 11% for amounts over $40,000. Those in Class 3 get 15% on amounts over $25,000. All beneficiaries under 22 years old are fully exempted.

The inheritance tax is based on the fair market value of the assets. The taxes apply to all gifts made at death, directly or through a trust, and certain rights, like annuities and life estates.

4. New Jersey

New Jersey has a graduated inheritance tax for real and personal properties with an aggregate value of $500 or more. Life insurance proceeds are exempt from this tax. Like other states, New Jersey categorizes beneficiaries into three classes, excluding Class B, which was eliminated on July 1, 1963.

Class A:

• Spouse, civil union partner or domestic partner
• Child, stepchild and mutually acknowledged child
• Grandchildren and great-grandchildren
• Parents and grandparents

Class C:

• Siblings
• Son-in-law
• Daughter-in-law
• Civil union partner of a child

Class D:

• Beneficiaries not classified in other classes

Class A beneficiaries are exempt from inheritance tax, while Class C beneficiaries have the following rates.

• First $25,000: No tax
• Next $1,075,000: 11%
• Next $300,000: 13%
• Next $300,000: 14%
• Over $1,700,000: 16%

Class D beneficiaries get the following rates.

• First $700,000: 15%
• Over $700,000: 16%

Properties in New Jersey, whether your loved one is a resident or not, can be taxed.

5. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania doesn’t charge inheritance taxes on the spouse and parents of children 21 years old or younger. However, the following rates apply to other beneficiaries:

• 4.5% for direct or lineal descendants.
• 12% for siblings.
• 15% for other heirs, except exempt institutions.

Inheritance tax exemptions include:

• Joint properties with the spouse.
• Certain farmland and agricultural properties.
• Personal property from a military member.

Paying the required amount within three months of your loved one’s passing can get you a 5% discount. Payments become delinquent after nine months.

Who Is Exempt From Inheritance Tax?

Each state with inheritance taxes has its own exemption rules. Usually, the surviving spouse, children and other Class A or Class 1 beneficiaries are exempt from the tax. Some entities, such as charitable and religious institutions, may also be exempt, depending on the state.

How to Reduce Inheritance Taxes

Reducing inheritance taxes is possible through estate planning, where the asset owner is still alive. The goal is to reduce the number of assets your loved one passes on upon their death. Some strategies to consider include the following.

• Gifting: Gifting can reduce the number of assets to be passed down. In 2025, you can gift up to $19,000 per recipient without owing federal gift taxes. This can also reduce the size of the taxable estate. Charitable giving, such as donations to qualified charities, can also reduce the estate size while offering inheritance tax exemptions in certain states.
• Irrevocable trusts: An irrevocable trust removes assets from a person’s estate by handing over control to the beneficiary. The original owner also gives up their right to withdraw assets from the trust. They would need a court order to update the trust’s terms.
• Life insurance policies: A life insurance policy is not subject to inheritance taxes. Proceeds can also help cover estate taxes and bill payments.

Some states set periods during which assets gifted a few years before the owner’s passing can still be subject to an inheritance tax, as they may have been transferred in contemplation of death. For instance, in Nebraska, gifts made within three years prior to the owner’s death can be subject to an inheritance tax. When planning to distribute assets to reduce taxes, consider the relevant state’s statutory lookback.

How to Pay Inheritance Taxes

Payment instructions vary per state, including the filing authorities responsible and deadlines. Here’s how the five states differ.

1. Kentucky: The personal representative must file the inheritance tax return, unless all beneficiaries are exempted. Otherwise, the court would only need an affidavit of exemption. You can pay through check or money order, addressed to the Department of Revenue. The return is due within 18 months after your loved one’s passing. If taxes aren’t paid past 18 months, you may incur interest or penalties.
2. Maryland: The local Register of Wills collects the inheritance tax payments in Maryland. The Register assesses the amount due, while the personal representative or executor will collect the tax payment from you.
3. Nebraska: The county court where your loved one resided, or where the property is located, determines the inheritance tax. You’ll need to pay the amount to the county treasurer. You and the personal representative are liable for the unpaid tax.
4. New Jersey: The personal representative needs to file the inheritance tax return with the state’s Division of Taxation. Together with the tax due, the return is due eight months after the date of your loved one’s passing. Past these eight months, the amount garners a 10% interest annually. The personal representative can mail your check payment, together with the return, to the Division.
5. Pennsylvania: The personal representative can file the inheritance tax return with the Register of Wills in the county where your loved one resided. The tax amount is due at your loved one’s death and becomes delinquent after nine months. The representative can submit your payment together with the return, or you can pay through the Department of Revenue’s payment portal. Other payment options are available if you are unable to pay the full amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

To further understand inheritance taxes and how you can work around them, consider these questions and answers.

Do I need to report inheritance money to the IRS?

An inheritance is not considered taxable income, so you don’t need to report what you receive to the IRS. The executor or personal representative is responsible for filing the inheritance tax return. However, you may need to report earnings you receive from the inheritance.

What is the loophole of the inheritance tax?

The loophole for inheritance taxes refers to the step-up basis rule. Once you inherit the assets, their value is stepped up to the fair market value at the time of your loved one’s passing. This can reduce the inheritance tax you owe and the capital gains tax if you sell the assets later on, provided the asset has appreciated in value from its initial purchase.

States use the asset’s fair market value in determining the inheritance tax. Because the adjusted value reflects a smaller profit, you’ll also owe less in capital gains tax.

Can I gift money to avoid inheritance tax?

Yes, you can gift money or other assets to reduce or avoid inheritance tax. You only need to remember your state’s statutory lookback, as gifts given a few years before the owner’s passing can still be charged.

Tax-Free Inheritance Money Varies Per State

Most states don’t charge inheritance taxes. However, for those who do, the amount of money you can inherit before owing taxes depends on each state. States with inheritance taxes include:

1. Kentucky
2. Maryland
3. Nebraska
4. New Jersey
5. Pennsylvania

Beneficiaries closely related to the person who passed, usually called Class A or Class 1 beneficiaries, are often exempt from the taxes. Distant relatives and persons not related by blood may be charged higher rates. Reducing or avoiding inheritance taxes is possible, but only if the original owner is still living to distribute the assets before their death. Otherwise, consider paying the taxes early to potentially qualify for a discount. Some states may also permit installment payments for larger tax amounts.

This story was produced by Inheritance Funding and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.