The federal estate tax is a transfer tax. It is a tax on the right to transfer property at death, not a tax on the property itself. However, the tax is measured by the value of the property or property interests transferred.

The federal estate tax reaches the value of property owned by the decedent since a transfer of the decedent's property takes place at the time of death. However, the tax is also imposed upon certain gratuitous transfers that the decedent may have made.

Transfers of property during life may also be subject to the federal gift tax, and since the two taxes are not uniform as to what constitutes a completed gift, they sometimes overlap.

The federal death tax is an estate tax as distinguished from an inheritance tax.

Many state death taxes are inheritance taxes. An inheritance tax is a tax on the right to receive property from a decedent. It is based on the value of each beneficiary’s share, with exemptions and rates varying, depending upon the relationship of the beneficiary to the decedent. The estate tax, on the contrary, is a tax on an individual’s right to transfer property at death and is based upon the value of the taxable estate as a whole.

The determination of the federal estate tax involves four major steps:

• Deciding what property is to be included in the gross estate.
• Valuing the property included.
• Applying allowable deductions in arriving at the taxable estate.
• Computing the tax.

The estate tax is imposed on the transfer of the taxable estate. The taxable estate is the gross estate less allowable deductions.

The following illustrates the steps in computing the federal estate tax:

Gross Estate

Less: Deductions for expenses, debts, and losses.

Equals: Adjusted gross estate.

Less: Marital and charitable deductions.

Equals: Taxable estate.

Plus: Adjusted taxable gifts.

Equals: Estate tax computation base.

The unified rate schedule is applied to the estate tax computation base.

Equals: Tentative estate tax.

Less: Post-1976 gift taxes paid, unified credit, state death tax credit, and other credits allowed.

Equals: Estate tax payable.

The gross estate consists of the value of:

• Property owned by decedent of death
  
  
• Dower and curtesy interests (N/A Texas)
  
  
• Gifts within three years of death
  
  
• Gifts with life interest retained
  
  
• Gifts taking effect at death
  
  
• Revocable gifts
  
  
• Annuities
  
  
• Joint interests
  
  
• Power of appointment
  
  
• Proceeds of insurance
  
  
• Transfers for insufficient consideration
  
  
• Certain marital deduction property
  
  
• Community property

General Rule: Property is generally included in the gross estate at its fair market value at the date of the decedent’s death. I.R.C. Section 2031: Reg., Section 20.2031-11. Fair market value means the price at which the property would change hands between a willing seller and a willing buyer.

Alternate Valuation Date: At the executor’s election, the gross estate may also be valued at its fair market value on the alternate valuation date. I.R.C. Section 2032. The alternate valuation date is generally the date six months after death. If property was sold or disposed of during the six-month period, it is valued as of the date of disposition.

The election to use the alternate valuation date may be made only where both the total value of all property in the gross estate and the federal estate tax liability of the estate are reduced by making the election. It is not possible to use the alternate valuation election to pass property with a higher basis to an heir or beneficiary. If lower, the date-of-death value must be used. However, if the value of property declines due merely to the passage of time (e.g., an annuity), the date-of-death value must be used. I.R.C. Section 2032(a)(3). Similarly, where a decline in value was due to the automatic renewal of a lease, this decline could not be reflected in a lower alternative valuation because the decline had resulted from voluntary acts, not market conditions.

The Code permits the alternate valuation election to be made irrevocably on the first estate tax return (whether filed timely or late), provided the return is filed no more than one year after the due date. An untimely election for alternate valuation is invalid. I.R.C. Section 2032(d).

Valuation of Farm and Business Realty: “Qualified real property” used for farming or in a closely held business presents an exception to the “fair-market-value” rule applicable to valuing the gross estate.

Generally, real property is valued on the basis of its “highest and best use”, which typically sets the upper limit of the property's value. A “current use” approach is available for qualified real property used for farming purposes or in certain trades or businesses under the following conditions:

• At the time of death, the decedent must have been a citizen or resident of the United States.
• The executor specifically elects to have the special valuation rules apply and files an agreement executed by all parties with an interest in such property. I.R.C Section 2032A(a).

After the federal estate tax is computed, the following credits may be taken against the tax:

• Unified credit.
• Credit for state death taxes.
• Gift tax credit.
• Credit for estate tax on prior transfers.
• Credit for foreign death taxes.

§ 2010. Unified credit against estate tax.

(a) General rule: - A credit of the applicable credit amount shall be allowed to the estate of every decedent against the tax imposed by section 2001.

(b) Adjustment to credit for certain gifts made before 1977. – The amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a) shall be reduced by an amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate amount allowed as a specific exemption under section 2521 (as in effect before its repeal by the Tax Reform Act of 1976) with respect to gifts made by the decedent after Septebmer 8, 1976.

(c) Applicable credit amount. – For purposes of this section, the applicable credit amount is the amount of the tentative tax which would be determined under the rate schedule set forth in section 2001(c) if the amount with respect to which such tentative tax is to be computed were there applicable exclusion amount determined in accordance with the following table.

In the case of estates of decedents The applicable
dying, and gifts made, during:exclusion amount is:

1998$625,000
1999$650,000
2000 and 2001$675,000
2002 and 2003$700,000
2004$850,000
2005$950,000
2006 or thereafter$1,000,000NOTE: Tax policy is a highly charged political topic.  The threshold amount, if any, is subject to change by Congress.  Although we endeavor to keep this section current, Issuing Offices must satisfy themselves of said thresholds.

A federal estate tax return (Form 706), if required, must be filed and the tax paid by the decedent’s executor, administrator, personal representative, or person in actual or constructive possession of the property within nine months after the decedent’s death. IRC Sections 6018(a), 6075(a), and 6151(a). Whether or not a return is required depends on the size of the gross estate, the year of death, and possibly also on what kinds of gifts were made by the decedent before death. See 5.20.7, above.

However, the above amounts are reduced by the amount of taxable gifts made by the decedent, except those includible in the decedent’s gross estate. Also, the amounts are further reduced by the amount allowed as a specific exemption (the old $30,000 life-time gift tax exemption) on gifts made by. I.R.C. Section 6018(a).

The IRS may, for reasonable cause, extend the time for payment of any part of the estate tax for a reasonable period not in excess of ten years from the date the tax is due under the general rule (nine months after decedent’s death). The “reasonable cause” extension also applies to any part of any installment payment of tax under the Section 6166 election (see below), but the extension in this case may extend up to twelve months past the due date of the last installment. I.R.C. Section 6161(a)(2).

Company Policy: If the gross (not net) estate does not exceed the above amounts for filing as established by inventory or credible affidavit, you may assume no federal estate taxes are owed.

In addition to the federal estate tax, most states impose an inheritance, or estate tax, or both, or some other type of legacy or succession tax. Also, a few states impose a state gift tax.

• State Inheritance Taxes 
  When a state imposes an inheritance tax, it is usually imposed upon the right to receive real property and tangible or intangible personal property which is transferred by will or intestate succession, or by deed, grant or gift made in contemplation of death. Often any such transfer made within a short period (defined statutorily) before the decedent’s death will raise a presumption that it was made in contemplation of death. 
  
  The inheritance tax thus imposed is generally computed by applying a graduated rate which varies according to the total value of the taxable property and the relationship of the transferee to the decedent. 
  
  It is important to note that many states impose both an inheritance and estate tax. In such states, the estate tax is often computed as a sum equal to the amount by which the Federal Credit allowed by the Federal Revenue Code exceeds the total estate, inheritance, legacy, transfer, and succession taxes actually paid to the states or territories of the United States in respect to the estate of the decedent.-          Unless there is a federal estate tax owed, Texas does not impose a state inheritance tax.  (Since deaths occurring after 1-1-2005).  See Tax Code Chapter 211..

• State Estate Taxes 
  Estate taxes are imposed by a majority of the states and are generally computed with reference to the maximum credit allowed under federal law. A typical provision might declare that: 
  
  In the case of a resident of the state, the estate tax is a sum equal to the Federal Credit allowable under the Federal Revenue Act.

• State Gift Taxes 
  Some but not all states impose a gift tax upon donative transfers.

• Lien for State Inheritance, Estate, or Gift Taxes 
  In the case of estate taxes, the liability for taxes falls upon the residuary estate, and in the case of inheritance taxes, upon the transferee, in the absence of statutory or testamentary provisions to the contrary. 
  
  When such taxes remain unpaid by the obligor, many states impose a lien on the property, including real property, which has passed. 
  
  There is a modern trend toward subjecting claims for inheritance, estate, or gift taxes by a state to its statutes of limitations. A check of the state statutes must be made to establish whether the claim for taxes by the state (and therefore the lien) may be considered as barred by the lapse of time.