inheritance tax

American  

noun

1. a tax levied on the right of an heir to receive a decedent's property, the rate being a percentage of the value of the property.

---

inheritance tax British  

noun

1. (in Britain) a tax introduced in 1986 to replace capital transfer tax, consisting of a percentage levied on that part of an inheritance exceeding a specified allowance, and scaled charges on gifts made within seven years of death

2. (in the US) a state tax imposed on an inheritance according to its size and the relationship of the beneficiary to the deceased

---

Etymology

Origin of inheritance tax

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inheritance tax

If this is a U.S. transaction, however, there is no federal inheritance tax.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026

The bank said the funds will be exempt from inheritance tax and income tax.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

His tenure has been marked by numerous U-turns on issues big and small, from whether to issue national ID cards to an inheritance tax on farmers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Not only does Florida not have a state income tax, it doesn’t have an estate tax or an inheritance tax.

From Barron's ● Apr. 20, 2026

“God Almighty’s put a terrible hog-tight inheritance tax on experience, girl!”

From In the Heart of a Fool by White, William Allen

Related Words

• death tax
• estate tax