Understanding State Estate Taxes: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding State Estate Taxes: A Comprehensive Guide

Darol Tuttle

Darol Tuttle

Darol is a Washington state admitted attorney, practicing in estate planning and elder law since 1996. He is founder of the BoomX Academy and Founder of LegalEdge Innovators.

Explore the landscape of state-specific estate taxes in the United States. This guide provides a detailed overview of the twelve states that impose their own estate taxes, highlighting their exemption limits and the concept of portability. Essential reading for those navigating the complexities of estate planning.

Table of Contents

In the United States, estate taxes are not just a federal matter; several states impose their own estate taxes independent of federal regulations. Currently, twelve states have their own estate tax. Understanding these state-specific taxes is crucial for effective estate planning. This guide provides a concise overview of the states with their own estate tax and their respective exemptions. Additionally, it highlights the concept of portability, a feature present in some state estate taxes.

Key Points:

  • Twelve U.S. states have their own estate taxes with varying exemption amounts, which are crucial for estate planning.
  • Portability in estate tax, allowing a surviving spouse to utilize the unused portion of their deceased spouse's exemption, is available only in Hawaii and Maryland.
  • Understanding both federal and state estate taxes, and features like portability, is essential for effective estate and legacy planning.

What is Portability?

Portability in estate tax allows a surviving spouse to use any unused portion of their deceased spouse's estate tax exemption. Essentially, if one spouse does not use the full exemption amount, the surviving spouse can apply the remaining amount to their own estate, potentially reducing or eliminating estate tax liability.

State Estate Tax Exemptions and Portability

The following table outlines the twelve states with their estate taxes, their exemptions, and notes on portability:

State2024 Estate Tax ExemptionPortability
Connecticut$12,920,000No
District of Columbia$4,528,800No
Hawaii$5,490,000Yes
Illinois$4,000,000No
MaineIndexed to FederalNo
MarylandIndexed to FederalYes
Massachusetts$1,000,000No
MinnesotaIndexed to FederalNo
New YorkIndexed to FederalNo
Oregon$1,000,000No
Rhode Island$1,595,156No
Vermont$2,750,000No
Washington$2,193,000No

Note: The exemption amounts are subject to change and should be verified for the current year.

Conclusion

Understanding the specifics of state estate taxes, including the concept of portability, is vital for effective estate planning. It's important to consult with an estate planning professional familiar with the laws of your state to optimize your estate planning strategy.

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Understanding State Estate Taxes: A Comprehensive Guide

Explore the landscape of state-specific estate taxes in the United States. This guide provides a detailed overview of the twelve states that impose their own estate taxes, highlighting their exemption limits and the concept of portability. Essential reading for those navigating the complexities of estate planning.

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