Center for Federal Tax Policy

Estate and Gift Taxes

The federal government taxes transfers of wealth in three ways: through the estate tax, the gift tax and the generation-skipping transfer tax. Together these taxes make up the federal transfer tax system. In addition, many U.S. states impose estate taxes.

Estate taxes and generation-skipping transfer taxes are paid on the contents of estates or proceeds of trusts, while transfers of wealth between living persons are subject to gift taxes. The federal government enacted the first estate tax in 1916. Studies routinely find that estate taxes discourage entrepreneurship and lead to large tax compliance costs.

Why Progressives Should Want to End the Estate Tax, Too

The Estate Tax: Even Worse Than Republicans Say

Would Romney Pay Zero Taxes under the Ryan Plan?

How the States Would Be Affected by Extension of the Bush Tax Cuts and Other Provisions

Fate of Bush Tax Cuts Uncertain As Expiration Approaches

Taxing Net Worth: Theoretically Flawed and Unrealistic

Wall Street Journal Discusses Consequences of a “Temporary Tax Code”

Death Tax Compromise Protects Thousands of Estates from the Tax

Harkin, Whitehouse and Sanders Are Pushing an Estate Tax Proposal That Might Be Called the “Die Abroad Act”

New Podcast: Dick Patten of the American Family Business Institute on Estate Tax Reform

Death and Taxes

The Federal Estate Tax: Will It Rise From the Grave in 2011 or Sooner?

List of Tax Provisions Scheduled to Expire on December 31, 2010

What is the Current Status of the Federal Estate Tax?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bush Tax Cuts

The Tax Suspense Is Killing Us

New Podcast: “TaxGirl” on Expiring Tax Cuts, President’s Budget

New Podcast: Rep. Dave Camp on Tax Reform

Tax Professor Calls Expiration of Estate Tax “Congressional Malpractice”; Doubts Quick Extension Is Forthcoming