estate tax

noun

Synonyms of estate taxnext
: a tax in the form of a percentage of the taxable estate that is imposed on a property owner's right to transfer the property to others after their death compare inheritance tax sense 1

Examples of estate tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
New Hampshire does not tax income or capital gains, and there’s no estate tax, inheritance tax, or state sales tax, a major benefit for retirees. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 To be sure, charitable bequests are also fully deductible against the estate tax, which means the destination (charity) is what erases Buffett’s tax liability. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026 In the last year and a half, the White House has moved to boost domestic production of certain pesticides, and reduced regulations to expand access to crop insurance, in addition to raising the estate tax exemption. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 30 July 2026 Most taxpayers never owe federal gift tax because of the $15 million lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for estate tax

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of estate tax was in 1894

Rhymes for estate tax

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Browse Nearby Words

estates general
estate tax
estating
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Cite this Entry

“Estate tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estate%20tax. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

estate tax

noun
: an excise in the form of a percentage of the taxable estate that is imposed on a property owner's right to transfer the property to others after his or her death

called also succession tax

see also unified transfer tax compare gift tax, inheritance tax

More from Merriam-Webster on estate tax

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for estate tax

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about estate tax

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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