inheritance tax

noun

Synonyms of inheritance taxnext
1
: a tax on a decedent's net estate that is levied after the estate is transmitted to the inheritors
2
: death tax
especially : estate tax

Examples of inheritance 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.
In it, the Treasury said that Charles had agreed to pay income tax, capital gains taxes for sales of his private holdings and investments, and inheritance tax. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 24 June 2026 The Treasury said in the report that Charles had agreed to pay income tax, capital gains taxes for sales of his private holdings and investments, and inheritance tax. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 25 June 2026 Maryland’s system includes a progressive state income tax, mandatory county income taxes, a statewide sales tax, property taxes set at the county level, and both an estate tax and an inheritance tax. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 Although Britain's sovereign is exempt from paying income tax under law, Charles voluntarily pays income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax under an agreement with the government. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inheritance tax

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inheritance tax was in 1841

Rhymes for inheritance tax

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Browse Nearby Words

inheritance
inheritance tax
inheritor
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Cite this Entry

“Inheritance tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inheritance%20tax. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

inheritance tax

noun
: an excise tax that is levied upon the privilege of receiving property as heir or next of kin under the law of intestacy and that is measured by the value of the property received compare estate tax

More from Merriam-Webster on inheritance tax

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inheritance tax

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inheritance tax

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