Definition of "Federal estate tax"

Mike Williams real estate agent

Written by

Mike Williamselite badge icon

Keller Williams

Federal tax imposed on the estate of a decedent according to the value of that estate. The first step in the computation of the federal estate tax owed is to determine the value of the decedent's gross estate. This determination can be made by adding the following values of assets owned by the decedent at the time of death:

  1. property owned outright.
  2. gratuitous lifetime transfers, but with the stipulation that the decedent retained the income or control over the income.
  3. gratuitous lifetime transfers subject to the recipient's surviving the decedent.
  4. gratuitous lifetime transfers subject to the decedent's retaining the right to revoke, amend, or alter the gift.
  5. annuities purchased by the decedent that are payable for the life time of the named survivor as well as the annuitant.
  6. property jointly held in such a manner that another party receives the decedent's interest in that property at the decedent's death because of that party's survivor ship.
  7. life insurance in which the decedent retained incidents of ownership.
  8. life insurance that was payable to the decedent's estate.
The second step in the computation of the federal estate tax owed is to subtract allowable deductions (including bequests to charities, bequests to the surviving spouse, funeral expenses, and other administration expenses) from the gross estate. This results in the taxable estate. Adjustable taxable gifts are then added to the taxable estate, resulting in the computational tax base. From the table below, the appropriate tax rate is then applied to the computational tax base, resulting in the tentative (certain credits may still be subtracted) federal estate tax.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Several insurance companies under common ownership and, often, common management. ...

Describing a risk whose probability of loss is less than the norm or the standard expectation of loss for that underwriting classification. ...

Exceptions to coverage. There is no obligation for an insurance company to pay a claim if: the loss is not covered by a policy, or a particular person is not included in the definition of ...

Health insurance that provides coverage for physicians' fees for all services, with the exception of surgeons' fees. ...

Coverage for equipment normally carried from location to location by a physician or surgeon; written on an all risks basis to include supplies and scientific books used in medical practice. ...

Attachment to an insurance policy to complete its coverage. For example, the Standard Fire Policy must have certain forms attached for it to provide the coverage desired. ...

Section of some inland marine insurance {transportation insurance) and many other property insurance policies excluding coverage for damage to shipped goods by vermin such as rats. ...

Policy provision designed to restore an insured to his or her original financial position after a loss. The insured should neither profit nor be put at a monetary disadvantage by incurring ...

Use of a home, and the land and buildings surrounding that home, free from the claim of creditors. This right gives rise to an insurable interest. ...

Popular Insurance Questions