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

Individual receiving medical treatment who is not required to be hospitalized overnight. ...

One who purchases insurance, usually property and liability and not life or annuities, by utilizing his or her own employee purchaser or licensed broker/agent at a minimum annual premium of ...

In property insurance, when the insurance policy contains this clause, coinsurance defines the amount of each loss that the company pays according to the following relationship:Amount of ...

Employee benefit plan that includes benefits to be received from Social Security when determining the allowable benefit amount to be received by that employee or beneficiary. ...

Same as term Chartered Life Underwriter: professional designation conferred by the American College. In addition to professional business experience in insurance planning and related ...

Location that is different from an insured's home or place of business. Under the standard homeowners insurance policy, the property of the insured is covered off premises; for example, if ...

Same as term Contract Holder: in insurance, individual with rightful possession of an insurance policy, usually the policyowner. ...

One who submits a claim for an incurred loss. ...

A historical mortality table used to calculate premium rates for deferred annuities and optional modes of settlement for life insurance policies. This table was subsequently replaced by the ...

Popular Insurance Questions