Federal IRS Inheritance Income Tax Rules 2011, 2012

The first thing that will need to be done in the event of a taxpayer's death is to determine who will receive inheritance or if the deceased will need to have a final tax return filed for them.

The federal inheritance tax does not have a special inheritance tax rate. It’s not that cut and dry to compute inheritance tax rates because there are so many variables.

Inheritance Tax Requirements for the Beneficiary

If you have been named as the beneficiary on an inheritance, then you will be required to do the following:

• List all assets and cash received

• Place a fair market value on all assets

A fair market value will need to be given based on the current market value at the date of death. The beneficiary who will inherit assets whether it be a house, bonds, or stocks, will only be responsible for the tax on the appreciation after the time of death. It is very important to find fair market values on assets as soon as possible.

Final Federal Income Tax Form Filed by Executor of Inheritance

If you are not the beneficiary and only the executor of the estate, then you will be required to file the taxpayer’s final tax return. The tax return will need to be filed on the same form as if the individual were still alive. Once you enter the taxpayer’s name, then you will write “deceased” next to the name. The federal income tax return will need to be filed before April 15th of the following year. If the taxpayer was married, then the widow or widower will be able to file joint return for the year of the death.

Deductions for Federal Inheritance Tax Liability

You are able to deduct all of the deductible expenses that were paid before death. All medical bills can be deducted that were incurred during illness, up to one year after the taxpayer’s death. You are still able to claim the standard deduction or itemize regardless of the time during the year that the taxpayer died.

Learn More About Inheritance Tax Laws

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