States with estate or inheritance tax.
12 states + DC have estate tax. 6 states have inheritance tax. Maryland has both.
State-level transfer taxes operate independently from the federal estate tax — usually with thresholds far below the federal exemption. High-net-worth residents of these states face state-level estate exposure even when their estates are federally exempt.
Estate tax vs. inheritance tax — they're different
Estate tax is paid by the estate before distributions, based on total estate value. Inheritance tax is paid by the beneficiaries based on amounts they receive and their relationship to the decedent. Most states have one or the other; Maryland has both.
States with estate tax (12 + DC)
State estate-tax thresholds vary but are generally lower than the federal exemption. An estate above the state threshold but below the federal threshold still owes state estate tax. We don't draft estate plans (refer to a state-licensed estate attorney) but we coordinate with estate counsel on tax-return-side mechanics.
| State | Notes | Per-state guide |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (CT) | Estate tax + gift tax (the only state with both) | CT → |
| District of Columbia (DC) | State-level estate tax with sub-federal threshold | DC → |
| Hawaii (HI) | Threshold below federal | HI → |
| Illinois (IL) | Threshold significantly below federal | IL → |
| Maine (ME) | Threshold below federal | ME → |
| Maryland (MD) | Estate tax PLUS inheritance tax (only state with both) | MD → |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Threshold below federal; cliff provision can wipe out credit | MA → |
| Minnesota (MN) | Threshold below federal | MN → |
| New York (NY) | Threshold below federal; cliff provision | NY → |
| Oregon (OR) | Threshold significantly below federal | OR → |
| Rhode Island (RI) | Threshold below federal | RI → |
| Vermont (VT) | Threshold below federal | VT → |
| Washington (WA) | Threshold below federal (despite no state income tax) | WA → |
States with inheritance tax (6)
State inheritance taxes apply to amounts received by beneficiaries — typically with full exemption for spouses and lineal descendants, but with tax applying to non-lineal heirs (siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, non-charitable beneficiaries) regardless of estate size.
| State | Notes | Per-state guide |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (IA) | Non-lineal heirs taxed; lineal exempt | IA → |
| Kentucky (KY) | Multi-class beneficiary structure | KY → |
| Maryland (MD) | Inheritance tax AND state estate tax | MD → |
| Nebraska (NE) | County-administered (the only state with county-level inheritance tax) | NE → |
| New Jersey (NJ) | Class A exempt; Classes C/D taxed regardless of estate size | NJ → |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | Class-based; spouses + lineal descendants typically exempt | PA → |
The Maryland trap
Maryland is the ONLY state with both an estate tax AND an inheritance tax. The two taxes operate independently — an MD estate can owe both. High-net-worth MD residents need to coordinate both taxes in estate planning, and beneficiaries (especially non-lineal ones) face inheritance tax even on small bequests.
Tax-motivated relocations for estate planning
Estate-tax exposure is one of the larger drivers of high-net-worth migration to no-estate-tax states. Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Nevada are common destinations specifically for estate-planning reasons — combined with the no-income-tax benefit, the savings can be substantial across both lifetime income and post-mortem transfer.
- Florida — no estate tax, no inheritance tax, no income tax, strong homestead protections. Top destination for high-net-worth NY/NJ/MA/CT residents.
- Texas — no estate tax, no inheritance tax, no income tax. Strong homestead protections. Common destination for CA-based founders.
- South Dakota — no estate tax, no inheritance tax, no income tax. Trust-friendly jurisdiction for dynasty trust structures.
- Wyoming — similar trust-friendly profile to SD. Smaller financial-services infrastructure but legally equivalent.
- Nevada — no estate tax, no inheritance tax, no income tax. Strong creditor-protection rules for asset-protection trusts.
Related comparisons
- States with no individual income tax →
- States with reciprocity agreements →
- States that tax Social Security →
High-net-worth estate planning?
We don't draft estate plans (refer to your state estate attorney), but we coordinate with estate counsel on the tax-return-side mechanics and ongoing income tax planning. Book a free 15-minute Discovery Exchange to discuss your situation.
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