death tax

noun

: a tax arising on the transmission of property after the owner's death
especially : estate tax

Examples of death 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.
The loss limit for pass-through businesses is also permanent and the death tax exemption ($15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples) is now permanent, and the pre-2022 limit on interest expense deductions is restored. Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 The claim is that the death tax imposes an unfair and costly tax on the transfer of property, land, and other assets from a decedent to his or her heirs and that can decimate small businesses and family farms. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Closing just one aspect of the death tax loophole would raise another $100 billion over 10 years, largely from millionaires and billionaires. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of death tax was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Death tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20tax. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

death tax

noun
: a tax assessed on the transfer of property (as an estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession) after the transferor's death compare estate tax, generation-skipping transfer tax, gift tax

More from Merriam-Webster on death tax

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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