inheritance tax

noun

1

: a tax on a decedent's net estate that is levied after the estate is transmitted to the inheritors

2

: death tax

especially : estate tax

Examples of inheritance tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The arrangement would appeal to older generations with large savings in particular, especially after the Labour government imposed inheritance tax on pension assets and applied a surcharge to high value homes. — Philip Aldrick, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Charles reveals tax bill By law, the British king is not obliged to pay income, capital gains or inheritance tax, but Charles, like his mother did after 1993, has voluntarily done so without disclosing the amounts. — CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Although Britain's sovereign is exempt from paying income tax under law, Charles voluntarily pays income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax under an agreement with the government. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

The Treasury said in the report that Charles had agreed to pay income tax, capital gains taxes for sales of his private holdings and investments, and inheritance tax. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inheritance tax

• almanacs
• carrybacks
• haversacks
• lumberjacks
• maniacs
• microcracks
• minimax
• paperbacks
• parallax
• quarterbacks
• sticklebacks
• telefax

Legal Definition

inheritance tax

noun

: an excise tax that is levied upon the privilege of receiving property as heir or next of kin under the law of intestacy and that is measured by the value of the property received compare estate tax