There are exceptions and assets not subject to Pennsylvania inheritance tax. Life Insurance. Property Owned Jointly between Spouses. Real Estate Owned as Tenants by the Entireties. Inheritance from Predeceased Spouse. Assets Passing from Deceased Child to Parent. Assets Passing from Parent to Child 21 or Younger.
While state laws differ for inheritance taxes, an inheritance must exceed a certain threshold to be considered taxable. For federal estate taxes as of 2024, if the total estate is under $13.61 million for an individual or $27.22 million for a married couple, there's no need to worry about estate taxes.
Effective July 1, 2021, the rate for residents is 3.8398 percent, and the rate for non-residents is 3.4481 percent. For non-residents, the Wage Tax applies to compensation for work or services performed in the City and for work performed outside of the City for personal reasons.
There is no alternate valuation for purposes of Pennsylvania inheritance tax; thus, the value of the property as of the date of death will be the value for tax purposes. Payments for inheritance tax are due within nine months of the decedent's date of death.
The tax rate for Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax is 4.5% for transfers to direct descendants (lineal heirs), 12% for transfers to siblings, and 15% for transfers to other heirs (except charitable organizations, exempt institutions, and government entities that are exempt from tax).
Most real estate transfers between family members are exempt from this tax, such as transfers between: Spouses. Direct ascendants and descendants (grandparents to grandchildren, parents to children, etc.) Siblings (including legally adopted and half siblings)
OPTION 1: Email or Fax Step 1: Send an email to RA-RV-CEC-DPP@pa(opens in a new tab) / 717-783-4294. Include the following information: Your full name / decedents full name. SSN or CC file number.
An inheritance tax return must be filed for every decedent (or person who died) with property that may be subject to PA inheritance tax. The tax is due within nine months of the decedent's death. After nine months, the tax due accrues interest and penalties.