Currently, inheritance of a certain amount or value is subject to an inheritance tax. However, these regulations are changing. Look here for more information about when inheritance tax applies and any changes in the law.
Can a Deed Be Transferred If There Isn’t a Will?
When someone passes away without a will, it’s difficult to determine who the deed will be transferred to. Q: My aunt left me her house when she passed away but she didn't have a will and we didn't have any papers signed to state that she wanted me to have it. She told my cousin [...]
What Can I Do About Inheriting Property That Has A Mortgage?
What can I do about inheriting property that has a mortgage? This reader wants to know if they can execute a quitclaim deed to absolve themselves of mortgage payment responsibilities. Q: I have inherited a 25 percent interest in a home along with three other siblings. I do not want my 25 percent and want [...]
How to Determine Taxes After Selling an Inherited Home
How to determine taxes after selling an inherited home. When selling an inherited home, especially if it's out of state, consider how it'll impact taxes. Q: We live in North Carolina but I also own a home in New York City with my four siblings. We inherited the home from our parents and now each [...]
How to Determine Legal Ownership of Quitclaimed Land
When it comes to quitclaimed land, as in this reader's case, you won't have legal ownership of the title if your relative didn't have legal ownership to begin with. Q: My husband's mother inherited land from a family member and isn't allowed to sell it. We moved onto an acre of it with a mobile [...]
What You Need to Know About Inheritance Taxes
Getting an inheritance can be such a bittersweet experience. You might receive lots of money or special mementos from the deceased, but the person with whom you’d like to share the experience is gone. During this trying time, it’s likely that the last thing on your mind is taxes. But taxes are an important consideration [...]
Three Important Tax Facts Wealthy People Need to Know
Did you go into shock when you saw how the 2014 tax laws affect you? I couldn’t believe how much of a marriage penalty Congress created. We’re back to the bad old days, when my best advice for folks in the top tax brackets was to get a divorce. Divorce can be good for your [...]
How to Help Ensure You Leave Your Family an Inheritance
You may have considered leaving an inheritance to someone close to you—a child, a sibling, or perhaps your best friend. While it’s nice to know that you might make someone’s life a little easier by giving him or her money, real estate, or personal property, it’s also daunting to figure out how to go about [...]
Selling Home to Family Member? Get a Home Value Estimate First
Thinking about selling your home to a family member? Get a home value estimate first to double check your home's real market value. Q: Our parents left their home to me and my two sisters. The home is located in Oklahoma and was appraised at $49,000 three years ago. The home has a mortgage with [...]
Tax Aspects of Inheritances
People keep asking TaxMama® how much tax they’ll have to pay on something they inherited. The good news is, generally the answer is “none.” The heirs don’t pay. The estate of the decedent pays any taxes due when the estate is large enough to be subject to estate taxes. This leads to more good news: In [...]
Gifting a House to a Relative
Gifting a house to a relative will affect your income tax and real estate property tax. Know the consequences of gifting vs. inheriting. Q: I thought you might have said on your radio show that you didn't advise giving a home away. My uncle is thinking of giving me an old house, but I didn't [...]