Independent tax-policy research; source of the state rate tables used on this site.
August 24, 2026 at 1:55 AM PDT
A Tax Foundation survey found 24 of 35 European countries levy an estate, inheritance or gift tax, some above 80 percent, a stark contrast for American families with heirs or assets abroad.
The one-time 5% levy on net worth above $1 billion reaches back to a January 2026 residency date, taxes former residents and trusts, and could struggle in court, the analysis argues.
The Tax Foundation's 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index shows which states keep the most of a high earner's income, and which state governments took the biggest bites in 2025.