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The Daily Insight

Do I have to pay Pennsylvania inheritance tax if my relative lives in another state?

Author

James Craig

Published Apr 06, 2026

To trigger an inheritance tax, the decedent must have lived in a state that collects an inheritance tax. Therefore, if your relative lived outside of the state but bestowed upon you property that was within Pennsylvania, you are subject to the inheritance tax.

Who is responsible for Pennsylvania inheritance tax?

Most immediate family members pay 4.5% inheritance tax on the property they inherit. This category includes: The deceased person’s children and their descendants (whether or not they have been adopted by others), as well as step-descendants. The deceased person’s parents and grandparents.

Is there a way to avoid PA inheritance tax?

Method #1 to minimize or avoid PA inheritance tax: Gifting Assets gifted more than 12 months prior to death are excluded from PA inheritance tax. There is no limit to the amount that can be gifted each year. Gifts can be taxable, but very few people ever have to pay a gift tax.

Do beneficiaries have to pay inheritance tax in PA?

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).

Do you have to pay inheritance tax in Pennsylvania?

The legal team at Herr Potts & Potts are here to explain whether you have to pay the Pennsylvania inheritance tax if your relative lives out of state. What is Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax? Pennsylvania is one of six states that collects an inheritance tax. The other states are Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, and New Jersey.

Are there any states that do not charge inheritance tax?

States With an Inheritance Tax. The U.S. states that collect an inheritance tax as of 2019 are Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Each has its own laws dictating who is exempt from the tax, who will have to pay it, and how much they’ll have to pay. Maryland imposes both an estate tax and an inheritance tax.

How much tax do you pay on an inheritance?

Children under 21 pay no tax on inheritances. A spouse pays no tax on inheritances. Other direct descendants pay 4.5% inheritance tax. This includes adult children and any of their direct descendants (e.g., grandchildren, great-grandchildren, )

Do you have to pay inheritance tax in Maryland?

The U.S. states that collect an inheritance tax as of 2019 are Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Each has its own laws dictating who is exempt from the tax, who will have to pay it, and how much they’ll have to pay. Maryland imposes both an estate tax and an inheritance tax.