State inheritance tax
Pennsylvania inheritance tax in 2026
Checked against state sources 2026-10-21 · Gregory Garone, CEPA®
Short answer: Pennsylvania has no estate tax but taxes nearly every inheritance. Spouses pay 0%, children and other lineal heirs 4.5%, siblings 12% and everyone else 15%. There is no dollar exemption.
Pennsylvania at a glance
| Tax type | Inheritance tax |
|---|---|
| Estate tax exemption, 2026 deaths | No estate tax |
| Top rate | 15% (inheritance) |
| Portability to a surviving spouse | Not applicable |
How the Pennsylvania inheritance tax works
- Transfers to a surviving spouse, and to a parent from a child aged 21 or younger, are taxed at 0%.
- Lineal heirs, including children, grandchildren and parents, pay 4.5%.
- Siblings and half-siblings pay 12%. Stepsiblings pay the 15% rate for other heirs.
- Tax paid within three months of death earns a 5% discount. Tax becomes delinquent nine months after death.
| Beneficiary | Rate |
|---|---|
| Surviving spouse; parent inheriting from a child 21 or younger | 0% |
| Children, grandchildren and other lineal heirs | 4.5% |
| Siblings and half-siblings | 12% |
| Everyone else | 15% |
Planning points
- Life insurance proceeds are exempt from Pennsylvania inheritance tax.
- Gifts made more than one year before death are generally not taxed, and gifts within the last year are taxed only above $3,000 per recipient, which makes lifetime gifting useful in Pennsylvania.
Common questions
Does Pennsylvania have an inheritance tax in 2026?
Pennsylvania has no estate tax but taxes nearly every inheritance. Spouses pay 0%, children and other lineal heirs 4.5%, siblings 12% and everyone else 15%. There is no dollar exemption.
Do children pay Pennsylvania inheritance tax?
Yes, at 4.5%. Pennsylvania has no exemption amount, so the rate applies from the first dollar after debts and expenses.
Is there a discount for paying early?
Yes. Paying within three months of the date of death earns a 5% discount on the tax paid.
Sources and limitations
Other states
Planning around Pennsylvania tax?
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