§ 2001. Imposition and rate of tax

§ 2001. Imposition and rate of tax

(a) Imposition A tax is hereby imposed on the transfer of the taxable estate of every decedent who is a citizen or resident of the United States.

(b) Computation of tax The tax imposed by this section shall be the amount equal to the excess (if any) of—

For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the term “adjusted taxable gifts” means the total amount of the taxable gifts (within the meaning of section 2503) made by the decedent after December 31, 1976, other than gifts which are includible in the gross estate of the decedent.

(1) a tentative tax computed under subsection (c) on the sum of—

(A) the amount of the taxable estate, and

(B) the amount of the adjusted taxable gifts, over

(2) the aggregate amount of tax which would have been payable under chapter 12 with respect to gifts made by the decedent after December 31, 1976, if the modifications described in subsection (g) had been applicable at the time of such gifts.

(c) Rate schedule If the amount withrespect to which thetentative tax to becomputed is:The tentative tax is: Not over $10,00018 percent of such amount. Over $10,000 but not over $20,000$1,800, plus 20 percent of the excess of such amount over $10,000. Over $20,000 but not over $40,000$3,800, plus 22 percent of the excess of such amount over $20,000. Over $40,000 but not over $60,000$8,200 plus 24 percent of the excess of such amount over $40,000. Over $60,000 but not over $80,000$13,000, plus 26 percent of the excess of such amount over $60,000. Over $80,000 but not over $100,000$18,200, plus 28 percent of the excess of such amount over $80,000. Over $100,000 but not over $150,000$23,800, plus 30 percent of the excess of such amount over $100,000. Over $150,000 but not over $250,000$38,800, plus 32 percent of the excess of such amount over $150,000. Over $250,000 but not over $500,000$70,800, plus 34 percent of the excess of such amount over $250,000. Over $500,000 but not over $750,000$155,800, plus 37 percent of the excess of such amount over $500,000. Over $750,000 but not over $1,000,000$248,300, plus 39 percent of the excess of such amount over $750,000. Over $1,000,000$345,800, plus 40 percent of the excess of such amount over $1,000,000.

(d) Adjustment for gift tax paid by spouse For purposes of subsection (b)(2), if—

any tax payable by the spouse under chapter 12 on such gift (as determined under section 2012(d)) shall be treated as a tax payable with respect to a gift made by the decedent.

(1) the decedent was the donor of any gift one-half of which was considered under section 2513 as made by the decedent’s spouse, and

(2) the amount of such gift is includible in the gross estate of the decedent,

(e) Coordination of sections 2513 and 2035 If—

such gift shall not be included in the adjusted taxable gifts of the decedent for purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B), and the aggregate amount determined under subsection (b)(2) shall be reduced by the amount (if any) determined under subsection (d) which was treated as a tax payable by the decedent’s spouse with respect to such gift.

(1) the decedent’s spouse was the donor of any gift one-half of which was considered under section 2513 as made by the decedent, and

(2) the amount of such gift is includible in the gross estate of the decedent’s spouse by reason of section 2035,

(f) Valuation of gifts

(1) In general If the time has expired under section 6501 within which a tax may be assessed under chapter 12 (or under corresponding provisions of prior laws) on—

the value thereof shall, for purposes of computing the tax under this chapter, be the value as finally determined for purposes of chapter 12.

(A) the transfer of property by gift made during a preceding calendar period (as defined in section 2502(b)); or

(B) an increase in taxable gifts required under section 2701(d),

(2) Final determination For purposes of paragraph (1), a value shall be treated as finally determined for purposes of chapter 12 if—

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the value of an item shall be treated as shown on a return if the item is disclosed in the return, or in a statement attached to the return, in a manner adequate to apprise the Secretary of the nature of such item.

(A) the value is shown on a return under such chapter and such value is not contested by the Secretary before the expiration of the time referred to in paragraph (1) with respect to such return;

(B) in a case not described in subparagraph (A), the value is specified by the Secretary and such value is not timely contested by the taxpayer; or

(C) the value is determined by a court or pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Secretary.

(g) Modifications to tax payable

(1) Modifications to gift tax payable to reflect different tax rates For purposes of applying subsection (b)(2) with respect to 1 or more gifts, the rates of tax under subsection (c) in effect at the decedent’s death shall, in lieu of the rates of tax in effect at the time of such gifts, be used both to compute—

(A) the tax imposed by chapter 12 with respect to such gifts, and

(B) the credit allowed against such tax under section 2505, including in computing—

(i) the applicable credit amount under section 2505(a)(1), and

(ii) the sum of the amounts allowed as a credit for all preceding periods under section 2505(a)(2).

(2) Modifications to estate tax payable to reflect different basic exclusion amounts The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section with respect to any difference between—

(A) the basic exclusion amount under section 2010(c)(3) applicable at the time of the decedent’s death, and

(B) the basic exclusion amount under such section applicable with respect to any gifts made by the decedent.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 373; Pub. L. 94–455, title XX, § 2001(a)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1846; Pub. L. 95–600, title VII, § 702(h)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2930; Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 402(a)–(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 300; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 21(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 506; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10401(a)–(b)(2)(A), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–430, 1330–431; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13208(a)–(b)(2), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 469; Pub. L. 105–34, title V, §§ 501(a)(1)(D), 506(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 845, 855; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6007(e)(2)(B), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 810; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, § 4003(c), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–909; Pub. L. 107–16, title V, § 511(a)–(c), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 70; Pub. L. 111–312, title III, § 302(a)(2), (d)(1), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3301, 3302; Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 101(c)(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2317; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11061(b), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2091.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–97 amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of applying subsection (b)(2) with respect to 1 or more gifts, the rates of tax under subsection (c) in effect at the decedent’s death shall, in lieu of the rates of tax in effect at the time of such gifts, be used both to compute—

“(1) the tax imposed by chapter 12 with respect to such gifts, and

“(2) the credit allowed against such tax under section 2505, including in computing—

“(A) the applicable credit amount under section 2505(a)(1), and

“(B) the sum of the amounts allowed as a credit for all preceding periods under section 2505(a)(2).”

2013—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–240 substituted in table separate tentative tax rates for amounts over $500,000 but not over $750,000, over $750,000 but not over $1,000,000, and over $1,000,000, respectively, for single tentative tax rate for amounts over $500,000.

2010—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–312, § 302(d)(1)(A), substituted “if the modifications described in subsection (g)” for “if the provisions of subsection (c) (as in effect at the decedent’s death)”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–312, § 302(a)(2), struck out par. (1) designation and heading preceding table, substituted in table a single tentative tax rate for any amount over $500,000 for separate tentative tax rates for amounts ranging from over $500,000 to over $2,500,000, and struck out par. (2) which related to phasedown of maximum rate of tax.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–312, § 302(d)(1)(B), added subsec. (g).

2001—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 107–16, § 511(a), substituted in table provisions that if the amount on which the tax is computed is over $2,500,000, then the tentative tax is $1,025,800, plus 50% of the excess over $2,500,000 for provisions that if the amount on which the tax is computed is over $2,500,000 but not over $3,000,000, then the tentative tax is $1,025,800, plus 53% of the excess over $2,500,000, and if the amount on which the tax is computed is over $3,000,000, then the tentative tax is $1,290,800, plus 55% of the excess over $3,000,000.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–16, § 511(c), added par. (2).

Pub. L. 107–16, § 511(b), struck out heading and text of par. (2). Text read as follows: “The tentative tax determined under paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to 5 percent of so much of the amount (with respect to which the tentative tax is to be computed) as exceeds $10,000,000 but does not exceed the amount at which the average tax rate under this section is 55 percent.”

1998—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–206, § 6007(e)(2)(B), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If—

“(1) the time has expired within which a tax may be assessed under chapter 12 (or under corresponding provisions of prior laws) on the transfer of property by gift made during a preceding calendar period (as defined in section 2502(b)), and

“(2) the value of such gift is shown on the return for such preceding calendar period or is disclosed in such return, or in a statement attached to the return, in a manner adequate to apprise the Secretary of the nature of such gift,

the value of such gift shall, for purposes of computing the tax under this chapter, be the value of such gift as finally determined for purposes of chapter 12.”

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 105–277 inserted concluding provisions.

1997—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–34, § 501(a)(1)(D), substituted “the amount at which the average tax rate under this section is 55 percent” for “$21,040,000”.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–34, § 506(a), added subsec. (f).

1993—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13208(a), substituted in table provisions that if the amount on which the tax is computed is over $2,500,000 but not over $3,000,000, then the tentative tax is $1,025,800, plus 53% of the excess over $2,500,000 and if the amount on which the tax is computed is over $3,000,000, then the tentative tax is $1,290,800, plus 55% of the excess over $3,000,000 for provisions that if the amount on which the tax is computed is over $2,500,000, then the tentative tax is $1,025,800, plus 50% of the excess over $2,500,000.

Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13208(b)(1), (2), redesignated par. (3) as (2), struck out “($18,340,000 in the case of decedents dying, and gifts made, after 1992)” after “exceed $21,040,000”, and struck out former par. (2) which related to the rates of tax on estates under this section for the years 1982 to 1992.

1987—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10401(b)(2)(A)(i), substituted “under subsection (c)” for “in accordance with the rate schedule set forth in subsection (c)”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10401(b)(2)(A)(ii), substituted “the provisions of subsec. (c)” for “the rate schedule set forth in subsection (c)”.

Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10401(a)(1), substituted “1993” for “1988”.

Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10401(a)(2), (3), substituted in heading “After 1983 and before 1993” for “For 1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987”, and in text “after 1983 and before 1993” for “in 1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987”.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 100–203, § 10401(b)(1), added par. (3).

1984—Subsec. (c)(2)(A), (D). Pub. L. 98–369 substituted “1988” for “1985” in subpar. (A) and substituted “1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987” for “1984” in heading and text of subpar. (D).

1981—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–34, § 402(c), inserted “which would have been” before “payable” and “, if the rate schedule set forth in subsection (c) (as in effect at the decedent’s death) had been applicable at the time of such gifts” after “December 31, 1976,”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–34, § 402(a), (b)(1), designated existing provision as par. (1), inserted heading “In general” and substituted in table provision that if the amount computed is over $2,500,000 then the tentative tax is $1,025,800 plus 50% of the excess over $2,500,000 for provisions that if the amount computed is over $2,500,000 but not over $3,000,000, then the tentative tax is $1,025,800 plus 53% of the excess over $2,500,000, over $3,000,000 but not over $3,500,000 then the tentative tax is $1,290,000 plus 57% of the excess over $3,000,000, over $3,500,000 but not over $4,000,000 then the tentative tax is $1,575,800 plus 61% of the excess over $3,500,000, over $4,000,000 but not over $4,500,000 then the tentative tax is $1,880,800 plus 65% of the excess over $4,000,000, over $4,500,000 but not over $5,000,000 then the tentative tax is $2,205,800 plus 69% of the excess over $4,500,000, over $5,000,000 then the tentative tax is $2,550,800 plus 70% of the excess over $5,000,000, and added par. (2).

1978—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95–600 added subsec. (e).

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 substituted provisions setting a unified rate schedule for estate and gift taxes ranging from 18 percent for the first $10,000 in taxable transfers to 70 percent of taxable transfers in excess of $5,000,000, with provision for adjustments for gift taxes paid by spouses, for provisions setting an estate tax of 3 percent of the first $5,000 of the taxable estate to 77 percent of the taxable estate in excess of $10,000,000.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11061(c), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2091, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 2010 of this title] shall apply to estates of decedents dying and gifts made after December 31, 2017.”

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 101(c)(3), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2318, provided that: “(A) In general.—Except as otherwise provided by in this paragraph, the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section 2010 of this title] shall apply to estates of decedents dying, generation-skipping transfers, and gifts made, after December 31, 2012. “(B) Technical correction.—The amendment made by paragraph (2) [amending section 2010 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 303 of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 [Pub. L. 111–312].”

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment