You did not ask about inheritance taxes (different from
estate or gift taxes). The last time I checked
there were 6 states with inheritance taxes (Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Nebraska). Each state imposes their own rules,
deductibles and rates. The fact that it
was a joint account may be immaterial. For example, in Pennsylvania all joint
accounts with right of suvivorship are subject to inheritance tax.
Normally 50% of the amount of the account is taxed unless the account
was opened within a year of the death. Then the entire amount is subject to
inheritance tax. Unless you are positive that the state where she died does not have an inheritance tax, I would suggest
you go to that state’s DOR website and see if they have one. I believe my list is current, but laws change all the time.
