Hi! Robert194,
You are correct in that there is an exemption from taxable income so that you won't pay federal inheritance tax on an estate valued at less than $12.92 Million, in 2023. You said that you will be inheriting an estate that includes stocks, insurance, and bank accounts and each of these could result in various tax consequences.
- If you inherit stock, you won't be taxed on your inheritance, but you may have taxable gain when you sell the stock or there are dividends.
- Inherited bank accounts are exempt when you receive them, but if the account has been earning interest before you take ownership, that interest is taxable.
- Life insurance benefits are not usually taxable, but this may depend on whether the estate is the beneficiary or if you are, and there could be some taxable investment earnings as well.
Also, Illinois has an inheritance tax independent of any federal inheritance tax that may impact you. You may find you owe some taxes to South Carolina on your earnings, similarly to what you owe for federal taxes.
