District of Columbia: inheritance tax
Whether heirs owe state inheritance tax, and how much a child, a sibling or another heir pays.
| State inheritance tax? | No |
|---|---|
| Child pays | No inheritance tax |
| Sibling pays | No inheritance tax |
| Other heirs pay | No inheritance tax |
Spouses are exempt in every inheritance tax state, and gifts to charities are generally exempt. The tax follows where the person who died lived or owned real estate, not where the heir lives.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in District of Columbia.
How District of Columbia compares
46 of 51 states and DC share this answer (No): Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- Yes (5)
- No (46)
Also for District of Columbia: Medicaid long-term care in District of Columbia · Small estate limits in District of Columbia · Will and trust rules in District of Columbia · Estate and inheritance tax in District of Columbia · Common law marriage in District of Columbia · Property tax rates in District of Columbia · Medicaid expansion in District of Columbia · Social Security tax in District of Columbia · All District of Columbia rules on one page
How we checked this
States and rate ranges come from the Tax Foundation's 2026 estate and inheritance tax table (as of October 1, 2026). Rates by relationship follow each state's beneficiary classes. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.