The Estate Tax Closing Letter

An estate lawyer with paperwork.
Photo: Paul Bradbury / Getty Images

An estate tax closing letter is a form letter that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send to you after your IRS Form 706 has been reviewed and accepted. Form 706 is a rather lengthy return that the executor of an estate will file after the death of an individual. It determines the amount of estate tax due pursuant to IRS Code Chapter 11. Form 706 is also used to determine any generation-skipping taxes under Chapter 13 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The closing letter allows an estate to settle and close probate. The estate can't do so until any issues of estate taxes have been resolved if the estate is large enough to owe them. The requirement to file Form 706 and receive a closing letter depends on the gross estate value. The IRS has changed this value over the years. For example, in 2016 estates above US$5.45 million needed to complete and file the form. The value increased to $5.49 million in 2017, $11.18 million in 2018, $11.4 million in 2019, $11.58 million in 2020, and $11.7 million in 2021.

Estate Taxes at the State Level 

In states that collect a state estate tax, the taxing authority will issue an estate tax closing letter as well. This letter indicates that the state estate tax return has been reviewed and accepted by the taxing authority.

The document may also be required to clear any estate tax liens placed against a property. Once taxes are paid, and the lien is satisfied, the property can be transferred to beneficiaries. Even if estate taxes are not due at the state level, this type of lien typically goes into place automatically until it's determined that this is the case. The closing letter acknowledges that no taxes are due, and lifts the lien.

Among states that impose estate taxes, the thresholds are typically much lower than the federal exemption. Twelve states and the District of Columbia had an estate tax as of 2021, according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation. Among these, several are working to increase their exemptions or otherwise change this status. 

  • The District of Columbia reduced the exemption amount to $4 million per individual starting in 2021.
  • New York estate tax exemption amount is $5,930.000 for 2021.
  • Minnesota increased its exemption to $2 million as of 2020. 
  • Tennessee's estate tax phased out entirely in 2016. 
  • New Jersey's estate tax phased out entirely in 2018.

In some states, such as Florida, an estate that's taxable at the federal level must file the IRS estate tax closing letter with the probate court when it is received. The estate can't be officially closed until that is done, even though Florida does not have an estate tax of its own. 

When an Estate Can Expect a Tax Closing Letter

According to the IRS website, heirs can expect a closing letter within four to six months from the date Form 706 is filed. But that is if the return is without errors or special circumstances. Count on either receiving the closing letter or a letter informing the executor that the estate's Form 706 is being audited within six to nine months from the date Form 706 is filed.

Wait at least five months before calling the IRS estate and gift tax unit to check on the status of IRS Form 706 after it has been filed. 

NOTE: State and local laws change frequently, and the above information may not reflect recent changes. Please consult with an attorney or accountant for the most up-to-date advice. The information contained in this article is not legal or tax advice, and it is not a substitute for legal or tax advice.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Internal Revenue Service. "Estate Tax."

  2. DC.gov. "DC Inheritance and Estate Tax Forms."

  3. New York State. "Estate Tax."

  4. New Jersey Division of Taxation. "What's New in 2018."

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