Last updated June 27, 2026 · Reviewed by Neil Alan Milestone, The Florida Bar No. 309966
No. Florida has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax.Florida’s estate tax was tied to a federal credit that was phased out, so no Florida estate tax has been owed since 2005, and Florida has never had an inheritance tax. A separate federal estate tax can still apply, but only to estates above a high federal exemption in the multiple millions of dollars — so it affects very few families. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Estate tax vs. inheritance tax
Estate tax
A tax on the estate itself before assets are distributed. Florida imposes none; the federal estate tax applies only above the federal exemption.
Inheritance tax
A tax on the person who receives the inheritance. Florida has none. (A handful of other states do, which can matter if a beneficiary lives out of state.)
Income tax
Florida has no state income tax. Federal income-tax rules can still touch inherited retirement accounts and the sale of inherited assets — a question for a tax professional.
So what should Florida families actually plan for?
Because tax is rarely the issue, Florida estate planning is really about control and probate avoidance: making sure the right people inherit, naming who can act for you if you cannot, protecting the homestead, and keeping your family out of a slow, public probate. That is where wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives do their work.
Want to know what your Florida plan should actually cover? A free checkup points you to the right next step.
Start the free role checkGeneral information about Florida law, not legal or tax advice. Federal exemptions and tax rules change — confirm specifics with a licensed Florida attorney or tax professional. EstateDraftFL is software, not a law firm.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Florida have an estate tax?
- No. Florida does not impose a state estate tax. The Florida estate tax was tied to a federal credit that was phased out, so since 2005 no Florida estate tax has been owed.
- Does Florida have an inheritance tax?
- No. Florida has no inheritance tax. Beneficiaries do not pay a Florida tax simply for inheriting money or property from a Florida estate.
- Could federal estate tax still apply?
- Yes, but only to very large estates. The federal estate tax applies only above a high federal exemption (in the multiple millions of dollars per person), so it affects a small fraction of estates. Most Florida families owe no estate tax at all.
- Do I still need an estate plan if Florida has no estate tax?
- Yes. Estate planning in Florida is mostly about control and probate avoidance — who inherits, who acts for you, and keeping your family out of court — not taxes. A will, trust, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives matter regardless of the tax answer.
- What about income tax on inherited assets?
- Florida also has no state income tax. Federally, inherited assets generally receive a 'stepped-up' cost basis, and inherited retirement accounts have their own income-tax rules. Those are fact-specific — confirm with a tax professional.
General information about Florida law, not legal advice.