How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes in Ohio?
Ohio levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax; estate tax repealed for deaths on/after Jan 1, 2013 (Ohio Rev. Code § 5731.02 levies only on persons "dying on or after July 1, 1968, and before January 1, 2013")Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. Ohio imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax; estate tax repealed for deaths on/after Jan 1, 2013 (Ohio Rev. Code § 5731.02 levies only on persons "dying on or after July 1, 1968, and before January 1, 2013")Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. Only the federal estate tax applies, on an estate above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, an exemption the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21 §70106) set permanently from 2026 and indexes for inflation.
Not on the inheritance itself: Ohio taxes neither the estate nor the beneficiaryNo state estate or inheritance tax; estate tax repealed for deaths on/after Jan 1, 2013 (Ohio Rev. Code § 5731.02 levies only on persons "dying on or after July 1, 1968, and before January 1, 2013")Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the IRS does not treat an inheritance as income. What an heir can owe is income tax on withdrawals from an inherited retirement account, and capital gains on a later sale of inherited property, where the basis is reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source and the gain faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesR.C. § 5747.02 (rate schedule)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
The federal estate tax exemption is $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source per person, with a top rate of 40%26 USC 2001(c)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. A married couple can shield26 USC 2010(c)(5)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source $30,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source by electing portability of the first spouse's unused exemption on a timely estate tax return. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21 §70106) set the exemption permanently from 2026, indexed for inflation.
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Inheritance
Inheriting assets brings responsibility. How to manage, protect, and plan for inherited wealth — including tax implications and trust options.
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Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
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Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
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Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
Learn moreForms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Ohio
Free Ohio forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Ohio, the petition asks the Probate Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Authority; every appointment goes through the courtORC §§ 2107.18, 2113.05 (probate court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Ohio, creditors have 6 monthsORC § 2117.06 (eff. 4-3-2023, SB 202, 134th GA)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Ohio, a person named as executor may refuse the appointmentOhio Rev. Code 2113.12Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Ohio, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areR.C. 5301.252; R.C. 2106.18 and 4505.10 (BMV 3773); R.C. 2123.01Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is admissible as evidence of the facts stated.
Estate Inventory
In Ohio, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysR.C. §§ 2115.02, 2115.06, 2113.69Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Ohio, the personal representative is discharged by court orderR.C. §§ 2109.32(A), 2109.32(C)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Ohio
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Ohio: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Ohio imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate or inheritance tax; estate tax repealed for deaths on/after Jan 1, 2013 (Ohio Rev. Code § 5731.02 levies only on persons "dying on or after July 1, 1968, and before January 1, 2013")Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Ohio take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesR.C. § 5747.02 (rate schedule)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Ohio costs an estimated $26,234ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 1.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $35,000codes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Ohio costs an estimated $26,234ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Ohio, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateORC § 2105.06Verified Sep 11, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationORC § 2105.06Verified Sep 11, 2026View source.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Ohio, certified death certificates come from the Ohio Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsOhio Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $22Ohio Department of Health - Bureau of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Do I Need Probate?
In Ohio, estates valued at $35,000codes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less qualify for the Release from Administrationcodes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, a court procedure short of full probate.
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Ohio Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Ohio probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.