How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes in Oregon?
Oregon levies an estate taxORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $1,000,000ORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source (top rate 16%ORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source) and no inheritance tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Yes. Oregon imposes a state estate taxORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source on an estate above $1,000,000ORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, separate from and in addition to the federal estate tax. Oregon has no inheritance tax on the beneficiary.
The Oregon estate tax exemption is $1,000,000ORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; an estate below it owes no state estate tax. The exemption is a fixed amount set by statuteORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. A taxable estate faces graduated rates up to 16%ORS 118.010Verified 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.
Unlike the federal tax, Oregon does not allow portability of the unused state exemption between spousesORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source: each spouse has an exemption of $1,000,000ORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and what the first spouse does not use is lost.
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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 Oregon
Free Oregon 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.
Notice to Creditors
In Oregon, the notice to creditors is published for 1ORS §§ 113.155, 115.003, 115.005, 115.125Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsORS 115.005Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Oregon, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveORS 113.085(1)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Estate Inventory
In Oregon, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysORS 113.165, ORS 113.175Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Oregon, the personal representative is discharged by court orderORS 116.113, ORS 116.213, ORS 116.208(4)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.
Last Will and Testament
In Oregon, a will is signed before 2ORS 112.235Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitORS 112.235Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Oregon allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2ORS 127.527 (HCR appointment), ORS 127.529 (comprehensive advance directive; form text set by 2021 c.328 §2 / SB 199 2021)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Oregon
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Oregon: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
In Oregon, beneficiaries owe no inheritance tax and the estate pays any estate taxORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $1,000,000ORS 118.010Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Oregon 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 rates.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Oregon costs an estimated $24,214ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $75,000ORS 114.510Verified 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 Oregon costs an estimated $24,214ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2%ORS 116.183 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.2%ORS 116.183 (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 Oregon, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateORS § 112.025Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationORS § 112.065Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Oregon, certified death certificates come from the Oregon Health Authority - Center for Health StatisticsOregon Health Authority - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $25Oregon Health Authority - Center for Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Do I Need Probate?
In Oregon, estates with personal property of $75,000ORS 114.510Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Simple Estate AffidavitORS 114.510Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysORS 114.510Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
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Oregon Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Oregon probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.