How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes in Utah?
Utah levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax. Utah's pick-up inheritance tax (Utah Code Title 59, Chapter 11, Inheritance Tax Act) produced $0 for deaths after December 31, 2004 — it was measured by the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, which EGTRRA phased out — and the entire chapter (§§ 59-11-101 through 59-11-115) was repealed outright effective May 6, 2026 by H.B. 77, 2026 General SessionVerified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC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. Utah imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance taxNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax. Utah's pick-up inheritance tax (Utah Code Title 59, Chapter 11, Inheritance Tax Act) produced $0 for deaths after December 31, 2004 — it was measured by the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, which EGTRRA phased out — and the entire chapter (§§ 59-11-101 through 59-11-115) was repealed outright effective May 6, 2026 by H.B. 77, 2026 General SessionVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.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: Utah taxes neither the estate nor the beneficiaryNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax. Utah's pick-up inheritance tax (Utah Code Title 59, Chapter 11, Inheritance Tax Act) produced $0 for deaths after December 31, 2004 — it was measured by the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, which EGTRRA phased out — and the entire chapter (§§ 59-11-101 through 59-11-115) was repealed outright effective May 6, 2026 by H.B. 77, 2026 General SessionVerified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the IRS does not treat an inheritance as income.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 rates.
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 Utah
Free Utah 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 Utah, creditors have 3 monthsUtah Code § 75-3-801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Utah, the Small Estate AffidavitUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000Utah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Utah, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Utah, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsUtah Code §§ 75-3-1003(2), 75-3-1005Verified 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 Utah, a will is signed before 2Utah Code § 75-2-502Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyUtah Code § 75-2-502Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Utah requires 1Utah Code § 75A-9-110 (formerly § 75A-3-303)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witness for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredUtah Code § 75A-9-110 (formerly § 75A-3-303)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Utah
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Utah: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Utah imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax. Utah's pick-up inheritance tax (Utah Code Title 59, Chapter 11, Inheritance Tax Act) produced $0 for deaths after December 31, 2004 — it was measured by the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, which EGTRRA phased out — and the entire chapter (§§ 59-11-101 through 59-11-115) was repealed outright effective May 6, 2026 by H.B. 77, 2026 General SessionVerified 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 Utah 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 Utah costs an estimated $27,719Utah Code § 75-3-718 (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 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $100,000Utah Code § 75-3-1201Verified 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 Utah costs an estimated $27,719Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (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 Utah, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateUtah Code § 75-2-102Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita at each generationUtah Code § 75-2-106Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Utah, certified death certificates come from the Utah Office of Vital Records and StatisticsUtah Office of Vital Records and StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $35Utah Office of Vital Records and StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $10Utah Office of Vital Records and StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
Do I Need Probate?
In Utah, estates valued at $100,000Utah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
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Utah Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Utah probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.