What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance in Wyoming, and When Will I Receive It?
Wyoming imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate or inheritance tax is payable. Wyoming never repealed its death tax: Wyo. Stat. § 39-19-103(a) still imposes "a tax... on the transfer of property constituting the Wyoming gross estate of every decedent," but § 39-19-103(b) sets the amount at "the maximum state death tax credit allowed to a Wyoming estate as a credit against federal estate taxes under the laws of the United States." That federal credit (former IRC § 2011) was phased out by EGTRRA 2001 and terminated for deaths after Dec 31, 2004 (IRC § 2011(g)), so the Wyoming tax computes to $0 for every death on or after January 1, 2005. Despite the chapter caption "Inheritance Taxes," Chapter 19 is a pick-up estate tax — Wyoming has no relationship-class inheritance tax and no state gift or generation-skipping transfer tax.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.
No. Wyoming imposes no state inheritance tax, so a beneficiary owes no state tax on what they receive. An inherited retirement account (a 401(k) or a traditional IRA) is still taxed as income when it is withdrawn, and the federal estate tax reaches an estate above the federal exemption.
No. The IRS does not treat inherited money, real estate or personal items as income, so a beneficiary in Wyoming does not report them on a federal return when received. Two exceptions: an inherited retirement account (a 401(k) or a traditional IRA) is taxed as ordinary income as it is withdrawn, and earnings after the date of death are taxable. Inherited property takes a stepped-up basis, its value on the date of death, for any later capital gain.
It depends on how the asset passes. Life insurance and a retirement account with a named beneficiary pay in a few weeks once the claim is filed. Trust distributions in Wyoming typically follow the 4 monthsWyo. Stat. § 4-10-507(a) — creditor barred at the earlier of (i) 2 years after settlor death, (ii) 120 days after first publication of trustee notice (once/week for 2 weeks per § 4-10-204 venue), or (iii) 120 days after certified-mail notice to known creditors; § 4-10-507(b) makes the bar absolute. Notice is elective (permissive "may"); default 2-year bar applies if trustee does nothing. Verified 2026-06-19.Verified Jul 15, 2026View source creditor bar that runs once the trustee gives notice. A probate estate in Wyoming takes 6 months to 12 months on average, and longer with a dispute or unusual assets.
Wyoming gives creditors 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to file a claim against the estate. The executor does not make final distributions until the period has run, which is what keeps a beneficiary from inheriting an unpaid debt along with the asset.
In Wyoming, estates valued at $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less use the Affidavit for Distribution of Personal PropertyWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, 30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate. In Wyoming the affidavit is filed with the Office of the County Clerk, and holders honor the court's certified copy — but no letters testamentary or of administration issue. The waiting period is 30 days after death. For a beneficiary that means the asset arrives in weeks rather than the months a probate estate takes.
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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.
Learn moreForms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free Wyoming 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 Wyoming, the notice to creditors is published for 3W.S. §§ 2-7-201, 2-7-205, 2-7-701, 2-7-702, 2-7-703, 2-7-704Verified Sep 15, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Wyoming, a person named as executor may renounce the right to serveW.S. 2-6-201(a)(ii)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Wyoming, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areWyo. Stat. § 34-11-101; §§ 2-1-201, 2-9-102 to 2-9-103, 2-9-201 to 2-9-203Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is prima facie evidence of the facts stated.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Wyoming, the Affidavit for Distribution of Personal PropertyWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source covers estates valued at $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less, 30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
In Wyoming, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysW.S. §§ 2-7-403, 2-7-404, 2-7-410Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Wyoming, the personal representative is discharged by court orderW.S. § 2-7-814Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Wyoming: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Wyoming levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax is payable. Wyoming never repealed its death tax: Wyo. Stat. § 39-19-103(a) still imposes "a tax... on the transfer of property constituting the Wyoming gross estate of every decedent," but § 39-19-103(b) sets the amount at "the maximum state death tax credit allowed to a Wyoming estate as a credit against federal estate taxes under the laws of the United States." That federal credit (former IRC § 2011) was phased out by EGTRRA 2001 and terminated for deaths after Dec 31, 2004 (IRC § 2011(g)), so the Wyoming tax computes to $0 for every death on or after January 1, 2005. Despite the chapter caption "Inheritance Taxes," Chapter 19 is a pick-up estate tax — Wyoming has no relationship-class inheritance tax and no state gift or generation-skipping transfer tax.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.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Wyoming 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 no state capital gains taxWyo. Stat. § 39-12-101 (Title 39, ch. 12 — Income Tax; Preemption by state) — "The state of Wyoming does hereby preempt for itself the field of imposing and levying income taxes, earning taxes, or any other form of tax based on wages or other income and no county, city, town or other political subdivision shall have the right to impose, levy or collect such taxes."Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Wyoming costs an estimated $21,210Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateWyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Estates under $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 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 Wyoming costs an estimated $21,210Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Wyoming, a surviving spouse takes half of the estateWyo. Stat. § 2-4-101Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesWyo. Stat. § 2-4-101Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Wyoming, certified death certificates come from the Wyoming Department of Health - Vital Records ServicesWyoming Department of Health - Vital Records ServicesVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $25Wyoming Department of Health - Vital Records ServicesVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $20Wyoming Department of Health - Vital Records ServicesVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
Do I Need Probate?
In Wyoming, estates valued at $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less use the Affidavit for Distribution of Personal PropertyWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, 30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
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Wyoming Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Wyoming probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.