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Estate and Inheritance Tax in New Jersey

New Jersey has no estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2018, but it still has an inheritance tax that depends on who the beneficiaries are.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

New Jersey at a glance

State estate tax
No
Repealed for deaths on or after January 1, 2018.
Estate tax exemption
No state estate tax
Top estate tax rate
No state estate tax
Inheritance tax
Yes
The amount depends on the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent and on the assets.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in New Jersey

Does New Jersey have a state estate tax?

No. State estate tax in New Jersey: no. Repealed for deaths on or after January 1, 2018.

What is the estate tax exemption in New Jersey?

Estate tax exemption in New Jersey: No state estate tax.

What is the top estate tax rate in New Jersey?

Top estate tax rate in New Jersey: No state estate tax.

Does New Jersey have an inheritance tax?

Yes. Inheritance tax in New Jersey: yes. The amount depends on the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent and on the assets.

Where do the New Jersey estate and inheritance tax rules come from?

The rules above come from NJ Division of Taxation: Inheritance and Estate Tax, NJ Division of Taxation: Inheritance and Estate Tax (inheritance) and NJ Division of Taxation: Inheritance and Estate Tax (estate tax history). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Before the repeal, the estate tax exemption was $2 million for deaths in 2017.

What this means in practice

State estate tax exemptions can be much lower than the federal exemption, so an estate that owes no federal tax may still owe state tax. Some states adjust their exemption each year for inflation, so check the amount for the year of death.

Real estate is generally taxed by the state where it is located. A person who lives in one state and owns land in another may need to consider the rules of both states, which is one reason some people hold out-of-state property in a living trust.

Estate and inheritance tax returns have filing deadlines and may require payment before the estate is closed. Executors often work with a tax professional to value assets, claim deductions such as the marital and charitable deductions, and file on time.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.