Estate Tax-Federal Estate Tax

StephenWeinstein asked:


All of the questions here from persons who incorrectly think that the U.S. taxes the heirs have gotten me thinking:

If an estate that owes estate tax does not pay it, and instead (illegally) distributes all the assets to the heirs, including the money that should have gone to the IRS, what happens? Can the IRS seize the assets that the heirs received from the estate? Obviously, the IRS cannot have a dead person arrested for tax evasion. Do the heirs become personally liable for the tax? Is only the executor personally liable?

Vicky

Viver asked:


we do not have agreement such as the percentage of the house. We pay the mortgage and the tax together. But for the tax return, we need to split the total amount. Can we just adjust whatever we want, as long as the total amounts are right? Thanks

Margene Manthey