This is done by the person dealing with the estate (called the 'executor', if there's a will). Your beneficiaries (the people who inherit your estate) do not normally pay tax on things they inherit. They may have related taxes to pay, for example if they get rental income from a house left to them in a will.
Many people worry about the estate tax affecting the inheritance they pass along to their children, but it's not a reality most people will face. In 2025, the first $13,990,000 of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes, up from $13,610,000 in 2024. Estate taxes are based on the size of the estate.
The income that inherited assets generate after they are inherited, such as dividends from stocks, rent from properties, or interest from cash accounts, is considered taxable income under Federal law.
If you receive income from an inheritance, providing documentation such as a will or a letter from the estate executor can prove your financial resources. This documentation should outline the amount inherited and any distribution schedule, giving landlords a clear understanding of your long-term financial stability.
Gifts and inheritance Personal income types
If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income.
The Public Housing Agency (PHA) will need to determine how the inheritance is distributed. One-time lump sum amounts are not considered income. However, if the tenant is receiving regular, periodic payments, that would qualify as income.
This means that when the beneficiary withdraws those monies from the accounts, the beneficiary will receive a 1099 from the company administering the plan and must report that income on their income tax return (and must pay income taxes on the sum).
Deposit the money into a safe account
Your first action to take when receiving a lump sum is to deposit the money into an FDIC-insured bank account. This will allow for safekeeping while you consider how to make the best use of your inheritance.
Many states assess an inheritance tax. That means that you, as the beneficiary, will have to pay taxes when you receive an inheritance. How much you'll be assessed depends on the state you live in, the size of your inheritance, the types of assets included, and your relationship with the deceased.
Immediately after receiving an inheritance, you should notify your local Social Security office.
While beneficiaries don't owe income tax on money they inherit, if their inheritance includes an individual retirement account (IRA), they will have to take distributions from it over a certain period and, if it is a traditional IRA rather than a Roth, pay income tax on that money.
In general, any inheritance you receive does not need to be reported to the IRS. You typically don't need to report inheritance money to the IRS because inheritances aren't considered taxable income by the federal government. That said, earnings made off of the inheritance may need to be reported.
Recent court case clarifies how an inheritance affects mean tested benefits. In previous blogs we explained that receiving an inheritance can compromise the recipient's means-tested benefits which, in the case of a person with disabilities, could put their future financial security at risk.
Inheritance checks are generally not reported to the IRS unless they involve cash or cash equivalents exceeding $10,000. Banks and financial institutions are required to report such transactions using Form 8300. Most inheritances are paid by regular check, wire transfer, or other means that don't qualify for reporting.
You don't need to report a cash inheritance on your federal return. The IRS doesn't impose an inheritance tax. Only a handful of states (Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) have some kind of inheritance tax.
Another key difference: While there is no federal inheritance tax, there is a federal estate tax. The federal estate tax generally applies to assets over $13.61 million in 2024 and $13.99 million in 2025, and the federal estate tax rate ranges from 18% to 40%.
You must report any income you receive passed through from the estate to you and reported on a Schedule K-1 (1041) on your income tax return. In addition, any property you receive from the estate will typically be considered valued at its fair market value at the date of the original owner's death.
That said, an inheritance of $100,000 or more is generally considered large. This is a considerable sum of money, and receiving such a windfall can be intimidating, especially if you have limited experience managing excess funds.
Whether your inheritance qualifies as an asset or income, ensure you report it to HUD. Otherwise, you may be held liable for additional fees and penalties.
NOTE: There is no asset limitation for participation in HUD assisted-housing programs. However, the definition of annual income includes net income from family assets.
However, receiving an inheritance won't affect Social Security and SSDI benefits. SSI is a federal program that pays benefits to U.S. citizens who are over age 65, blind or disabled and who have limited income and resources.