Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced: What You Need to Know
On February 13, 2025, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act, a bill aimed at permanently eliminating the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax. The proposed legislation also seeks to reduce the federal gift tax rate from 40% to 35%, while maintaining the step-up in basis for inherited assets.
Why This Matters
Senator Cramer emphasized that taxing assets after death results in double taxation, as individuals already pay taxes on their income during life. Senator Thune pointed out that the estate tax disproportionately burdens family-owned businesses, making it difficult for them to pass down wealth across generations.