The Ethics of Abolishing Estate, Gift and Inheritance Taxes

Estate, inheritance and gift taxes are minor forms of raising revenue. They are related, since they all deal with the taking of accumulated wealth. Estate taxes are levied on the estate of a deceased person. Inheritance taxes are levied by most states on those who receive the property of a deceased person. And gift taxes are levied either on the donor or donee for property that is transferred before death. All three are based on the ability to pay principle, which is morally bankrupt. It would be difficult to argue that these taxes are justified on a benefit received basis, since dead people derive no benefit from government. The author discusses some ethical issues involved in these forms of taxation and suggests that the ethical solution is to abolish them