Inheritance tax
Although most developed countries assess an inheritance and gift tax
on transfers on property, there are differences between the specific
provisions in each country which have to be analysed. Against this
background the aim of this research project is to analyse and to
compare the Inheritance Tax systems of different countries. As I
pointed out in the introduction, the Inheritance Tax rules are
complicated and a comparison between different countries could be
even more complicated but we tried our very best to point out the
most interesting differences, similarities and key problems with
regard to the Inheritance Tax rules within Europe.
The choice has been 21 different European countries from which 16 is
represented in our Consortium. The examined countries outside the
I.A.C.-family were Denmark, Finland, Greece , Italy and
Liechtenstein
The main items in the questionaire were payer, tax base, tariff, allowance and other specials with regard to the Inheritance Tax system.
In the majority of the examined countries the tax base were - all worldwide movable assets and real estate in the country of domicile. Almost all countries have a progressive tariff and the rates vary with degree of relationships between deceased and inheritor.
