(The Epoch Times)—The estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at the end of your life. It encompasses an accounting of everything you own or have an interest in on the date of your death. If you die in 2025, according to the IRS, and the value of your estate exceeds $13.99 million, it will be subject to an estate tax.
But there are ways to minimize the estate tax that you should be planning before you pass. From trusts to life insurance, you can ensure the federal government, and, in some cases, the state, take less of your hard-earned money.
Difference Between Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax
An estate above a certain dollar amount can be taxed by the federal government. According to U.S. Bank, the federal tax rate ranges from 18 percent to 40 percent.
However, inheritance is not taxed by the federal government. There is an exception.
If you earn money from that inheritance, the money you earn can be taxed. For example, if you inherit one million dollars, you are not taxed on it. But if you deposit it in the bank and it earns five percent, that additional $50,000 will be taxed.
However, some states do levy an inheritance tax. According to the Tax Policy Center, these states include:
- Iowa (phases out to repeal in 2025)
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
According to the Tax Policy Center, Maryland is the only state with an estate and inheritance tax.
Life Insurance to Pay Estate Taxes
You can establish a trust that will own an insurance policy on your life. You will make payments to the trust, which will be used to pay the premium.
At death, the proceeds are exempt from estate taxes if the trustee adheres to IRS requirements. The proceeds from the life insurance can be used to pay the estate taxes.
Irrevocable Trust Avoids Taxes
Once created, an irrevocable trust can’t be changed or terminated. Establish an irrevocable trust when you do your estate planning. You can make most trusts irrevocable.
This type of trust offers your assets the most protection from creditors and lawsuits. According to the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, the assets in an irrevocable trust aren’t considered personal property.
Because they’re not personal property, the assets aren’t included when the IRS values your estate to determine if taxes are owed.
These assets are also protected from creditors if you file for bankruptcy.
Charitable Trust Avoids Taxes
A charitable trust allows you to donate money in a tax-efficient way. A charitable trust acts like an irrevocable trust. That means that charitable trust assets aren’t considered personal assets and, therefore, aren’t susceptible to estate taxes.
There are two types of charitable trusts.
Charitable Lead Trusts
Charitable lead trusts let you put aside specific assets for one or more organizations. You then distribute the rest of your property to your other beneficiaries. Charitable lead trusts are irrevocable, so you can’t change them once you have put them in place. While not completely tax-exempt, they can significantly reduce estate taxes.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is an irrevocable trust you can use as an income source until your death. You place your assets into the CRT.
The assets in the CRT continue to be a source of income, but when you die, the remaining assets in the CRT are distributed to one or more charitable organizations.
Gifting Money Before Dying
You could gift assets to your beneficiaries before you die.
According to the IRS, the annual gift tax exclusion for 2025 is $19,000. This increased from $18,000 in 2024. Married couples can use gift-splitting to give up to $38,000 without the gift being considered taxable.
Remember that any amount you give over the annual limit is subtracted from the lifetime gift tax exclusion. For 2025, according to Morgan Lewis, the lifetime gift tax exclusion is $13.99 million or $27.98 million for married couples.
Fund a 529 or Custodial Account
If you have children or grandchildren, funding an education account for them could reduce your estate.
Contribution limits for 529s are set by states. But you can contribute up to $19,000 annually to them without triggering the gift tax, according to Fidelity Investments.
Do States Have Estate Taxes?
Twelve states collect estate taxes. These include, along with their top tax rate:
- Maryland – 16%
- Vermont – 16%
- New York – 16%
- Massachusetts – 16%
- Connecticut – 12%
- Rhode Island – 16%
- Washington – 20%
- Oregon – 16%
- Minnesota – 16%
- Illinois – 16%
- Hawaii – 20%
- Maine – 12%
The District of Columbia also collects estate taxes. Their top rate is 16 percent.
Minimizing Estate Taxes
The best course of action is to lay out a plan. That starts with knowing the estate tax rules of the state where you live. Know your options.
Determine what income you’ll need to live on, and then meet with an estate attorney to develop a plan.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
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Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.





