Estate Taxes: An Historical Perspective

Until recently, estate taxes (also known as death taxes) were the almost exclusive headache of the super-rich, their tax attorneys, and their estate planners. But a strong economy, an ever-widening distribution of wealth – both good things – coupled with tax policy that has failed to keep up with economic growth have extended the reach of estate taxes well into middle-class America.

Discussion Questions

1. Should the Estate Tax be reworked?
2. Should the Estate Tax exist?