Delaware’s estate tax is in the crosshairs of the state Republican Party’s weekly message.
The tax, which levies a progressive fee on inherited wealth, was reinstated in 2009 as part of a budget deal to carry the state through a historical revenue shortfall.
Last year, a taskforce recommended dropping the estate tax, but no movement has been made toward doing so.
“The Estate Tax creates an incentive for top income-earners to either move or declare residency elsewhere. The council concluded that the movement of a small portion of these citizens – and the elimination of their overall tax contributions – could result in a net loss to the state,” said House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson (R-Fairthorne)
A bill repealing the estate task was introduced last January, but is collecting dust in the House, ready for the agenda at any time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYCnG3m894w&feature=youtu.be
The entire text of the GOP weekly message is below:
Hi, I’m State Rep. Deborah Hudson.
Delaware is one of 19 states that impose either an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
Among all the levies placed on citizens, the estate tax is one of the most offensive, essentially taxing a person because they died. It’s all the more objectionable because these assets – such as homes, farms, and businesses – are things on which the decedent has already repeatedly paid taxes.
It’s time for this to end.
Aside from ideology, there is good reason to repeal Delaware’s Estate Tax, which has proven to be a minor, unpredictable, and volatile source of revenue.
In fact, the Advisory Council on Revenues – formed by Gov. Jack Markell under Executive Order 47 – cited these issues when it called for repealing the tax last year.
Our Estate Tax has one of the highest thresholds in the nation, applying only to high-value estates. However, this distinction is another argument for repeal.
The Estate Tax creates an incentive for top income-earners to either move or declare residency elsewhere. The council concluded that the movement of a small portion of these citizens – and the elimination of their overall tax contributions – could result in a net loss to the state.
Additionally, estates with large values do not necessarily belong to the rich. Many farms and small businesses, while having large monetary values, are cash poor.
Delaware previously repealed this tax about 10 years ago, but it was temporarily reinstated in 2009 as part of a budget deal. General Assembly Democrats reneged on that agreement, making the tax permanent three years ago.
Delaware Republicans believe the state should not be in the business of grave-robbing, nor inserting itself between the departed and their rightful heirs.
House Bill 149, which seeks to abolish the Death Tax, has been on the House Ready list awaiting action since June. It deserves to be debated on it merits.