The federal estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death—whether by will or intestate succession (transfer to heirs when a person dies without a will, as provided by state statute). The estate tax consists of an accounting of everything you own or have certain interests in on the date of your death.

The fair market value of these items is used—not necessarily what you paid for them or what their values were when you acquired them. The total of all your assets at death is your "gross estate." The property included in your gross estate may consist of cash and securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and other assets.

In Ohio, the federal estate tax applies to the transfer of property at death, including transfers by will or intestate succession. The tax is based on the fair market value of the decedent's assets at the time of death, which collectively make up the 'gross estate.' This includes a variety of assets such as cash, securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, and business interests. As of the knowledge cutoff in 2023, the federal estate tax exemption is significantly high, meaning that only estates exceeding a certain value are subject to the tax. This exemption amount is adjusted periodically for inflation. It's important to note that Ohio does not have a state-level estate tax; the Ohio estate tax was repealed effective January 1, 2013. Therefore, for Ohio residents, only the federal estate tax would apply, and only if the estate exceeds the federal exemption amount.