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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 6018. Estate tax returns

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 6018

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Enacted
November 13, 1966 by Pub. L. 89–809
Last amended
December 17, 2010 by Pub. L. 111–312
Amendments
9 dated changes in the source credit
Length
2 subsections · 432 words · about 2 min to read
Cross-references
cites 3; cited by 8 Code sections and 15 other regulations
Regulations
5 issued under this section
(a) Returns by executor
(1) Citizens or residents

In all cases where the gross estate at the death of a citizen or resident exceeds the basic exclusion amount in effect under section 2010(c) for the calendar year which includes the date of death, the executor shall make a return with respect to the estate tax imposed by subtitle B.

(2) Nonresidents not citizens of the United States

In the case of the estate of every nonresident not a citizen of the United States if that part of the gross estate which is situated in the United States exceeds $60,000, the executor shall make a return with respect to the estate tax imposed by subtitle B.

(3) Adjustment for certain gifts The amount applicable under paragraph (1) and the amount set forth in paragraph (2) shall each be reduced (but not below zero) by the sum of—
(A) the amount of the adjusted taxable gifts (within the meaning of section 2001(b)) made by the decedent after December 31, 1976, plus
(B) the aggregate amount allowed as a specific exemption under section 2521 (as in effect before its repeal by the Tax Reform Act of 1976) with respect to gifts made by the decedent after September 8, 1976.
(b) Returns by beneficiaries

If the executor is unable to make a complete return as to any part of the gross estate of the decedent, he shall include in his return a description of such part and the name of every person holding a legal or beneficial interest therein. Upon notice from the Secretary such person shall in like manner make a return as to such part of the gross estate.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 739; Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 108(g), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1574; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), title XX, § 2001(c)(1)(J), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834, 1852; Pub. L. 97–34, title IV, § 401(a)(2)(B), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 299; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 544(b)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 894; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011A(g)(12), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3482; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7304(b)(2)(B), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2353; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11801(a)(43), (c)(19)(C), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–521, 1388–528; Pub. L. 105–34, title V, § 501(a)(1)(C), title X, § 1073(b)(4), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 845, 948; Pub. L. 107–16, title V, § 542(b)(1), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 81; Pub. L. 111–312, title III, §§ 301(a), 303(b)(3), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3300, 3303.)

Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 6018

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 3 other sections

Cited by 8 Code sections

Cited in 15 regulations not issued under it

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 111–312Parts changed in 2010: (a)(1)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 107–16
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (a)(1) (a)(4)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (a)(3)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (c)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (a)(5)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (c)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 97–34Parts changed in 1981: (a)(1) (a)(3)
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a)(1) (a)(2) (a)(3) (b)
  10. Enacted by Pub. L. 89–809Parts changed in 1966: (a)(2)

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle F Procedure and Administration
  2. Chapter 61 INFORMATION AND RETURNS
  3. Subchapter A Returns and Records
  4. Part II TAX RETURNS OR STATEMENTS
  5. Subpart C Estate and Gift Tax Returns

Nearby sections

Official notes

Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 2521 of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B), was repealed by section 2001(b)(3) of Pub. L. 94–455, applicable to gifts made after Dec. 31, 1976.

The Tax Reform Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(B), is Pub. L. 94–455, Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1520. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1976 Amendments note set out under section 1 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–312, § 301(a), amended section to read as if amendment by Pub. L. 107–16, § 542(b)(1), had never been enacted. See 2001 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–312, § 303(b)(3), substituted “basic exclusion amount” for “applicable exclusion amount”.

2001—Pub. L. 107–16, § 542(b)(1), amended section generally, substituting provisions related to tax returns for certain large transfers at death for provisions related to estate tax returns.

1997—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–34, § 501(a)(1)(C), substituted “the applicable exclusion amount in effect under section 2010(c) for the calendar year which includes the date of death” for “$600,000”.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1073(b)(4), struck out par. (4) which read as follows:

“(4) Return required if excess retirement accumulation tax.—The executor shall make a return with respect to the estate tax imposed by subtitle B in any case where such tax is increased by reason of section 4980A(d).”

1990—Subsec. (a)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 101–508 redesignated pars. (4) and (5) as (3) and (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (3) which provided for phase-in of estate tax return filing requirement amount.

1989—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–239 struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows:

“Election Under Section 2210.—In all cases in which subsection (a) requires the filing of a return, if an executor elects the applications of section 2210—

“(1) Return by executor.—The return which the executor is required to file under the provisions of subsection (a) shall be made with respect to that portion of estate tax imposed by subtitle B which the executor is required to pay.

“(2) Return by plan administrator.—The plan administrator of an employee stock ownership plan or the eligible worker-owned cooperative, as the case may be, shall make a return with respect to that portion of the tax imposed by section 2001 which such plan or cooperative is required to pay under section 2210(b).”

1988—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 100–647 added par. (5).

1984—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369 added subsec. (c).

1981—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–34, § 401(a)(2)(B)(i), substituted “$600,000” for “$175,000”.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 97–34, § 401(a)(2)(B)(ii), set forth par. (1) substitutions for “$600,000” amount of “$225,000”, “$275,000”, “$325,000”, “$400,000”, and “$500,000” in the case of decedents dying in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986, respectively, and struck out par. (1) substitutions for “$175,000” amount of “$120,000”, “$134,000”, “$147,000”, and “$161,000” in the case of decedents dying during 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980, respectively.

1976—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2001(c)(1)(J)(i), substituted “$175,000” for “$60,000”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2001(c)(1)(J)(ii), substituted “$60,000” for “$30,000”.

Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 94–455, § 2001(c)(1)(J)(iii), added pars. (3) and (4).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

1966—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 89–809 substituted “$30,000” for “$2,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by section 301(a) of Pub. L. 111–312 applicable to estates of decedents dying, and transfers made after Dec. 31, 2009, except as otherwise provided, see section 301(e) of Pub. L. 111–312, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note under section 121 of this title.

Amendment by section 303(b)(3) of Pub. L. 111–312 applicable to estates of decedents dying and gifts made after Dec. 31, 2010, see section 303(c)(1) of Pub. L. 111–312, set out as a note under section 2010 of this title.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 2009, see section 542(f)(1) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under section 121 of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by section 501(a)(1)(C) of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after Dec. 31, 1997, see section 501(f) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Amendment by section 1073(b)(4) of Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 1073(c) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as an Effective Date of Repeal note under section 4980A of this title.

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 applicable to estates of decedents dying after July 12, 1989, see section 7304(b)(3) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 2002 of this title.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to estates of decedents which are required to file returns on a date (including any extensions) after July 18, 1984, see section 544(d) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 2002 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1981, see section 401(c)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 2010 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 2001(c)(1)(J) of Pub. L. 94–455 applicable to estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 2001(d)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 2001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–809 applicable with respect to estates of decedents dying after Nov. 13, 1966, see section 108(i) of Pub. L. 89–809, set out as a note under section 2101 of this title.

Savings Provision

For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.