[Wolfstar]

I don't care what the business man sold to make his money. He worked for it and it ought to be his to leave to whomever he wishes when he dies.

Not only that, but he paid taxes on it while he was alive and earning it. Estate taxes are double taxation on the same income and property.

[OldFriend]

LOL....we actually have a neighbor who got rich selling sterilized poop to use as plant fertilizer. He sold them on Home Shopping Network. I kid you not!

It was his idea, he got it done, he sold it, and the money he made ought to be his. No doubt he paid big time taxes since the sales went thru HSN and are recorded.

[TruthNtegrity]

I'm very late to the thread but I thought I'd add - that I sold a house (in 2005) that was supposed to be my inheritance from my parents, and I just hated to sign the IRS forms and write the check for so much of what was supposed to be MINE!

I paid taxes on that house that had been bought with money on which taxes had been paid numerous times as my Dad made money not only from his salary but from buying/selling stock. Then I paid the mortgage on same house, with money that had been taxed several times (also salary and stock buying/selling) so sending in a check to the Feds with that many zeroes - on money that had already been taxed 3-4-5-6 times before just made me nuts.

I've been writing letters to Senators and Congress Critters to get this inheritance tax done away with.

Can you see the perpetuation of the problem, when I die and my inheritors have to pay taxes, AGAIN, on money that has already been taxed multiple times??? It's my definition of insanity.