Thanks for the correction.a1nipper said:The estate tax in the U.S. only applies to estates exceeding $5,340,000.BeHereNow said:In the states if an owner of a safety deposit box dies, Big Brother get to open the box, to see what has been stored, and figure out the tax that is due, probably about 40% for most of us, maybe more.
In many states there is a flat 5% tax - excluded if the spouse is surviving.
There is also a concern that the Gov may decide to confiscate, not today, but under future circumstances.
For Pennsylvania -"Pennsylvania has a law which specifically addresses the entry into a safe deposit box upon the death of the owner. This law is designed to prevent the contents of the box from escaping the eyes of the inheritance tax authorities. There are a few exceptions but, generally, banks are obligated to seal a decedent's safe deposit box until it is inventoried by a representative of the Department of Revenue. (later) "Maintaining a safe deposit box to secure your valuables is certainly a wise decision. If your aim, however, is to pass on your wealth without sharing it with the tax authorities, the safe deposit box provides no protection."
http://www.estateattorney.com/safedepo.htm
The Department of Revenue wants to know what I own for a reason, and it is not to help me.
They will not take 40% right off the top as I had thought, so not as bad an idea as I had thought.
In my mind, still not a good idea.