PRINTER'S NO. 944

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 867 Session of 1979


        INTRODUCED BY WAGNER, MARCH 27, 1979

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 27, 1979

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending the act of June 15, 1961 (P.L.373, No.207), entitled
     2     "An act providing for the imposition of certain taxes upon
     3     the transfer of property passing from a decedent who was a
     4     resident of the Commonwealth at the time of his death or
     5     presumed death and of property having its situs in the
     6     Commonwealth of a decedent who was a nonresident of the
     7     Commonwealth at the time of his death or presumed death;
     8     imposing additional taxes to equal Federal Estate Tax
     9     Credits; defining and taxing certain transfers made in
    10     contemplation of death, or to take effect in possession or
    11     enjoyment at or after death; defining as a transfer and
    12     taxing the right of survivorship in certain property as to
    13     which such right exists; defining and exempting from tax,
    14     transfers to certain persons or for certain purposes or of
    15     certain property; providing for the valuation of property and
    16     interests in property, the transfer of which is subject to
    17     tax; defining and allowing deductions from the value of
    18     property, the transfer of which is subject to tax; providing
    19     for the persons ultimately liable for taxes in the absence of
    20     a direction by the decedent to the contrary; providing for
    21     the reporting of transfers and collection of taxes; imposing
    22     penalties upon banks or other financial institutions for
    23     failure to give notice to the Department of Revenue of the
    24     death of a party to a joint or trust deposit therein and upon
    25     persons who fail to file tax returns and documents; providing
    26     for the compromise of taxes in the case of alleged
    27     nonresidents of the Commonwealth; making it unlawful for any
    28     person to make a false return or report; providing for liens
    29     upon real property, the transfer of which is subject to tax,
    30     and release thereof; authorizing the Secretary of Revenue to
    31     bring suits in other jurisdictions for the collection of
    32     taxes, and authorizing officials of other jurisdictions to
    33     bring suits in the Commonwealth for the collection of death
    34     taxes imposed by their jurisdictions; providing for the
    35     refund of taxes to which the Commonwealth is not rightfully


     1     or equitably entitled; providing for appeals and protests
     2     from the imposition of taxes; regulating the entry into safe
     3     deposit boxes of a decedent by certain persons, and providing
     4     penalties; dealing with the jurisdiction, powers and
     5     procedure of the orphans' court, Secretary of Revenue,
     6     Department of Revenue, Attorney General, and register of
     7     wills in matters relating to taxes; and citing certain acts
     8     for repeal," changing the rate of inheritance tax for certain
     9     heirs.

    10     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    11  hereby enacts as follows:
    12     Section 1.  Section 404, act of June 15, 1961 (P.L.373,
    13  No.207), known as the "Inheritance and Estate Tax Act of 1961,"
    14  is amended to read:
    15     Section 404.  Rate of Tax; Class B.--Inheritance tax upon the
    16  transfer of property passing to or for the use of all persons
    17  other than those designated in section 403, shall be at the rate
    18  of [fifteen (15)] six (6) percent.
    19     Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately and shall
    20  apply to--
    21     (1)  The estates of all decedents dying on or after that day;
    22     (2)  Inter vivos transfers made by decedents dying on or
    23  after that day regardless of the date of the transfer.
    24     Existing laws shall remain in full force and effect for the
    25  estates of all decedents dying before the effective date of this
    26  act.






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