The capital gains tax the basis step-up saves heirs.
Educational estimate using 2026 figures. Not tax or legal advice.
Inherited assets get a basis equal to their date-of-death value. We compare the heir's gain and tax using that stepped-up basis versus the original basis to show the tax saved.
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When you inherit an asset, its cost basis resets to the market value on the date of death — the "step-up." All the appreciation that happened during the original owner’s life simply vanishes for capital gains purposes. An heir who sells right away often owes little or nothing.
Say your parents bought a house for $200,000 and it’s worth $800,000 when inherited. Without the step-up, selling would trigger tax on a $600,000 gain. With it, the basis becomes $800,000 — sell for $820,000 and the taxable gain is just $20,000. That’s why advisors often counsel holding highly appreciated assets until death rather than gifting them during life.
An inherited asset's cost basis resets to its fair market value on the date of death.
It can eliminate capital gains tax on a lifetime of appreciation when heirs sell.
No — gifted assets keep the giver's original basis. Only inherited assets step up.
No — it’s an educational estimate.