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Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) voted in support of legislation to repeal the Estate Tax, more commonly referred to as the “Death Tax.”

Under current law, when someone passes away the federal government takes 40 percent of the deceased person’s taxable estate. 

“For many families across the country, the term ‘estate’ is misleading – these are frequently family-owned small businesses or family farms,” said Congressman Guthrie.  “When a loved one passes away, the last thing their family should have to deal with is selling their family business or farm just to pay the taxes on the inheritance.  Our tax code should not be punishing hard-working Americans with a heartless, ill-conceived tax.”

H.R. 1105, the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, will repeal the Estate Tax and lower the effective gift tax rate from 40 percent to 35 percent.  Lowering this amount will enable family farms and smalls businesses to focus on investing in their operations, rather than using extensive resources to prepare for one’s finances after death.

“Repealing this tax will help boost our local economies and provide greater certainty to families all across the country,” added Congressman Guthrie.

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