There’s never an easy time to talk about a family member passing away. Add money and inheritance to the conversation and most people would rather avoid the topic altogether. We understand. But we also know that planning ahead can save your family a lot of stress and unnecessary bills down the line. Especially when it comes to taxes, inheritance, and the distribution of assets.

Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about the future.

Understanding the basics

Most developed countries have an inheritance (or estate) tax. That is, a direct tax on the total value of a deceased person's money and property that is paid out to the government before any distribution to beneficiaries. This tax can run as high as 55% in Japan, although the UK’s number isn’t too far behind at 40%.

Australia is an outlier, in that we don’t currently have any kind of inheritance tax. Whatever assets are passed down to family members, whether that’s property, cash, shares or otherwise, are exempt from any direct tax.

The caveat is that any change to a person’s financial position following on from an inheritance will be subject to the usual taxes, including interest earned, capital gains, etc. So, if you inherit a share portfolio, or a sum of cash that generates interest, you’ll be obliged to pay the relevant taxes on any earnings it generates.

Inheritance tax in Australia

Australia had an inheritance tax until 1979. But when Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen abolished all inheritance and gift taxes in the mid-70s to attract interstate migrants, the Federal Government responded by abolishing those same taxes nationally.

30 years later, the 2010 Henry Tax Review noted that the lack of inheritance tax had significant future implications. It found "large asset accumulations" ended in the hands of a relatively small number of people, and noted that inheritances were likely to rise from $22 billion in 2010 to $85 billion in 2030.

While there has been some discussion about the reintroduction of an inheritance tax, it’s not seen as a politically feasible policy from either of the major parties. Indeed, the Grattan Institute’s Budget Policy Director, Danielle Wood, described such a tax as "heinously unpopular" at the ballot box even while supporting the budgetary upside.

Inheritance tax around the world

Other developed nations have maintained inheritance taxes of varying amounts. The top five nations are outlined below.

Those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Most countries have a sliding scale based on the value of the estate. In the U.S. you would need assets worth $11 million USD (approximately $15 million AUD), to reach the upper end of the spectrum.

On the other end of the spectrum, the United Kingdom applies an inheritance tax on any estate above £325,000 GBP (approximately $570,000 AUD), and imposes a 40% tax on any sums above that threshold.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average is 15%. But again, that number varies wildly based on the inheritance, and the country.

Planning for the future

Australia may not have an inheritance tax, but the distribution of wealth after someone’s passing can still have a significant impact on the beneficiaries. This includes tax implications from additional income as well as capital gains from the sale of assets.

In some instances, superannuation inheritances may also be taxed. While there’s no tax when super is paid to the surviving partner after their spouse has died, the rules are less clear when it comes to non-dependents, for example children over 18 who are not financially dependent on the deceased. In these scenarios at least some of the super death benefit may be taxed.

Where to start?

None of this is particularly clear cut or easy, which is why it’s best to seek professional advice when it comes to inheritances. A small fee up front can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long-term.