What is the inheritance or estate tax exemption?
How the answer differs across 5 jurisdictions
GermanyFull article Germany offers tax-free allowances (Freibeträge) based on relationship to the deceased, ranging from €20,000 for distant relatives to €500,000 for spouses or registered partners.
South KoreaFull article In South Korea, the inheritance tax exemption limit is ₩500 million per heir for direct descendants and ₩100 million for other heirs, with additional exemptions for small estates and certain assets.
JapanFull article In Japan, the basic exemption for inheritance tax is ¥30 million plus ¥6 million per statutory heir.
The current inheritance tax (IHT) threshold in the UK is £325,000 for an individual, known as the 'nil-rate band', and remains frozen until at least April 2028.
US FederalFull article In 2024, you can leave up to $13.61 million to your heirs free of federal estate tax; married couples can shield up to $27.22 million.
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GermanyWhat are the inheritance tax exemptions in Germany?South KoreaWhat is the inheritance tax exemption limit?JapanBasic exemption for inheritance tax?
UKWhat is the current inheritance tax threshold?US FederalHow much can I leave to my heirs without paying federal estate tax?Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.