On October 14, 2016, Governor Chris Christie signed into law legislation which raises the New Jersey
estate tax exemption to $2,000,000 in 2017 (up from $675,000) and eliminates it entirely in 2018. Until January 1, 2018, the New Jersey estate tax will continue to be applied based on a graduated rate table which begins at 4% for estates of $675,000 or more and increases to 16% for estates in excess of $10,100,000. While the New Jersey
estate tax exemption is going away, the New Jersey inheritance tax will remain. The New Jersey inheritance tax only applies to transfers to other relatives and friends, and does not apply to transfers at death to parents, spouse, children and other descendants and charity. So ends New Jersey's reign as the state with the highest estate tax among those states which continue to impose an estate tax.
