{"id":19473,"date":"2025-09-11T03:26:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/collier-law.com\/?p=19473"},"modified":"2025-09-11T03:29:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:29:53","slug":"should-i-move-to-washington-state-an-estate-tax-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collier-law.com\/es\/blog\/should-i-move-to-washington-state-an-estate-tax-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Move to Washington State: An Estate Tax Question?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por Ryan W. Collier<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Oregon\u2019s refusal to update its estate tax exemption, while other states adapt to modern financial realities\u2014is a growing source of frustration, particularly for women over 50, managing finances for their families and futures. Despite skyrocketing home prices, rising investments, and national recognition of the financial challenges faced by women in retirement, Oregon legislators have failed for a quarter-century to deliver meaningful reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For expertise in Estate Law, contact Collier Law, your Firma local de planificaci\u00f3n patrimonial en Salem OR<\/a>\u00a1Hoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Decades-Old Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oregon\u2019s estate tax exemption has been stuck at $1 million since 2002\u2014unindexed for inflation, unchanged regardless of home and asset values,\u00a0and notably lower than neighboring states. Even as the median home price\u00a0In Oregon, the exemption has more than doubled, and stock values have soared.\u00a0has flatlined, leaving more and more ordinary families caught needing to file estate tax returns and pay taxes simply for owning a modest home, and\u00a0savings. For women, particularly those navigating widowhood, caring for\u00a0aging parents, or supporting adult children, this threshold feels like a\u00a0penalty for good stewardship and hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failed Legislative Action<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Each year, bills are introduced that sound promising\u2014raising the exemption\u00a0thresholds to match the federal limit, indexing for inflation, or adding\u00a0spousal portability. In 2025, Oregon lawmakers considered HB 2058 and SB405, which would have bumped the exemption to nearly $14 million,\u00a0matching the federal level. The legislature also considered HB 2301, which\u00a0would have raised the estate tax threshold to $7 million and lowered the tax rate to 7% for Oregonians.\u00a0 Yet, once again, leadership allowed these bills to linger in committee, never advancing to a vote. The result? For 25 years and counting, Oregon remains locked in at a $1 million exemption at a tax rate\u00a0starting at 10% rising to 16% for estates over $9.5 million\u2014This\u00a0exemption is far below Washington\u2019s $3 million (indexed to CPI starting this year) or the $13.99 million federal exemption (2025). The federal\u00a0exemption increases to $15 million at the end of this year (2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are You Looking For Professionals Services Of a Local Estate Planning Firm?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contact Collier Law today for trusted guidance and personalized estate planning solutions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contacte con nosotros<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Cost for Oregon Women<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This persistent inaction means thousands of Oregon women\u2014often the ones\u00a0left to sort through estates\u2014face daunting paperwork, legal hurdles, and\u00a0surprise tax bills. Caring for a spouse or adult children, making lifetime\u00a0gifts, or passing a family home, risks triggering state estate taxes, unlike\u00a0most other states in the country. Many women are forced to hire expensive\u00a0attorneys, navigate confusing rules, and worry whether the legacy they\u2019ve\u00a0Built will reach those they love. Instead of rewarding financial discipline and intergenerational support, Oregon taxes it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington State\u2019s Solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our neighbors to the north found a solution.  Washington State\u2019s estate tax exemption law underwent a notable change in 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, the exemption amount for Washington estate tax rose to $3 million per decedent. Estates valued below this threshold owe no estate tax, while estates over $3 million are taxed at progressive rates. The law also resolves a prior issue that prevented inflationary increases in the Washington exemption by indexing future increases to the federal CPI for Seattle, offering more predictability from 2026 onward. Washington\u2019s estate tax rates are also rising: estates above $3 million will see brackets ranging from 10% up to 35%, with the highest rate targeting estates over $9 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am in the unenviable position of advising my clients to move.\u00a0 Under\u00a0current law, you should not retire here, and you definitely should not die here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Call for Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For years, women\u2019s organizations, financial advisors, and retirees have\u00a0pleaded with legislators to modernize estate tax law\u2014so far, to no avail. The state\u2019s refusal to act, despite biannual sessions and dozens of proposals, is\u00a0disappointing and harmful, undermining both families\u2019 financial stability\u00a0and Oregon\u2019s economic future. Women over age 50: Oregon\u2019s Legacy\u00a0Tax is primarily hurting you and the families you care for most. It\u2019s time for the Oregon Legislature to listen\u2014raise the exemption, index it for inflation, and recognize the realities of modern life. Women in this state deserve better than 25 years of neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to this inaction, a ballot initiative was filed to end the Estate Tax in Oregon. Initiative Petition 51, the \u201cEnd the Death Tax Act,\u201d would terminate the tax on the estates of Oregonians who die after Jan. 1, 2027<\/strong>. In their July 15 filing, Petition 51 aims to place the initiative on the November 2026 ballot.  If you are interested in signing IP 51 once it is approved for circulation, you can stay informed by contacting the Oregon Secretary of State\u2019s official website. Once available for signature, you can sign the Petition at Collier Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan W. Collier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ryan<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ryan W. Collier<\/a> es un reputado abogado especializado en planificaci\u00f3n patrimonial y sucesiones con sede en Salem, Oreg\u00f3n, con licencia para ejercer tanto en Oreg\u00f3n como en Washington. Su pr\u00e1ctica se especializa en asesorar a clientes sobre planificaci\u00f3n patrimonial, administraci\u00f3n de sucesiones y fideicomisos, y responsabilidad fiduciaria, con un enfoque particular en ayudar a los clientes a minimizar los impuestos sobre el patrimonio y maximizar el valor transmitido a sus herederos. La amplia experiencia de Ryan en planificaci\u00f3n financiera le proporciona una ventaja \u00fanica a la hora de ofrecer soluciones jur\u00eddicas a medida que dan prioridad a la privacidad, la seguridad y la tranquilidad. Sus excepcionales conocimientos jur\u00eddicos le han valido la calificaci\u00f3n AV Preeminent\u2122 de Martindale-Hubbell, el m\u00e1s alto honor disponible, lo que refleja su experiencia en fideicomisos, sucesiones y derecho sucesorio. Ryan tambi\u00e9n fue reconocido por la revista Super Lawyers como un Oregon Rising Star en 2010 y 2011, un premio otorgado a menos del cinco por ciento de los abogados en el estado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

M\u00e1s all\u00e1 de su carrera jur\u00eddica, Ryan est\u00e1 profundamente involucrado en su comunidad, contribuyendo activamente a una variedad de organizaciones locales. Ha formado parte de las juntas de la Salem Leadership Foundation y la Salem Foundation, donde actualmente ocupa el cargo de presidente de la junta. El compromiso de Ryan con el servicio a la comunidad le vali\u00f3 un puesto en la lista de los \"20 mejores menores de 40 a\u00f1os\" del Statesman Journal en 2010 por sus importantes contribuciones a Salem. Tambi\u00e9n es un \u00e1vido voluntario de los Boy Scouts of America, donde ha recibido el Premio al M\u00e9rito del Distrito por su excepcional servicio a la juventud. La pasi\u00f3n de Ryan por el servicio se extiende a su papel como profesor adjunto en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Willamette y a su trabajo como mentor en el programa de la facultad de Derecho. Fuera de sus obligaciones profesionales y comunitarias, Ryan disfruta pasando tiempo de calidad con su esposa, Holly, y sus tres hijos adolescentes, apreciando la belleza natural del noroeste del Pac\u00edfico y la comunidad unida de Salem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Are You Looking For Professionals Services Of a Local Estate Planning Firm?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contact Collier Law today for trusted guidance and personalized estate planning solutions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contacte con nosotros<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Con\u00e9ctese con nosotros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tel\u00e9fono:<\/strong> 503-482-4231<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubicaci\u00f3n:<\/strong> <\/a>1020 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97302<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sociales:<\/strong> Facebook<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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