TAX EXPENDITURE FOR EXCLUSION OF CAPITAL GAINS AT DEATH

Under the baseline tax system used by Treasury’s Office of Tax Analysis (OTA) to determine 

tax expenditures, unrealized capital gains would be taxed when assets are transferred at death. A 

decedent’s final income tax return would include unrealized capital gains from all assets held at 

death. 

Under current law, however, unrealized capital gains on assets held at the owner’s death are not 

subject to income tax. In addition, the cost basis of the decedent’s assets transferred to 

beneficiaries is assigned the fair market value (FMV) of the assets at the owner’s date of death, 

not the basis of the decedent. This step up in basis removes unrealized capital gains on assets 

held until death from the base of the income tax. Exempting unrealized capital gains on assets 

held at death is a tax expenditure.

Ideally, tax return data is used to estimate a tax expenditure. But only a small amount of tax data 

is available for determining the amount of unrealized capital gains held by decedents. The IRS 

receives estate tax returns for less than 1 percent of decedents, and these returns do not represent 

a statistical sample that can be used to provide estimates for the whole decedent population. 

Fortunately, more useful data is available from a different statistical sample. 

Tax expenditure estimate based on SCF data 

 

The tax expenditure estimate is calculated by combining information of untaxed capital gains 

held by families at various ages from the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finance 

(SCF) with mortality data by age from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC). Synthetic decedents are imputed assets based on the portfolios held by (living) families 

of approximately the same age. The tax expenditure is then calculated using information on the 

unrealized gains in these (imputed) asset portfolios. 

The SCF is a triennial survey of the financial and demographic characteristics of U.S. families. 

The results of the survey are weighted to provide an overall estimate of the financial 

characteristics of U.S. families. The SCF data used in the following discussion is from the 2010 

SCF.1

 

The SCF contains data on aggregate unrealized capital gains held by families, divided into 

several age cohorts based on the age of the head of the family. Unrealized capital gains in these 

cohorts are divided into three sources – real estate, business, and financial. This analysis will 

first concentrate on families led by people aged 75 or older. 

1 The SCF data used in this article came from an online SCF article - 

http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/bulletin/2012/pdf/scf12.pdf . 

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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The CDC reported that the number of U.S. deaths among people 75 or older was 1.391 million in 

2010. About one third of those 1.391 million were married. The SCF showed the average net 

worth per family led by someone 75 or older was $677,800. After adjusting average net worth 

for the married decedents, combining the CDC and SCF data suggests the total net worth of the 

1.391 million decedents was roughly $800 billion. 

The SCF data shows that for families led by those 75 or older, unrealized real estate capital gains 

accounted for 23.8 percent of net worth. The SCF divides real estate holdings into three 

categories – primary residence (73 percent of real estate assets), other residential property (17 

percent), and nonresidential property (10 percent). This information suggests that unrealized 

capital gains on primary residences were 17.3 percent of net worth ($135 billion), and unrealized 

capital gains on the other two real estate categories were 6.5 percent of net worth ($50 billion). 

The SCF also showed that unrealized capital gains on business and financial assets for families 

led by people 75 or older were 8.6 percent of net worth ($70 billion). 

Up to $500,000 of capital gains from the sale of most primary residences is exempt from income 

tax for all taxpayers under tax rules unrelated to the step-up in basis at death. Thus, most of the 

$135 billion of unrealized capital gains on primary residences would be exempt from tax even if 

death was considered a realization event.2

 As a result, the unrealized capital gains on the assets 

of decedents 75 or older that would be taxed at death would be the $120 billion in capital gains 

from business, financial, and real estate investments excluding primary residences. The use of 

capital loss carryforwards would reduce the $120 billion in capital gains to $115 billion. 

The average marginal capital gains tax rate in 2010 was about 14 percent. Applying this tax rate 

to the $115 billion in unrealized capital suggests the tax expenditure for not treating death as a 

realization event for those 75 or older would be $16.1 billion for 2010. 

Performing the same analysis for the other SCF age cohorts suggests an additional 2010 tax 

expenditure of $11.1 billion for the 1.1 million U.S. decedents who were under age 75.3 Thus, 

the total expenditure for 2010 deaths is about $27.2 billion based on SCF data. 

To use the 2010 tax expenditure estimate as the basis for estimating tax expenditures annually 

through 2024 requires adjusting the 2010 data for changes such as stock market fluctuations, tax 

rate changes, and demographic changes. The stock market was essentially unchanged in 2011, 

but the S&P 500 increased 13 percent in 2012 and soared 30 percent in 2013. The maximum 

capital gains tax rate increased from 15 percent in 2010-2012 to 23.8 percent in 2013-2024.4

 

The aging of the baby boomers will increase the number of U.S. citizens in the age cohorts that 

have the highest death rates for the next couple decades.

5

 

2 The capital gains housing exclusion is estimated as a separate tax expenditure in the budget. 3 The 65-to-74 age cohort accounts for $5.0 billion of the additional $11.1 billion, the 55-to-64 cohort for $4.1 

billion, the 45-to-54 cohort for $1.8 billion, and the under 45 cohort for $0.2 billion. 4 The maximum statutory capital gains rate increased to 20 percent in 2013, but the Affordable Care Act created an 

additional 3.8-percent tax rate beginning in 2013 on investment income above threshold amounts. 5 The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the number of U.S. deaths will increase at an increasing rate until 2032.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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Combining these changes produces tax expenditure estimates that increase very slightly from 

2010 to 2011, increase somewhat more in 2012, increase very substantially in 2013, and then 

increase modestly through 2024 (assuming a constant increase in stock market prices). 

 

Tax expenditure analysis using tax return data

Except for taxpayers who died in 2010, executors of estates of taxpayers who die with wealth 

above a threshold level have to file estate tax returns. An estate tax return lists the FMV of all of 

a decedent’s assets on the date they died.

6

 But an estate tax return contains no information about 

the tax basis of the decedent’s assets. The IRS does not need basis information because 

beneficiaries receive ‘step-up basis.’ 

The executors of some decedents who died in 2010, however, had to file a new tax return that 

listed both the tax basis and FMV of nearly all assets held by the decedent. The Economic 

Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) repealed the estate tax for one 

year – 2010. The assets of taxpayers who died in 2010, however, would not receive step-up 

basis. The assets would receive ‘modified carryover basis’ (the tax basis of inherited assets for a 

beneficiary would be the lesser of the decedent’s basis or the FMV on the date of death). The 

Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 gave 

executors of estates for decedents who died in 2010 the choice of paying the estate tax (with 

step-up basis for beneficiaries) or opting not to pay the estate tax (with modified carryover basis 

for beneficiaries). 

When an executor of a 2010 decedent’s estate opted for modified carryover basis, the executor 

had to file Form 8939.7 The information provided by the executor on this form lists both the tax 

basis of nearly all of a decedent’s assets and the FMV of the assets on the date the decedent 

died.8

 Form 8939 is unique in containing both basis and FMV for assets held by actual 

decedents.

The IRS’s Statistics of Income Division (SOI) compiled detailed data from all the 8939 forms 

filed, and not from just a sample of the returns filed, as is usual. SOI provided OTA with a 

partial data file in early 2014 that contained all 8939 forms SOI had processed as of early 2014.9 

The partial file OTA received contains compiled information for 5,505 of the 8,058 form 8939s 

that were filed (68 percent).10 A more detailed discussion of the data from the 8939 forms 

processed is included in the appendix. 

Decedents 75 or older accounted for 4,353 (79 percent) of the 8939 forms processed. These 

older decedents had a net worth of $46 billion, an average of $10.5 million, and untaxed 

6 Or the value six months later, at the executor’s choice. 7 In addition to allowing modified carryover basis for 2010 decedent assets, EGTRRA also allowed executors to 

allocate an additional $1.3 million (plus an additional $3.0 million for spouses) in basis to the decedent’s basis. 

8 A relatively small number of assets - mostly cash, 401(k) assets, and traditional IRA assets – did not have to be 

listed on Form 8939. These assets have $0 basis and were not eligible for the additional $1.3-million increase in 

basis.

9 SOI is processing the 8939 forms in order, based on the decedents’ Social Security numbers. 10 SOI expects to provide OTA with a final file that contains compiled information for all 8,058 decedents by the 

end of 2014. SOI plans to include an article on the form 8939 data in an SOI Bulletin issue, probably in 2015.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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appreciation of $18.5 billion. But 5.4 percent of this untaxed appreciation was from assets (e.g. 

primary residences, retirement assets) where the appreciation would not necessarily be taxed as 

capital gains.11 Removing the appreciation that would not be taxed as capital gains leaves $17.5 

billion in untaxed capital gains (38 percent of net worth) from the estates of decedents 75 or 

older. 

Assuming the ages and estates of decedents for whom the 8939 forms have not yet been 

processed are similar to those for whom the 8939 forms have been processed suggests (1) a form 

8939 was filed for 6,359 decedents 75 or older, and (2) untaxed capital gains accounted for 38 

percent of net worth.

12

Using the form 8939 data in the tax expenditure estimate

The 6,359 decedents 75 or older for whom form 8939 was filed represent only a tiny fraction 

(0.5 percent) of all 1.391 million decedents 75 or older, and form 8939 filers represents an even 

smaller share of decedents below age 75. Thus, this data is only of limited general use in 

updating the tax expenditure for the step-up in basis at death. The form 8939 data, however, can 

help inform the part of the tax expenditure that applies to very high net-worth decedents, because 

the 8939 data is a good sample of such taxpayers. In the form 8939 data, the average estate had a 

value of $10.4 million, nearly 70 percent of estates had a net worth of at least $2.5 million, and 

nearly 25 percent had a net worth of at least 10 million. 

The form 8939 data suggests that very high net worth decedents had a slightly larger share of 

their estate in untaxed capital gains than is indicated by the SCF data. Untaxed capital gains 

(excluding gains from primary residences) accounted for 38 percent of the net worth of the 8939 

decedents, whereas untaxed capital gains (excluding gains from primary residences) accounted 

11 As mentioned earlier, up to $500,000 of capital gains on the sale of most primary residences is exempt from tax. 

When a beneficiary withdraws money from a retirement asset such as a traditional 401(k) or IRA account, the 

money is taxed as ordinary income because the money was contributed tax free. 12 In addition to the 8939 forms for 2010 decedents, the IRS received 7,391 estate tax returns for 2010 decedents. 

Of these returns, 352 (5 percent) had an estate tax liability; the estate tax liability was $0.2 billion. For comparison, 

the IRS received 27,349 estate tax returns for 2011 decedents; these returns had an estate tax liability of $11.2 

billion. Of the 7,391 decedents who died in 2010 for whom an estate tax form was filed, 5,170 (70 percent) were 75 

or older. These 5,170 decedents had a net worth of $25 billion, an average of $4.8 million. The basis of their assets 

is unknown. 

 Only 2,832 of these returns had a total gross estate greater than the $5-million estate tax exclusion amount. Some 

executors may have filed estate tax returns for married decedents with gross estates less than $5 million to establish 

the amount of the estate tax exemption used for the decedent Any unused estate tax exemption amount is ‘portable’ 

and is added to the estate tax exemption amount for the decedent’s spouse.

 Over 500 estate tax returns filed for 2010 decedents reported a total gross estate greater than $20 million. Only 

48 of these returns had an estate tax liability mostly because executors were able to apply the unlimited marital 

exemption for bequests to spouses. (Under the estate tax, step-up basis applies to all assets, even if there is no estate 

tax liability because of the unlimited marital deduction.)

 Because executors were able to select which form to file for 2010 decedents, the data from the 8939 forms is not 

a perfect sample. Executors may have tended to file form 8939 for estates with certain financial characteristics and 

may have tended to file the estate tax form for estates with other financial characteristics. So the data from the 8939 

forms may not be completely representative of all wealthy decedents. Nonetheless, the 8939 data does provide a 

unique view of the basis and FMV of most assets in the estates of many wealthy 2010 decedents. 

. 

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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for 31 percent of the top 6,359 net worth SCF decedents. This suggests the SCF data may 

slightly underestimate the percentage of unrealized capital gains for the largest estates among 

decedents age 75 or older. Thus, based on the 8939 data, the SCF-based tax expenditure for 

decedents age 75 or older was increased very slightly.

Final tax expenditure estimates

Combining the SCF estimates for decedents 74 or younger with the tax return-adjusted estimates 

for decedents 75 or older gives the following tax expenditure series:

2013 – $44.800 billion (FY15 Budget tax expenditure was $23.050 billion)13

2014 – $60.370 billion ($30.780 billion) 

2015 – $63.440 billion ($32.370 billion) 

2016 – $66.670 billion ($34.010 billion) 

2017 – $70.070 billion ($35.750 billion) 

2018 – $73.630 billion ($37.600 billion) 

2019 – $77.380 billion ($39.580 billion) 

2020 – $81.320 billion

2021 – $85.460 billion

2022 – $89.810 billion

2023 – $94.380 billion

2024 – $99.180 billion

APPENDIX 

As mentioned earlier, the 8939 data is unique because it contains both basis and FMV for a 

decedent’s assets. Because this data is available nowhere else, this appendix will examine the 

8939 data more closely.

 

Overall, the combined tax basis of assets was $35.7 billion for the 5,505 decedents for whom we 

have data from form 8939. (See Table 1.) The FMV of these assets was $58.7 billion, $23.0 

billion (65 percent) higher than the basis. (See Charts 1 and 2.) 

The FMV for all assets owned by decedents is not known from form 8939 because executors 

were not required to list assets such as cash, 401(k)’s and IRAs. For the assets listed on the 8939 

forms, 32 percent of the decedents had a net worth (excluding most cash and retirement assets)

under $2.5 million, 18 percent had a net worth between $2.5 million and $5 million, 26 percent 

had a net worth between $5 million and $10 million, 14 percent had a net worth between $10 

million and $20 million, and 10 percent had a net worth over $20 million. (See Table 2.) 

Three asset classes – ‘Other stock,’ ‘Closely-held stock’ and ‘Other real estate’ – accounted for 

52 percent of the total FMV of assets, but they accounted for 74 percent of the appreciation of all 

assets. The total FMV of ‘Closely-held stock’ was 354 percent higher than its basis, ‘Other real 

13 The FY15 Budget tax expenditure was based on data from estate tax returns, not on the SCF sample. Nearly all of 

the differences between the current estimates and those in FY15 Budget are caused by that change in the data. The 

new form 8939 data had only a very small effect on the FY15 estimates. 

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U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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estate’ was 97 percent higher, and ‘Other stock’ was 93 percent higher. ‘State and local (S&L) 

bonds’ accounted for 14% of the total FMV of assets but only accounted for 1 percent of the 

appreciation of all assets.

For most asset classes, the FMV was between 50 percent and 100 percent higher than the basis. 

The asset classes for which the FMV exceeded basis by the greatest percentage were 

‘Depletable/intangibles’ (636 percent),14 ‘Closely held stock’ (354 percent), and ‘Art’ (241 

percent). The asset classes for which the FMV exceeded basis by the lowest percentage were 

‘Mortgages and notes’ (-4 percent),15 ‘Federal bonds’ (1 percent), and ‘S&L bonds’ (4 percent). 

Because the main attraction of bonds is a regular payment of interest with a return of principal, 

not price appreciation, it is not surprising that the different types of bonds were among the assets 

with the smallest appreciation. 

On average, assets owned by decedents with over $20 million in FMV appreciated 78 percent, 

but assets owned by decedents with less than $20 million in FMV only appreciated 51 percent. 

Much of the reason for the difference in appreciation is that stocks appreciated much more for 

those with over $20 million in FMV than they appreciated for all others. Stocks appreciated by 

196 percent for decedents with more than $20 million in FMV but only appreciated by 81 

percent for decedents with less than $20 million in FMV.

Age 

Not surprising, most 8939 forms filed were for elderly decedents. Decedents 75 or older 

accounted for 79 percent of the forms filed and 78 percent of the FMV of assets of all decedents. 

(See Table 3.) The FMV of their assets exceeded basis by 60 percent, which is a little less than 

the 65 percent appreciation for assets held by those under age 75. The elderly decedents held a 

larger portion of their assets in bonds (20 percent) than decedents under age 75 (15 percent). The 

low appreciation in bonds helps explain why elderly decedents had a slightly lower appreciation 

in asset value than younger decedents. 

Gender

Returns for male decedents accounted for 53 percent of the returns filed and 59 percent of the 

FMV for assets listed on these returns. (See Table 4.) Average appreciation for assets held by 

male decedents was 71 percent; average appreciation was 57 percent for female decedents. 

For male decedents, ‘Closely held stock’ accounted for 5 percent of total basis but 16 percent of 

total FMV. For males, ‘Closely held stock’ appreciated by 480 percent. For female decedents, 

14 A ‘Depletable/intangible’ is generally an asset where the tax basis of the asset is somewhat less than the purchase 

price. A taxpayer can take part of the value of the asset as a tax deduction. Taking the tax deduction also reduces 

the basis of the asset by the amount of the deduction. Thus, unlike most asset classes, which have a tax basis that 

generally does not change much, ‘depletable/intangible’ assets can have a significant basis reduction over time. 

Thus, most of the large difference between basis and FMV for these assets is not from an increase in the value of the 

assets, but rather, by a reduction in their basis. 

15 The sharp drop in housing prices in the late 2000’s pushed the value of some houses below the value of the 

mortgages on the houses. Thus, some owners of mortgages may have seen a significant drop in the value of the 

mortgages they own.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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‘Closely held stock’ accounted for 4 percent of total basis and 8 percent of total FMV. For 

females, ‘Closely held stock’ appreciated by 176 percent. 

Marital status

Widowed decedents accounted for 47 percent of the 8939 returns filed (38 percent of FMV), 

married for 39 percent (51 percent), and other for 14 percent (11 percent). (See Table 5.) 

Average appreciation was 63 percent for widowed, 69 percent for married, and 51 percent for 

other. 

Holding period 

Assets purchased before 1991 accounted for 20 percent of the FMV of total assets, assets 

purchased between 1991 and 2000 accounted for 11 percent, and assets purchased after 2000 

accounted for 30 percent. The purchase date could not be determined for 39 percent of the 

assets. (See Table 6.)

FMV exceeded basis by 391 percent for assets purchased before 1991, 78 percent for assets 

purchased between 1991 and 2000, 13 percent for assets purchased after 2000, and 62 percent for 

assets with an unknown purchase date. 

For ‘Other stock,’ appreciation was 569 percent for stock purchased before 1991, 148 percent for 

stock purchased between 1991 and 2000, and 23 percent for stock purchased after 2000. The 

story is similar for ‘Closely held stock’ – 732 percent appreciation for stock purchased before 

1991, 79 percent for stock purchased between 1991 and 2000, and 51 percent appreciation for 

stock purchased after 2000. 

The story is very different for state and local bonds – 24 percent appreciation for bonds 

purchased before 1991, 5 percent for bonds purchased between 1991 and 2000, and 3 percent 

appreciation for bonds purchased after 2000. 

Comparison with other years of death

 

The data from the 8939 returns can be compared with the data from estate tax returns from 

surrounding years to see if asset holdings for returns from different years are similar. 

The data show that the asset holdings across years are quite similar. (See Table 7.) As 

mentioned earlier, executors were not supposed to include cash and most retirement assets on the 

8939 forms, but some did. As a result, cash and retirement assets together comprise a much 

lower percentage of total assets for 2010 decedents (3 percent) than for 2009 decedents (17 

percent) or 2011 decedents (14 percent). 

When cash and retirement assets are eliminated, the asset holdings across years look even more 

similar. Publicly traded stock accounted for somewhat more of total assets in 2010 (28 percent) 

and 2011 (30 percent) than in 2009 (21 percent), probably because of the 23-percent increase in 

the S&P 500 in 2009 and the 12-percent increase in 2010. 

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U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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Closely-held stock, other limited partnerships, and other non-corporate business assets accounted 

for a greater percent of total assets in 2010 than in 2009 or 2011. The FMV of these assets may 

be difficult to determine precisely because their shares may not be traded on an organized 

exchange. Part of the reason they accounted for more of total assets in 2010 may be that the 

incentive for executors to take aggressive tax positions for 2010 decedents differed from the 

incentive for 2009 and 2011 decedents. For 2009 and 2011 decedents, FMV was used as the tax 

base for the estate tax, so executors would have had an incentive to declare a low FMV for assets 

that are difficult to value. With carryover basis for 2010 decedents, the FMV listed on the 8939 

form generally did not matter much. 

 

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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Number of Percent of Basis Percent Fair Market Percent Amount Percent of

Asset Class decedents holding decedents holding of of total Value of of total of Percent total

given asset class given asset class asset basis asset (FMV) FMV appreciation appreciation appreciation

($ millions) ($ millions) ($ millions)

1 ALL 5,505 100% 35,685 100% 58,705 100% 23,020 65% 100%

2 Other stock 4,332 79% 8,237 23% 15,857 27% 7,620 93% 33%

3 Closely-held stock 888 16% 1,633 5% 7,410 13% 5,777 354% 25%

4 State and local bonds 2,982 54% 8,019 22% 8,362 14% 343 4% 1%

5 Cash 1,272 23% 1,095 3% 1,161 2% 66 6% 0%

6 Partnerships 1,360 25% 2,592 7% 4,247 7% 1,655 64% 7%

7 Retirement assets 463 8% 200 1% 430 1% 230 115% 1%

8 Federal bonds 1,210 22% 1,407 4% 1,424 2% 17 1% 0%

9 Residences 3,006 55% 1,752 5% 2,736 5% 983 56% 4%

10 Insurance 239 4% 62 0% 94 0% 32 52% 0%

11 Farm assets 479 9% 439 1% 1,146 2% 706 161% 3%

12 Other real estate 3,621 66% 3,816 11% 7,506 13% 3,691 97% 16%

13 Mortgages and notes 747 14% 1,645 5% 1,578 3% -68 -4% 0%

14 Other bonds 2,006 36% 1,149 3% 1,217 2% 68 6% 0%

15 Depletable/intangible 379 7% 62 0% 459 1% 397 636% 2%

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 1,487 27% 1,228 3% 1,351 2% 123 10% 1%

17 Art 507 9% 221 1% 755 1% 534 241% 2%

18 Other non-corporate businesses 842 15% 1,386 4% 2,018 3% 632 46% 3%

19 All other 2,903 53% 742 2% 955 2% 213 29% 1%

TABLE 1 - FORM 8939 DATA

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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Asset Class

Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m)

1 ALL 1,752 1,008 1,725 974 2,553 3,669 1,450 6,750 10,131 787 7,062 10,669 542 18,312 32,512

2 Other stock 1,062 260 454 815 659 1,051 1,279 1,871 3,232 700 1,749 3,224 476 3,697 7,896

3 Closely-held stock 99 27 37 141 77 151 257 212 463 210 296 688 181 1,020 6,070

4 State and local bonds 484 144 156 630 627 650 958 1,634 1,690 546 1,723 1,779 364 3,891 4,088

5 Cash 239 40 43 200 71 82 420 307 326 249 238 241 164 439 470

6 Partnerships 173 26 40 227 100 150 412 280 427 304 346 559 244 1,840 3,071

7 Retirement assets 101 17 28 63 17 29 147 52 138 89 54 106 63 60 130

8 Federal bonds 213 23 26 238 72 75 370 192 198 222 186 192 167 934 934

9 Residences 832 145 287 524 223 358 805 431 638 476 379 579 369 574 873

10 Insurance 40 2 5 36 9 11 75 12 16 55 23 33 33 17 30

11 Farm assets 118 20 80 64 31 92 154 84 289 79 98 256 64 206 428

12 Other real estate 888 161 388 642 315 596 1,031 696 1,448 617 799 1,549 443 1,845 3,525

13 Mortgages and notes 68 20 20 112 67 67 230 230 244 177 301 285 160 1,026 962

14 Other bonds 400 48 51 390 112 117 630 282 306 349 218 226 237 488 517

15 Depletable/intangible 62 1 12 53 1 17 120 18 76 80 8 56 64 34 299

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 271 29 32 287 76 90 425 183 207 290 201 217 214 739 805

17 Art 52 1 6 74 4 15 140 18 47 112 33 67 129 165 621

18 Other non-corporate businesses 81 10 21 112 44 57 245 104 217 223 230 380 181 998 1,343

19 All other 528 32 39 518 47 61 880 144 171 552 179 233 425 339 450

Asset Class

< $2.5 m $2.5-$5 m $5-$10 m $10-$20 m > $20 m < $2.5 m $2.5-$5 m $5-$10 m $10-$20 m > $20 m < $2.5 m $2.5-$5 m $5-$10 m $10-$20 m > $20 m

1 ALL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 71% 44% 50% 51% 78%

2 Other stock 26% 29% 32% 30% 24% 27% 35% 40% 41% 30% 74% 59% 73% 84% 114%

3 Closely-held stock 2% 4% 5% 6% 19% 1% 7% 7% 11% 36% 38% 96% 118% 133% 495%

4 State and local bonds 9% 18% 17% 17% 13% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 8% 4% 3% 3% 5%

5 Cash 3% 2% 3% 2% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 7% 15% 6% 1% 7%

6 Partnerships 2% 4% 4% 5% 9% 2% 4% 4% 6% 9% 55% 50% 52% 62% 67%

7 Retirement assets 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 1% 0% 61% 69% 164% 98% 116%

8 Federal bonds 1% 2% 2% 2% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 11% 5% 3% 3% 0%

9 Residences 17% 10% 6% 5% 3% 20% 12% 6% 6% 2% 99% 60% 48% 53% 52%

10 Insurance 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 111% 29% 32% 44% 79%

11 Farm assets 5% 3% 3% 2% 1% 8% 6% 6% 4% 2% 294% 201% 244% 161% 108%

12 Other real estate 23% 16% 14% 15% 11% 32% 25% 22% 21% 12% 141% 89% 108% 94% 91%

13 Mortgages and notes 1% 2% 2% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 6% -5% -6%

14 Other bonds 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 5% 4% 8% 4% 6%

15 Depletable/intangible 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1114% 1233% 313% 579% 791%

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 10% 19% 13% 8% 9%

17 Art 0% 0% 0% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3% 299% 255% 164% 105% 276%

18 Other non-corporate businesses 1% 2% 2% 4% 4% 2% 1% 3% 4% 2% 119% 30% 108% 65% 35%

19 All other 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 20% 32% 19% 30% 33%

Net worth Net worth Net worth

Distribution of assets (FMV) Distribution of appreciation Percent appreciation

TABLE 2 - FORM 8939 DATA, NET WORTH

Net Worth

Less than $2.5 million $2.5-$5 million $5-$10 million $10-$20 milllion More than $20 million

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U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

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Asset Class

Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Bas ($m) FMV ($m)

1 ALL 131 837 1,233 303 1,939 3,743 718 5,550 7,860 1,579 10,131 18,416 2,190 14,094 22,342 584 3,134 5,112

2 Other stock 89 196 279 220 366 614 543 1,063 1,799 1,247 2,375 4,295 1,744 3,372 6,955 489 865 1,915

3 Closely-held stock 39 34 211 86 149 1,206 167 452 696 276 532 3,967 260 413 1,179 60 53 152

4 State and local bonds 46 99 99 132 285 308 349 877 916 833 2,097 2,181 1,271 3,666 3,820 351 996 1,037

5 Cash 34 23 27 73 53 53 158 155 166 362 306 315 533 450 484 112 108 116

6 Partnerships 39 69 93 72 71 132 185 653 868 430 768 1,290 509 881 1,580 125 149 284

7 Retirement assets 18 7 8 38 13 24 91 37 79 147 70 152 146 63 152 23 10 15

8 Federal bonds 20 12 12 54 38 39 135 112 113 340 247 257 518 861 860 143 138 143

9 Residences 80 80 89 196 184 211 452 357 485 942 492 767 1,069 523 909 267 114 274

10 Insurance 7 4 10 16 8 14 46 15 25 69 19 23 80 14 19 21 2 2

11 Farm assets 14 27 43 36 32 67 65 57 110 145 127 329 182 178 513 37 18 84

12 Other real estate 90 126 130 232 366 583 549 729 1,310 1,127 1,151 2,337 1,329 1,253 2,719 294 190 428

13 Mortgages and notes 14 8 8 36 69 68 108 234 238 225 577 533 293 563 535 71 195 196

14 Other bonds 33 26 26 94 45 46 246 133 137 576 324 349 823 509 532 234 113 126

15 Depletable/intangible 6 0 3 20 8 28 46 3 11 115 16 85 149 33 304 43 1 28

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 36 36 39 95 40 54 218 259 291 432 428 441 565 386 437 141 79 89

17 Art 9 13 56 20 13 15 72 52 142 129 47 189 212 68 245 65 27 108

18 Other non-corporate businesses 40 47 67 86 110 191 154 204 261 271 357 673 236 643 785 55 24 40

19 All other 74 28 31 186 90 90 423 160 212 855 197 231 1,089 219 312 276 49 77

Asset Class

< 55 55-64 65-74 75-84 85-94 > 94 < 55 55-64 65-74 75-84 85-94 > 94 < 55 55-64 65-74 75-84 85-94 > 94

1 ALL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 47% 93% 42% 82% 59% 63%

2 Other stock 23% 16% 23% 23% 31% 37% 21% 14% 32% 23% 43% 53% 42% 68% 69% 81% 106% 121%

3 Closely-held stock 17% 32% 9% 22% 5% 3% 45% 59% 11% 41% 9% 5% 522% 708% 54% 646% 186% 185%

4 State and local bonds 8% 8% 12% 12% 17% 20% 0% 1% 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 8% 5% 4% 4% 4%

5 Cash 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 19% 0% 7% 3% 8% 7%

6 Partnerships 8% 4% 11% 7% 7% 6% 6% 3% 9% 6% 8% 7% 34% 85% 33% 68% 79% 90%

7 Retirement assets 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 2% 1% 1% 0% 15% 83% 116% 118% 142% 40%

8 Federal bonds 1% 1% 1% 1% 4% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 2% 1% 4% 0% 4%

9 Residences 7% 6% 6% 4% 4% 5% 2% 1% 6% 3% 5% 8% 11% 14% 36% 56% 74% 139%

10 Insurance 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 157% 86% 65% 20% 33% 53%

11 Farm assets 3% 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 4% 2% 2% 2% 4% 3% 57% 108% 92% 159% 188% 375%

12 Other real estate 11% 16% 17% 13% 12% 8% 1% 12% 25% 14% 18% 12% 3% 59% 80% 103% 117% 125%

13 Mortgages and notes 1% 2% 3% 3% 2% 4% 0% 0% 0% -1% 0% 0% 1% -1% 2% -8% -5% 0%

14 Other bonds 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 2% 4% 3% 7% 5% 12%

15 Depletable/intangible 0% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 3% 1% 1151% 235% 245% 428% 822% 1897%

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 3% 1% 4% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 7% 35% 12% 3% 13% 12%

17 Art 5% 0% 2% 1% 1% 2% 11% 0% 4% 2% 2% 4% 320% 19% 173% 300% 258% 292%

18 Other non-corporate businesses 5% 5% 3% 4% 4% 1% 5% 5% 2% 4% 2% 1% 41% 74% 28% 89% 22% 63%

19 All other 3% 2% 3% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 3% 1% 1% 2% 11% 1% 33% 18% 43% 57%

TABLE 3 - FORM 8939 DATA, AGE

Percent appreciation

Age Age Age

Less than 55 55-64 65-74 75-84 85-94

Distribution of assets (FMV) Distribution of appreciation

Greater than 94

Age

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

11
Asset Class

Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m)

1 ALL 2,578 15,336 24,002 2,927 20,349 34,703

2 Other stock 2,034 3,789 7,393 2,298 4,448 8,464

3 Closely-held stock 272 676 1,864 616 957 5,546

4 State and local bonds 1,459 3,644 3,808 1,523 4,375 4,554

5 Cash 604 516 532 668 580 629

6 Partnerships 541 1,372 2,102 819 1,220 2,145

7 Retirement assets 181 60 155 282 141 275

8 Federal bonds 589 414 420 621 992 1,004

9 Residences 1,397 801 1,294 1,609 951 1,441

10 Insurance 75 13 16 164 49 78

11 Farm assets 179 141 413 300 299 732

12 Other real estate 1,609 1,460 2,671 2,012 2,356 4,836

13 Mortgages and notes 316 647 651 431 999 927

14 Other bonds 978 554 593 1,028 595 624

15 Depletable/intangible 171 35 357 208 27 102

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 672 449 485 815 779 867

17 Art 249 104 297 258 117 458

18 Other non-corporate businesses 282 378 558 560 1,008 1,460

19 All other 1,336 284 394 1,567 458 560

Asset Class

Female Male Female Male Female Male

1 ALL 100% 100% 100% 100% 57% 71%

2 Other stock 31% 24% 42% 42% 95% 90%

3 Closely-held stock 8% 16% 14% 14% 176% 480%

4 State and local bonds 16% 13% 2% 2% 5% 4%

5 Cash 2% 2% 0% 0% 3% 9%

6 Partnerships 9% 6% 8% 8% 53% 76%

7 Retirement assets 1% 1% 1% 1% 159% 96%

8 Federal bonds 2% 3% 0% 0% 1% 1%

9 Residences 5% 4% 6% 6% 62% 52%

10 Insurance 0% 0% 0% 0% 28% 58%

11 Farm assets 2% 2% 3% 3% 194% 145%

12 Other real estate 11% 14% 14% 14% 83% 105%

13 Mortgages and notes 3% 3% 0% 0% 1% -7%

14 Other bonds 2% 2% 0% 0% 7% 5%

15 Depletable/intangible 1% 0% 4% 4% 919% 274%

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 2% 2% 0% 0% 8% 11%

17 Art 1% 1% 2% 2% 184% 292%

18 Other non-corporate businesses 2% 4% 2% 2% 48% 45%

19 All other 2% 2% 1% 1% 39% 22%

TABLE 4 - FORM 8939 DATA, GENDER

Gender

Female Male

Gender

Gender

Distribution of assets (FMV)

Gender

Distribution of appreciaiton Percent appreciation

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

12
Asset Class

Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m)

1 ALL 2,156 17,573 29,733 2,564 13,850 22,547 785 4,262 6,426

2 Other stock 1,729 3,800 7,353 2,036 3,445 6,660 567 992 1,844

3 Closely-held stock 469 812 3,674 288 582 3,257 131 239 479

4 State and local bonds 1,168 3,708 3,870 1,466 3,140 3,266 348 1,170 1,225

5 Cash 542 536 567 563 442 462 167 118 132

6 Partnerships 682 1,423 2,673 525 1,012 1,349 153 156 226

7 Retirement assets 224 108 225 166 68 167 73 24 39

8 Federal bonds 478 409 418 589 913 917 143 85 89

9 Residences 1,276 821 1,292 1,301 686 1,076 429 245 367

10 Insurance 126 35 56 80 17 23 33 10 15

11 Farm assets 223 211 508 196 183 480 60 45 157

12 Other real estate 1,553 2,115 4,354 1,559 1,207 2,172 509 494 981

13 Mortgages and notes 337 845 820 329 701 679 81 98 79

14 Other bonds 764 489 514 975 520 554 267 139 149

15 Depletable/intangible 163 47 348 161 13 72 55 3 39

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 631 730 780 657 378 447 199 121 124

17 Art 175 128 405 258 77 308 74 17 42

18 Other non-corporate businesses 463 996 1,406 264 221 342 115 169 269

19 All other 1,188 361 469 1,304 244 316 411 136 169

Asset Class

Married Widowed Other Married Widowed Other Married Widowed Other

1 ALL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 69% 63% 51%

2 Other stock 25% 30% 29% 29% 37% 39% 94% 93% 86%

3 Closely-held stock 12% 14% 7% 24% 31% 11% 353% 460% 100%

4 State and local bonds 13% 14% 19% 1% 1% 3% 4% 4% 5%

5 Cash 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 1% 6% 4% 13%

6 Partnerships 9% 6% 4% 10% 4% 3% 88% 33% 44%

7 Retirement assets 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 108% 144% 60%

8 Federal bonds 1% 4% 1% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 5%

9 Residences 4% 5% 6% 4% 4% 6% 57% 57% 50%

10 Insurance 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 61% 33% 54%

11 Farm assets 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% 5% 141% 162% 248%

12 Other real estate 15% 10% 15% 18% 11% 22% 106% 80% 99%

13 Mortgages and notes 3% 3% 1% 0% 0% -1% -3% -3% -20%

14 Other bonds 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 0% 5% 6% 7%

15 Depletable/intangible 1% 0% 1% 2% 1% 2% 646% 476% 1128%

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 3% 2% 2% 0% 1% 0% 7% 18% 3%

17 Art 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% 1% 217% 301% 150%

18 Other non-corporate businesses 5% 2% 4% 3% 1% 5% 41% 55% 60%

19 All other 2% 1% 3% 1% 1% 2% 30% 29% 24%

Marital status

TABLE 5 - FORM 8939 DATA, MARITAL STATUS

Percent appreciation

Marital status

Married Widowed All other

Distribution of assets (FMV) Distribution of appreciation

Marital status Marital status

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

13
Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m) Count Adj Basis ($m) FMV ($m)

1 ALL 4,219 15,630 17,607 3,312 3,545 6,319 3,488 2,437 11,959 4,183 14,074 22,820

2 Other stock 2,734 2,879 3,542 1,738 567 1,407 1,265 415 2,775 2,934 4,375 8,134

3 Closely-held stock 266 529 800 225 292 524 389 520 4,327 260 291 1,760

4 State and local bonds 2,068 3,864 3,982 809 285 299 247 38 47 1,725 3,831 4,034

5 Cash 498 269 277 92 21 24 62 16 20 875 789 840

6 Partnerships 779 1,057 1,368 355 622 1,085 217 105 322 471 808 1,472

7 Retirement assets 124 64 122 47 7 18 44 6 13 299 122 277

8 Federal bonds 793 1,003 1,006 108 13 16 56 3 3 481 388 398

9 Residences 709 705 693 639 419 605 1,368 424 1,109 332 203 329

10 Insurance 47 21 34 21 7 7 79 9 13 126 25 40

11 Farm assets 146 151 230 133 69 161 192 86 351 218 133 404

12 Other real estate 1,842 1,827 2,181 1,179 694 1,425 1,639 607 2,339 1,084 688 1,561

13 Mortgages and notes 499 891 873 80 134 111 24 10 17 274 609 577

14 Other bonds 1,433 698 724 194 23 25 65 7 8 883 421 459

15 Depletable/intangible 89 10 17 60 4 17 109 5 57 200 44 368

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 920 705 775 170 91 92 59 27 23 672 405 462

17 Art 83 44 102 85 34 78 100 13 99 375 130 476

18 Other non-corporate businesses 455 717 689 207 201 360 166 108 365 291 359 603

19 All other 1,272 195 195 562 59 66 406 38 69 2,142 450 625

2001-2010 1991-2000 Pre-1991 Unknown 2001-2010 1991-2000 Pre-1991 Unknown 2001-2010 1991-2000 Pre-1991 Unknown

1 ALL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 13% 78% 391% 62%

2 Other stock 20% 22% 23% 36% 33% 30% 25% 43% 23% 148% 569% 86%

3 Closely-held stock 5% 8% 36% 8% 14% 8% 40% 17% 51% 79% 732% 505%

4 State and local bonds 23% 5% 0% 18% 6% 0% 0% 2% 3% 5% 24% 5%

5 Cash 2% 0% 0% 4% 0% 0% 0% 1% 3% 14% 20% 7%

6 Partnerships 8% 17% 3% 6% 16% 17% 2% 8% 29% 74% 208% 82%

7 Retirement assets 1% 0% 0% 1% 3% 0% 0% 2% 91% 153% 105% 126%

8 Federal bonds 6% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 22% 24% 3%

9 Residences 4% 10% 9% 1% -1% 7% 7% 1% -2% 44% 162% 62%

10 Insurance 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 61% 10% 50% 56%

11 Farm assets 1% 3% 3% 2% 4% 3% 3% 3% 52% 132% 310% 204%

12 Other real estate 12% 23% 20% 7% 18% 26% 18% 10% 19% 105% 286% 127%

13 Mortgages and notes 5% 2% 0% 3% -1% -1% 0% 0% -2% -17% 63% -5%

14 Other bonds 4% 0% 0% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 4% 12% 22% 9%

15 Depletable/intangible 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 1% 1% 4% 69% 396% 1004% 738%

16 Futures,commodities, hedge 4% 1% 0% 2% 4% 0% 0% 1% 10% 1% -13% 14%

17 Art 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% 2% 1% 4% 133% 126% 642% 267%

18 Other non-corporate businesses 4% 6% 3% 3% -1% 6% 3% 3% -4% 79% 237% 68%

19 All other 1% 1% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 11% 83% 39%

Distribution of assets (FMV)

Year acquired

Distribution of appreciation

Year acquired

TABLE 6 - FORM 8939 DATA, YEAR ACQUIRED

Percent appreciation

Year acquired

Asset Class 2001-2010 1991-2000 Pre-1991 Unknown

Year acquired

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

14
Asset class

2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011

deaths 1/ deaths 2/ deaths 3/ deaths 1/ deaths 2/ deaths 3/

1 Personal residence 6% 5% 5% 8% 5% 6%

2 Other real estate 11% 10% 8% 13% 10% 10%

3 Real estate partnerships 3% 3% 4% 4% 3% 4%

4 Closely held stock 9% 13% 8% 11% 13% 9%

5 Publicly traded stock 18% 27% 26% 21% 28% 30%

6 State and local bonds 11% 14% 11% 13% 15% 13%

7 Federal savings bonds 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

8 Other federal bonds 2% 2% 1% 3% 2% 2%

9 Corporate and foreign bonds 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%

10 Bond funds 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

11 Unclassifiable mutual funds 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

12 Cash assets 12% 2% 9%

13 Insurance, face value 2% 0% 2% 2% 0% 2%

14 Insurance, policy loans 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

15 Farm assets 4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 4%

16 Private equity and hedge funds 1% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2%

17 Other limited partnerships 4% 7% 3% 5% 7% 4%

18 Other noncorporate business assets 2% 3% 2% 2% 4% 3%

19 Mortgages and notes 4% 3% 3% 5% 3% 4%

20 Retirement assets 5% 1% 5%

21 Depletables/intangibles 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

22 Art 1% 1% 2% 2% 1% 3%

23 Other assets 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 2%

 TOTAL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

1/ Based on estate tax returns filed in 2010, most of which were 2009 deaths.

2/ Based on actual 2010 deaths.

3/ Based on estate tax returns filed in 2012, most of which were 2011 deaths.

TABLE 7 - COMPOSITION OF NET WORTH

Listed assets, excluding 

All listed assets cash and retirement

Office of Tax Analysis 

U.S. Department of the Treasury 

August 2014

15