2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 83 - Estate Taxation › Chapter 83.100 - Estate and Transfer Tax Act. › 83.100.120 - Liability for failure to pay tax before distribution or delivery.

RCW 83.100.120
Liability for failure to pay tax before distribution or delivery.
(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any personal representative who distributes any property without first paying, securing another's payment of, or furnishing security for payment of the taxes due under this chapter is personally liable for the taxes due to the extent of the value of any property that may come or may have come into the possession of the personal representative. Security for payment of the taxes due under this chapter must be in an amount equal to or greater than the value of all property that is or has come into the possession of the personal representative, as of the time the security is furnished.
(b) For the estates of decedents dying prior to April 9, 2006, a personal representative is not personally liable for taxes due on the value of any property included in the gross estate and the Washington taxable estate as a result of section 2044 of the internal revenue code unless the property is located in the state of Washington or the property has or will come into the possession or control of the personal representative.
(2) Any person who has the control, custody, or possession of any property and who delivers any of the property to the personal representative or legal representative of the decedent outside Washington without first paying, securing another's payment of, or furnishing security for payment of the taxes due under this chapter is liable for the taxes due under this chapter to the extent of the value of the property delivered. Security for payment of the taxes due under this chapter must be in an amount equal to or greater than the value of all property delivered to the personal representative or legal representative of the decedent outside Washington by such a person.
(3) For the purposes of this section, persons who do not have possession of a decedent's property include anyone not responsible primarily for paying the tax due under this section or their transferees, which includes but is not limited to mortgagees or pledgees, stockbrokers or stock transfer agents, banks and other depositories of checking and savings accounts, safe-deposit companies, and life insurance companies.
(4) For the purposes of this section, any person who has the control, custody, or possession of any property and who delivers any of the property to the personal representative or legal representative of the decedent may rely upon the release certificate or the release of nonliability certificate, furnished by the department to the personal representative, as evidence of compliance with the requirements of this chapter, and make such deliveries and transfers as the personal representative may direct without being liable for any taxes due under this chapter.
[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 2 § 7; 1981 2nd ex.s. c 7 § 83.100.120 (Initiative Measure No. 402, approved November 3, 1981).]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Final judgment—Affect—Effective dates—2013 2nd sp.s. c 2: See notes following RCW 83.100.048.