Connecticut Senate Bill SB00167

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/17
• Refer: 1/18/17

Caption

An Act Phasing Out The Estate Tax.

Impact

The impact of SB00167 on state laws would be significant, as it would fundamentally alter how estates are taxed. Currently, the estate tax serves as a source of revenue for the state government; its elimination could lead to a noticeable reduction in state funds available for public services and programs. Proponents anticipate that the phasing out of this tax will enhance economic growth by allowing families to keep more of their inherited wealth, which could subsequently be reinvested into the local economy.

Summary

SB00167 is a proposed bill aimed at phasing out the estate tax in the state over a period of five years. The bill seeks to implement a systematic reduction of the estate tax at a rate of twenty percent each year. This reduction plan is designed to help taxpayers progressively adjust to the removal of the estate tax, ultimately alleviating the financial burden it imposes on individuals inheriting wealth and property from deceased relatives.

Contention

However, the bill is not without contention. Critics argue that abolishing the estate tax disproportionately benefits wealthy families while placing an additional strain on the state's financial resources. They fear that the loss of revenue from the estate tax could lead to funding cuts in essential services such as education and healthcare. Supporters counter that the estate tax is an outdated form of taxation that hinders economic mobility by taxing individuals based on their inherited wealth rather than their earned income.