It's actually a tax on wealth transfer, and it has far more favorable terms than tranferring wealth above gift limits while still living. In some sense, the ent

It's actually a tax on wealth transfer, and it has far more favorable terms than tranferring wealth above gift limits while still living. In some sense, the entire estate process is a massive loophole that allows wealth transfer without realizing any income, but a fairly understandable one given the nature of family relationships.