(a) The estate of each decedent whose property is subject to the laws of this state and which is required to file a federal estate tax return shall be deemed prima facie liable for payment of estate taxes under this article and shall be subject to a lien therefor in the amount as may be later determined to be due and payable on the estate as provided in this article.

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Terms Used In West Virginia Code 11-11-27

  • Commissioner: means the State Tax Commissioner. See West Virginia Code 11-22-1
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing, engraving, writing, or otherwise. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • personal representative: includes the executor of a will, the administrator of the estate of a deceased person, the administrator of such estate with the will annexed, the administrator de bonis non of such estate, whether there be a will or not, the sheriff or other officer lawfully charged with the administration of the estate of a deceased person, and every other curator or committee of a decedent'. See West Virginia Code 11-11-2
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • state: means any state, territory or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia. See West Virginia Code 11-11-2
  • tax: means the tax imposed by this article, and includes any additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed by this article or article ten of this chapter. See West Virginia Code 11-11-2
  • Tax Commissioner: means the Tax Commissioner of the State of West Virginia or his or her delegate. See West Virginia Code 11-11-2

(b) This presumption of liability shall begin on the date of the death of the decedent and shall continue until the full settlement of all taxes which may be found to be due under this article, the settlement to be shown by receipts for payment of all taxes due under this article, to be issued by the Tax Commissioner as provided for in this article.

(c) Whenever the Tax Commissioner determines that an estate described in subsection (a) of this section is not liable for payment of tax under this article, the Tax Commissioner shall issue to the personal representative a certificate in writing to that effect, showing the nonliability to tax, which certificate of nonliability shall have the same force and effect as a receipt showing payment of tax. This certificate of nonliability may be recorded and shall be admissible in evidence in like manner as receipts showing payment of taxes due under this article.