If you inherit $500,000, the best approach is to take your time, seek professional financial and tax advice, pay off high-interest debt, build an emergency fund, and then invest the remainder based on your long-term goals and risk tolerance. Rushed decisions are often regretted, so park the money in a safe, low-risk account like a high-yield savings account temporarily.
The key is to balance short-term needs with long-term wealth protection so your inheritance supports you — and potentially future generations.
Inheriting money and assets
There are no inheritance or estate taxes in Australia. However, you may have tax obligations for the assets you inherit: capital gains tax may apply if you dispose of an asset inherited from a deceased estate.
No, there is no inheritance tax in Australia. This means you won't pay tax simply for receiving an inheritance—whether it's cash, property, or shares. However, that doesn't mean there are no tax consequences. Depending on what you inherit and how you use it, other taxes may apply.
What to do with an inheritance
Here are some of the slices you might include as you decide what to do with your inheritance:
Every individual has a basic Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold of £325,000, known as the Nil Rate Band. Assets below this value generally pass to beneficiaries free of tax. If the estate is worth more than that, IHT at 40% usually applies on the excess, unless exemptions or reliefs reduce the amount due.
Australia does not have inheritance or estate taxes, but you may have tax obligations for the assets you inherit. Your solicitor or the Queensland Public Trustee will provide you with all the necessary information to help you complete your tax return.
If you inherit a large amount of money, take your time in deciding what to do with it. A high-yield savings account is a safe place to park the money while you make your decisions. Paying off high-interest debts such as credit card debt is one good use for an inheritance.
Your beneficiaries (the people who inherit your estate) do not normally pay tax on things they inherit. They may have related taxes to pay, for example if they get rental income from a house left to them in a will.
While state laws differ for inheritance taxes, an inheritance must exceed a certain threshold to be considered taxable. For federal estate taxes as of 2024, if the total estate is under $13.61 million for an individual or $27.22 million for a married couple, there's no need to worry about estate taxes.
In Australia, you can give as much money as you'd like to someone tax-free — there's no specific 'gift tax' for either the giver or the recipient. However, gifting certain assets (like property or shares) can trigger CGT.
In general, any inheritance you receive does not need to be reported to the IRS. You typically don't need to report inheritance money to the IRS because inheritances aren't considered taxable income by the federal government. That said, earnings made off of the inheritance may need to be reported.
Stocks and shares
This is where your returns start earning returns and over the years it can give your investment a significant boost. Buying individual shares is higher risk and takes a lot of research. It's easier and less risky to invest in a fund that invests in a broad portfolio of shares on your behalf.
The biggest mistake people make with wills is failing to keep them updated after major life changes (marriage, divorce, new children, significant assets), leading to outdated wishes; other huge errors include using vague language, choosing the wrong executor, not understanding that a will doesn't avoid probate, failing to meet legal signing requirements, and not telling anyone where the will is located. In essence, many people either don't make a will or create one that becomes invalid or ineffective over time, causing chaos and family disputes.
If you decide you want to put money from an inheritance into your super, you usually can, by making a voluntary contribution or a spouse contribution. There are limits on how much you can contribute to your super per year, so make sure the amount you contribute to your super is within these limits.
Large inheritance ($500,000)
You could also use some of the money to remodel your house or buy a vacation property. Sometimes, people who inherit a large sum of money decide to invest it and preserve the principal, then use the proceeds to fund other expenditures.
The first significant step after receiving your inheritance should be finding professionals to help you manage it. Solidify your short-and long-term financial goals to develop a solid, sustainable plan. Don't make any large or high-risk investments before consulting with a trusted advisor.
The 7 year rule
No tax is due on any gifts you give if you live for 7 years after giving them - unless the gift is part of a trust. This is known as the 7 year rule.
On death of an owner, the rule is that where a parcel of land is eligible for the principal place of residence exemption under Clause 9 of Schedule 1A of the Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW) (LTMA), then unless the land is generating income from rent, an executor is allowed 2 years from the date of death of the ...
Ways to Avoid Inheritance Tax Australia
CGT doesn't usually apply at the time you inherit the dwelling, however it will apply when you later sell or dispose of the dwelling, unless an exemption applies. if you dispose of the inherited property within 2 years (or the within an extension period) of the deceased person's death.
The catchily-titled “normal expenditure out of income exemption” rule means that gifts made regularly out of normal monthly income, which do not reduce your standard of living, could escape the risk of later being subject to inheritance tax.
Many people worry about the estate tax affecting the inheritance they pass along to their children, but it's not a reality most people will face. In 2025, the first $13,990,000 of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes, up from $13,610,000 in 2024. Estate taxes are based on the size of the estate.
However, there is a little-known IHT loophole that does not have a set limit or post-gift survival requirement, known as 'Gifts for the Maintenance of Family'. Any gift that qualifies under this loophole is exempt from IHT. If HMRC decide that the gift was larger than reasonable, the reasonable part is still exempt.