Do I have to pay back taxes regarding inherited property?

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Do I have to pay back taxes regarding inherited property?

My father passed and owned a part of his parents property they willed to him. I was never told about the property. He paid taxes on this property for 9 years until 18 years ago. The brother bought the 39 acres from the sisters and tried to sell it. When they went to do a title search they found tow heirs. They found me and my cousin. The uncle passed and the daughter is trying to make us pay back taxes on this property that he had paid. Do we have to if we knew nothing about the property?

Asked on October 18, 2017 under Real Estate Law, Virginia

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

Being an heir does not require you to pay if you "disclaim," or give up on, the inheritance: so if you refuse to accept the share of  or interest in the property that would go to you, you are not responible for the taxes--being someone's child does not make you liable on their taxes. If you want to disclaim, contact the probate court's office; they be able to direct you to the forms and procedure.
If you do inherit the property, then they can try to force you to pay.


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