Inherited a West Chester home? Start with its date-of-death value.

We research the market and the property's condition on the effective date. Later records can establish earlier facts; we explain the evidence and any assumptions. After delivery, review the date, intended use and assumptions with your adviser, and send us factual questions.

A West Chester borough twin renovated after a death and a township house with a later addition both need records separating earlier condition from later work. Chester County's Recorder of Deeds keeps land records; its Assessment Office keeps parcel records. An assessed value is not a date-of-death value.

No. Inherited property generally takes a basis equal to fair market value at death. Selling above that basis generally produces a taxable gain. Despite the name, a falling market can mean a step-down. In certain circumstances, the heir's basis must match the value finally determined for federal estate tax purposes. Your tax adviser applies those rules; we provide the opinion of value.

Only when your adviser confirms it applies. For a federal estate tax return, the executor may elect alternate valuation, generally six months after death, only if it reduces both the gross estate and the tax. That election is irrevocable. Pennsylvania inheritance tax uses date-of-death value and has no six-month alternate date. Settle the effective date before ordering.

An inheritance generally is not income to the heir; later rent or other income is taxable. There is no federal inheritance tax. Federal estate tax is paid by the executor; the IRS filing threshold for a U.S. citizen or resident dying in 2026 is $15,000,000. If a federal estate tax return is required, Pennsylvania requires a copy at the county Register of Wills that granted letters within one month of the IRS filing.

Pennsylvania inheritance tax is separate. For a Chester County resident, the county Register of Wills accepts the return and payments as the Commonwealth's agent. Rates are 0% for a surviving spouse and qualifying parent–child transfers involving a child 21 or younger (parent-to-child exemption for deaths on or after January 1, 2020); 4.5% for lineal heirs, 12% for siblings and 15% for most other heirs. Ask your adviser which exemption applies. Pennsylvania has no estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2005.

Pennsylvania is not a community-property state, so the federal rule resetting basis on both halves of community property does not apply to a West Chester couple's home. For a qualified joint interest between spouses, IRS Publication 551 includes one-half of the value in the first spouse's gross estate. Your adviser must determine your basis. Property spouses owned with right of survivorship is exempt from Pennsylvania inheritance tax.

No. A monthly median describes a group of sales, not your house on an earlier date. Our service-area figures show a $687,500 median and 102 sold listings for September 2026, observed October 7, 2026, in RPR's area labeled West Chester, Pennsylvania, with the Single Family + Condo/Townhouse/Apt filter. That area may differ from borough boundaries and our service area. The figure cannot account for your home's condition or substitute for a date-of-death appraisal.

West Chester market context →

September 2026 RPR figures (CSV) →

IRS, federal law, Pennsylvania and Chester County references are linked below. This is general information, not tax advice, and it values no home. Have your tax adviser confirm the effective date, ownership treatment and filing requirements for your situation.