Inheritance Tax in Chile for Foreigners: Rates, Exemptions, and Filing

Chile taxes inherited assets under Ley 16.271 — and the rules apply to foreign heirs who inherit Chilean assets, not just Chilean citizens. If someone dies with bank accounts, property, pension funds, or investments in Chile, the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) must issue a tax clearance certificate before any assets can be transferred to heirs.

The Progressive Tax Structure

Chile's inheritance tax is calculated per heir based on their relationship to the deceased and the value of their individual share. Direct descendants (children, grandchildren), the surviving spouse or civil partner, and parents receive the most favorable treatment.

The tax is progressive — higher-value inheritances are taxed at higher marginal rates. Rates range from 1% to 25%, but the generous exemption threshold means most mid-size estates pay nothing.

The 600 UTM Exemption

Each heir who is a direct descendant or spouse receives a personal tax exemption of up to 600 Unidades Tributarias Mensuales (UTM). At 2026 values, this exemption covers approximately $40,000 USD worth of inherited assets per person.

For a married couple with two children where one spouse dies intestate: the surviving spouse and each child each receive their share of the estate with the 600 UTM exemption applied individually. In many cases, this means the entire estate is exempt from inheritance tax.

Deductible Expenses

The taxable estate is calculated after deducting legitimate expenses:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Terminal medical expenses
• Outstanding debts owed by the deceased
• Administrative costs of the posesión efectiva

These deductions reduce the taxable base before the exemption and progressive rates are applied, making smaller estates even more likely to fall entirely within the tax-free threshold.

Filing: Form 4423 vs. Form 4412

The inheritance tax declaration must be filed with the SII within two years of the date of death. Which form you use depends on how the estate is being settled:

• Form 4423: For intestate estates (no will) processed through administrative posesión efectiva at the Civil Registry
• Form 4412: For testate estates (with a will) or donations, processed through the civil courts

Both forms are filed online through the SII website. The SII reviews the declared asset valuations and issues either a Tax Exemption Certificate (Certificado de Exención) or a Tax Payment Assessment. Processing takes 15 to 30 business days.

The Two-Year Deadline

Missing the two-year filing deadline triggers compounding interest penalties ranging from 5% to 20%, depending on how late the declaration is. The clock starts from the date of death, not from the date posesión efectiva is granted. For foreign families who take months to organize the estate settlement, this deadline can arrive faster than expected.

Double Taxation Concerns

Foreign heirs may owe inheritance or estate tax in their home country on the same Chilean assets. Chile has limited bilateral tax treaties, and inheritance tax treaties are even rarer.

In practice:

• US heirs: The US federal estate tax exemption is extremely high ($13.6M in 2026), so most US heirs of Chilean assets will not face double taxation. State-level estate taxes vary.
• UK heirs: The UK taxes worldwide assets of UK-domiciled individuals, including Chilean inheritances. Tax credits for Chilean tax paid may apply.
• Consult a tax advisor in both countries for estates with significant cross-border assets.

AFP Pension Funds: A Partial Exception

The deceased's AFP pension fund balance — up to 4,000 UF — is exempt from inheritance tax under Article 72 of Decree Law 3500. These funds are distributed directly to the designated pension beneficiaries, not through the posesión efectiva process. This exemption can represent a significant portion of the estate's value.

Get the Tax Calculation Worksheet

The Chile Expat Death Guide includes an inheritance tax worksheet that walks you through the calculation step by step — asset valuation, deductions, exemptions, and the progressive rate schedule — so you know exactly what the estate owes before you file.

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