New York Court of Appeals

In the Matter of the Appraisal for Taxation, Under the Act in Relation to Taxable Transfers of Property, of the…

October 4, 1898156 N.Y. 423

Summary

The Court held that a codicil provision paying a son for services rendered, though intended to satisfy a debt, constitutes a transfer by will and is therefore subject to the Transfer Tax Act. The motive of the testator is irrelevant; acceptance by the beneficiary completes the taxable transfer.