Possible Big Winner in Anna Nicole Smith’s Death — The IRS!

The big “winner” in the death of Anna Nicole Smith may turn out to be the I.R.S.

Anna’s estate has already been estimated as being worth almost $500 million.  The federal estate tax liability could easily exceed $200 million.

Of course, if Howard K. Stern is successful in proving that he was married to Anna at the time of her death, amounts passing to her via Anna’s will or by intestate succession would be tax-free because of the unlimited marital deduction.