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Section 6166: Pay Estate Tax in Installments on Family Business Estates

When a family business is the bulk of the estate, §6166 lets heirs pay estate tax over 14 years at favorable interest — saving the business from forced sale.

By Harry Prabandham3 min · 5 slidesUpdated June 15, 2026

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The Problem §6166 Solves

  • Estate tax is due 9 months after death.
  • If a family business is 60–80% of the estate value, paying estate tax from liquid assets is impossible.
  • Without an installment plan, heirs face forced sale of the business — often at distress prices.
  • §6166 lets them pay estate tax attributable to the business over up to 14 years at favorable interest, preserving the business.

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