Tax
Tax Documents to Keep for Inherited Assets
Checklist
The essential tax documents you need to preserve when you inherit assets to avoid future tax problems.
Published: 1 Mar 2025 · Updated: 1 Mar 2026
Property: Original purchase agreement or sale deed showing the previous owner's acquisition cost and date. This determines your cost basis for capital gains. Keep all stamp duty receipts and registration documents.
Shares and mutual funds: Contract notes or statements showing the original purchase date and price. For shares held in demat form, the depository statement from the date of acquisition. Dividend reinvestment records.
Insurance: Premium payment receipts (for claiming deductions). Maturity or death claim settlement letters. TDS certificates if tax was deducted on the payout.
Bank accounts and FDs: Interest certificates (Form 16A) for each financial year. FD maturity amounts and interest earned. This is needed for the deceased's final ITR and your ongoing tax filing.
General: Death certificate, will or succession certificate, legal heir certificate, and any court orders. These prove your right to the inherited assets and may be needed for years during property transfers and account settlements.