Form L-8 – Affidavit for Non-Real Estate Investments: Resident Decedents 

          Use this form for release of: 

          • New Jersey bank accounts;

          • Stock in New Jersey corporations;

          • Brokerage accounts; and

          • New Jersey investment bonds.

            This form cannot be used for real estate. 

            For real estate investments, use Form L-9.

          This form can be completed by: 

          • The executor;

          • Administrator;

          • The surviving Class A joint tenant (often a spouse or civil union partner); or

          • Class A “Payable On Death (POD)” beneficiary of the assets for which release is sought.

PART I – ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES: Check the box or boxes corresponding to the type of beneficiary who is 
receiving the assets that will be listed in Part V. If at least one of the boxes does not apply, the L-8 cannot be used to 
release these assets. Qualified civil union partners and domestic partners must provide a legal certificate to 
document their status. 

The following are considered Class A beneficiaries: 

        • Surviving spouse;
        • Surviving civil union partner when a decedent’s death is on or after February 19, 2007;
        • Surviving domestic partner when a decedent’s death is on or after July 10, 2004;
        • Child, stepchild, legally adopted child, or issue of any child or legally adopted child (includes a
          grandchild and a great grandchild but not a step-grandchild or a step great-grandchild);
        • Parent and /or grandparent.

Note: You cannot use this form to release any asset passing to a beneficiary other than the Class A beneficiaries 
specifically listed in Part I. 

For example, the following people cannot use this form (and must file a return to receive waivers): 

        • Sisters and brothers of the decedent;
        • Sons-in-law or daughters-in-law of the decedent;
        • Nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles;
        • Ex-spouses;
        • Mutually acknowledged children;
        • Step-grandchildren and charities.

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PART II – SUCCESSION: Check the box that shows how the assets pass to the beneficiary. 
        • Check Box aif the assets on the form pass directly to the beneficiary by operation of law. This means
          they were jointly held, POD, or Transfer on Death (TOD). (A copy of the will is not needed);
        • Check Box bif the will states that these specific assets reported on the L-8 form pass to a particular
          named beneficiary. (Attach a copy of the will);
        • Check Box cif there was no will (intestate) and all the beneficiaries in the entire estate are Class A
          beneficiaries as listed in Part I; or
        • Check Box cif there was a will (testate), but there were no specific bequests and all the beneficiaries in
          the entire estate are one of the Class A beneficiaries listed in Part I (attach a copy of the will).
        Note: If at least one of the boxes does not apply, the L-8 cannot be used to release these assets. 
PART III – TRUSTS/DISCLAIMERS: If any of the assets you wish to release pass into or through a trust, where the 
trust decides how the assets are distributed, you cannot use the L-8. Trusts can be set up by decedents either in their 
will, or separately from the will. For the purposes of the L-8, it is not generally considered a “trust” when there is a 
bequest in the will to a minor (who is a Class “A”) to be held “in trust” until he/she reaches a specific age. In all other 
cases, a full return must be filed with the Inheritance Tax Branch, even if the assets all appear to be passing to Class A 
beneficiaries. 
NOTE: Assets that are owned by or in the name of a trust do not require a waiver or L-8, but must still be reported 
on any return filed. 
PART IV – ESTATE TAX: This section determines whether the estate may be required to pay New Jersey Estate Tax. 
You must be able to answer “YES” to either a), b), or c) to qualify to use this form. If the decedent died on or after 
January 1, 2017, but before January 1, 2018, his/her entire taxable estate must be under $2 million. If the date of 
death was before January 1, 2017, the entire taxable estate must be under $675,000. Even if you qualify to use this 
form, a return is still required if the gross estate is over $675,000. If the decedent died on or after January 1, 2018, 
then there is no Estate Tax. 
PART V – PROPERTY: List all the assets in this institution for which you are requesting a release. If this is a bank, list 
each account in this bank separately. Follow the column headings for each asset. Under “How held/Registered,” you 
may enter “NOD” (Name of Decedent) if the account was in the name of the decedent alone. If it was Paid on Death 
(POD) to a person, enter “POD to” and the person or persons’ names (e.g., POD Jane Doe and John Doe). If it was 
jointly held, enter “NOD and/or” the beneficiary’s name. 
PART VI – BENEFICIARIES: List the name of each beneficiary and his/her relationship to the decedent. The 
relationship must be one of the Class A beneficiaries listed in Part I of the L-8. 
NOTE: “Executor,” “Estate,” and “Beneficiary” are not correct relations to the decedent in this column. You must use 
terms such as “Child,” “Spouse,” or “Grandchild.” 
SIGNATURE: This form is an affidavit and must be signed by the executor, administrator, or beneficiary, and the 
signature must be notarized. 
PART VII – RELEASING INSTITUTION: A representative of the institution releasing the funds must verify that all 
questions have been answered and that the beneficiaries reported are allowed per Part I, before signing the form and 
releasing any assets. If you have any question as to whether you are permitted to release assets, please call the 
Inheritance Tax general information number at (609) 292-5033 and ask to speak to an Information Section 
representative. 

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                                                                      Form L-8 

              Take or send the completed form directly to the bank or other financial institution holding the funds. 
                         Do not mail this form to the Division of Taxation. You will not receive a waiver. 

Decedent’s Name                                                       Decedent’s SSN: 
                         (Last)               (First)        (Middle) 
Date of Death (mm/dd/yy)                              County of Residence                     Testate (Will)     Intestate (No Will) 
You must answer the following questions: 
I.      ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES: Who is receiving the assets listed on the reverse side? Check all that apply:
        a.    Surviving spouse;
        b. Surviving civil union partner when a decedent’s death is on or after February 19, 2007;
        c.    Surviving domestic partner when a decedent’s death is on or after July 10, 2004;
        d. Child, stepchild, legally adopted child, or issue of any child or legally adopted child (includes a grandchild and a
              great grandchild but not a step-grandchild or a step great-grandchild);
        e.    Parent and /or grandparent.
        Were you able to check at least one of the boxes above? 
        Yes       No   If“No,”  this form may not be used and an Inheritance Tax return must be filed. If “Yes,” continue to Part II. 
II.     SUCCESSION: How were the assets received? Check any that apply:
        a.    The beneficiary succeeded to the assets by survivorship or contract; or
        b. The property was specifically devised to the beneficiary; or
        c.    The property was not specifically devised, but all beneficiaries under the decedent’s will or intestate heirs-at-law are
              Class A as described in a. through e. in Part I above.
        Were you able to check at least one of the boxes above? 
        Yes       No   If“No,”      this form may not be used. 
        NOTE: If there are any assets passing to any beneficiary other than a member of the groups listed above, a complete Transfer 
        Inheritance Tax Return must be filed in the normal manner. It must list all assets in the estate, including any which were 
        acquired by means of this form . 

III.    TRUSTS/DISCLAIMERS: Do any portion of the assets listed on the reverse side pass into a trust or pass to the beneficiary
        as a result of a disclaimer?
        Yes       No   If“Yes,”     this form may     not be used. 
IV.     ESTATE TAX:

        a.  Was the decedent’s date of death on or after January 1, 2018; or
        b. Was the decedent’s date of death on or after January 1, 2017, but before January 1, 2018, and his/her taxable
            estate less than $2 million as determined pursuant to Section 2051 of the Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C. § 2051)*; or
        c.  Was the decedent’s date of death before January 1, 2017, and i s his/her taxable estate plus adjusted taxable
            gifts $675,000 or less as determined pursuant to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code in effect on
            December 31, 2001, (Line 3 plus Line 4 on 2001 Federal Estate Tax Form 706)?
                                         Check Yes or No based on whether “a,” “b,” or “c” applies. 
        Yes       No   If“No,”      this form may not be used. 
        *While this form may be used if the decedent died on or after January 1, 2017 but before January 1, 2018 if the decedent’s
        taxable estate is under $2 million pursuant to Section 2051 of the Internal Revenue Code, a return must still be filed if the
        gross estate is over $2 million.
                                To Be Valid, This Form Must Be Fully Completed On Both Sides 
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V.      PROPERTY (Bank accounts, Brokerage accounts, Stock, Investment Bonds):
        A separate affidavit is required for each institution releasing assets. 

                Description of Asset                                  How held/Registered                  Date of Death Value* 
        (Checking, Savings, CD, IRA, # of Shares, etc.)    (Joint, POD, TOD, Individual, etc.)              (Full Value) 

        BANK ACCOUNTS/BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS: Must list the full balance as of the date of death. 
        STOCK: List the name of the company and number of shares held under “Description of Asset.” 
        BONDS: Include the name of the issuer, face value under “Description of Asset.” 
VI.     BENEFICIARIES OF PROPERTIES LISTED IN V. ABOVE:
                             Name(s) of Beneficiary                             Relation to Decedent (Must be checked in Part I) 

        If the decedent died with a will, and the assets listed above pass to the beneficiaries through the will a ,  complete copy       
        of the last will and testament, codicils, and separate writings must be submitted with this form. 

        I hereby request the release of the property listed in Part V above. I certify that the beneficiaries of said property are 
        listed in Part VI above and that this form is completed in accordance with its filing requirements. 
        State of New Jersey County of                                 ss. 
                                                          being duly sworn, deposes and says that the foregoing statements are 
        true to the best of his/her information or belief. 
        Subscribed and sworn before me this                Signature: 
        day of  ,            .                                           Deponent: Executor / Administrator / Joint Tenant / Heir-at-Law 

                                                                       Deponent’s Social Security or Federal Identification Number 

                             Notary Public                                                Street Address 

                                                                                Town/CityState         Zip 
                This Form Must Be Signed by the Releasing Institution Before Mailing to the Division of Taxation 
VII. To Be Completed by Releasing Institution
        A bank, trust company, association, other depository, transfer agent, or organization may release the assets herein set 
        forth only if the first, second, and fourth boxes (Parts I, II and IV) on the front of this form are checked “YES,” the third box 
        (Part III) is checked “NO” and Part VI includes only those relationships permitted in Part I, items 1 through 5. Also, if the 
        decedent died testate and the assets do not pass by contract or survivorship, a complete copy of the will, separate writing, 
        and all codicils must be attached.
        The original of this affidavit must be filed by the releasing institution within five business days of execution with the 
        Division of Taxation, Transfer Inheritance and Estate Tax Branch, 3 John Fitch Way, PO Box 249, Trenton, NJ 08695-0249. 
        The affiant (person who made affidavit) should be given a copy.

                Name of Institution Accepting Affidavit                         Address 
By 
                             Name                                               Phone Number 
                                           Riders May be Attached – This Form May Be Reproduced 
                                          To Be Valid, This Form Must Be Fully Completed on Both Sides 
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