[nosianu]

Since we were talking about inheritance, how is this relevant? While alive the person has their wealth and the incentive you mentioned (if it's even all that relevant to them, but that's an unrelated question), and the next generation has the same incentive. More in fact if they have to actually do something compared to them simply inheriting a lot of wealth.

[aww_dang]

An easy hypothetical would be someone who is incredibly wealthy and near the end of their years. Inheritance and death taxes may reduce their incentives to contribute to the economy. Someone who is an experience job creator might choose leisure instead.

Keep in mind that death taxes may apply not only to what is inherited by family members, but charitable foundations created as well. Charity starts with the possibility of abundance.