Which of the following is a potential benefit of filing Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, even if the return is not required? Paying the estate tax at the estate level will prevent the ultimate estate beneficiaries from being required to pay an inheritance tax. By filing the estate tax return, the fiduciary of the estate can make the "portability" election, and pass any unused exclusion amount of the deceased taxpayer to their surviving spouse. Filing the estate tax return allows the estate to receive a step-up in basis on any property owned by the decedent at the time of death. For a decedent whose estate files an estate tax return, funeral expenses are deductible on the decedent's final Form 1040