hi, i spent reading a lot of past threads and got a good understanding regards to WHT on dividends and advantages of using Irish domiciled etfs and all that. i am also aware of liquidity risk of 3140 vs the Spy.

I am not US citizen/persons, and reside in HK. may i ask, what about Estate tax? i believe 3140 is listed in hk so even if i die IRS cant claim anything even underlying is US assets. But if i purchase SPY via HSBC HK, and say i die, will IRS actually claim estate tax?

I read somewhere on this board, that in practice if i die wife can login to HSBC (joint account) and liquidate before succession becomes an issue (whether thats legally allowed or not is not a main q). but if i pursue proper legal avennue, is SPY held via hsbc HK custodian be taxed for death?

tx.