Do you need to record a cash inheritance of 17000.00 on your 1040 tax return?

No. Cash that you receive as an inheritance isn't included in your income, because it isn't taxable.

For more information, go online at www.irs.gov/formspubs. Select Publication Number. Type 559 to read/print Publication 559 (Survivors, Executors, and Administrators). Another helpful publication is Publication 950 (Introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes).