Estate Tax Calculator
Estimate federal estate tax based on estate value, deductions, and exemptions.
Estate Information
Deductions & Expenses
State Estate Tax
Total Estate Tax
0.0% of estate
Federal Estate Tax
0.0% marginal rate
State Estate Tax
No state tax
Net to Heirs
After taxes & expenses
Exemption Remaining
Available for future use
Federal Exemption (2026)
Estate Summary
How it works
Estate tax applies to the value of assets passed on at death, but only above a large exemption. The calculator subtracts the exemption from the taxable estate and applies the rate to the excess — most estates owe nothing because they fall under the threshold.
Estate tax
Taxable amount = gross estate − exemption − deductions Tax = taxable amount × rate
- gross estate
- total value of assets at death
- exemption
- amount excluded (multi-million federally)
Worked example
- Gross estate = $20,000,000
- Exemption = $15,000,000 (2026, OBBBA)
- Graduated rates, top rate 40%
- Taxable = 20,000,000 − 15,000,000 = $5,000,000
- Tax = 345,800 on the first $1M + 40% × 4,000,000
≈ $1,945,800 in federal estate tax.
Good to know
- The federal exemption is very high, so the vast majority of estates owe no federal estate tax.
- Some states levy their own estate or inheritance tax with much lower thresholds.
- Assets left to a spouse or charity are generally fully deductible from the taxable estate.
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Preguntas Frecuentes
What is the federal estate tax exemption?
As of 2026, the federal estate and gift tax exemption is $15 million per person ($30 million for a married couple), indexed for inflation in future years. Only the value of an estate above the exemption is subject to federal estate tax.
What is the federal estate tax rate?
The federal estate tax is graduated, but the top rate of 40% applies to most taxable amounts above the exemption. Because the exemption is so large, only a small fraction of estates owe any federal estate tax at all.
What is portability between spouses?
Portability lets a surviving spouse use the deceased spouse's unused federal exemption, effectively doubling the couple's combined shelter. It is not automatic — the executor must elect it by filing a federal estate tax return (Form 706) on time, even if no tax is due.
Do states have their own estate taxes?
Yes. About a dozen states plus Washington, D.C. levy an estate tax, and a few levy an inheritance tax on recipients, often with exemptions far below the federal level. An estate can owe state estate tax even when no federal tax is due.
What is included in the gross estate?
Generally everything you own or control at death: real estate, bank and brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and life insurance proceeds from policies you own. Debts, administration expenses, and transfers to a spouse or charity are then deducted to reach the taxable estate.