Estate Tax Calculator
Calculate your potential federal estate tax liability based on current assets, liabilities, and lifetime gifts.
2026 Federal Estate Tax Information
Exemption: $15,000,000
Tax Rate: 40%
Estate Information
Personal Information
Assets
Total Assets: $0
Liabilities
Total Liabilities: $0
Net Worth: $0
Additional Information
Total taxable gifts made during your lifetime
Charitable bequests reduce taxable estate
Federal Estate Tax Exemption History
| Year | Exemption Amount | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Current | $15,000,000 | 40% |
| 2025 | $13,990,000 | 40% |
| 2024 | $13,610,000 | 40% |
| 2023 | $12,920,000 | 40% |
| 2022 | $12,060,000 | 40% |
| 2021 | $11,700,000 | 40% |
| 2020 | $11,580,000 | 40% |
| 2019 | $11,400,000 | 40% |
| 2018 | $11,180,000 | 40% |
| 2017 | $5,490,000 | 40% |
* The 2026 exemption of $15 million per person ($30 million for married couples with portability) was made permanent by 2025 legislation and is indexed for inflation going forward.
Estate Tax Calculator Guide
What is Estate Tax?
Estate tax is a federal tax imposed on the transfer of property at death. It applies to the total value of everything you own at the time of death, minus debts and qualified deductions.
2026 Federal Estate Tax Exemption
$15 Million per person
($30 Million for married couples with portability)
✅ 2026 Law Update
The exemption did not sunset. 2025 legislation made the exemption permanent at $15 million per person starting in 2026, indexed for inflation going forward.
The previously scheduled drop to ~$7 million never took effect.
How Estate Tax Works
Step 1: Calculate Gross Estate
Total value of all assets at death
Step 2: Subtract Deductions
Debts, funeral expenses, administration costs
Step 3: Apply Exemption
Subtract the federal exemption amount
Step 4: Calculate Tax
Apply progressive tax rates to remaining amount
Estate Tax Rates (2026)
Taxable Amount:
Tax Rate:
$0 - $10,000
18%
$10,000 - $20,000
20%
$20,000 - $40,000
22%
$40,000 - $60,000
24%
$60,000 - $80,000
26%
$80,000 - $100,000
28%
$100,000 - $150,000
30%
$150,000 - $250,000
32%
$250,000 - $500,000
34%
$500,000 - $750,000
37%
$750,000 - $1,000,000
39%
Over $1,000,000
40%
Common Estate Deductions
Debts & Expenses
Mortgages, credit cards, funeral costs, administration fees
Marital Deduction
Unlimited deduction for assets passing to surviving spouse
Charitable Deduction
Unlimited deduction for qualifying charitable gifts
State Death Tax Deduction
Credit for state estate or inheritance taxes paid
States with Estate Tax (2026)
• CT
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington
State exemptions vary significantly and may be much lower than federal
Key 2026 Facts
- • Federal exemption: $15 million per person, permanent and inflation-indexed
- • Married couples can combine exemptions to $30 million via portability (Form 706)
- • Annual gift tax exclusion: $19,000 per recipient
- • Lifetime gifts above the annual exclusion count against the estate tax exemption
- • Top federal rate on amounts above the exemption: 40%
- • State estate taxes have much lower thresholds — check your state
Planning Strategies for Large Estates
- • Annual gifting: $19,000 per recipient reduces your taxable estate tax-free
- • Grantor trusts: SLATs, CLATs, and GRATs can move appreciation out of your estate
- • Business valuations: Valuation discounts on transferred interests
- • Portability election: File Form 706 after a spouse's death to preserve their unused exemption
- • Generation-skipping: Allocate GST exemption for multigenerational transfers
- • State planning: State estate taxes often start near $1–7M — plan for those separately
🤝 When to Get Professional Help
Estate Planning Attorney: Essential for trusts and complex estate structures
Tax Professional: Critical for gift/estate tax returns and exemption strategies
Financial Advisor: Important for asset positioning and insurance strategies