Estate Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate your potential federal estate tax liability. The 2026 exemption is $13.99M per person. Most estates owe nothing.
The 2026 federal estate tax exemption is $13.99 million per person ($27.98M for married couples with portability election). Only amounts above the exemption are taxed, at rates from 18% to 40%. Note: the exemption is scheduled to drop to approximately $7M in 2026 absent new legislation — plan accordingly.
Who Actually Pays Federal Estate Tax?
Fewer than 0.2% of estates owe federal estate tax. With a $13.99M exemption per person ($27.98M for couples), only the very wealthy face this tax. The exemption is set to continue post-2025 based on current law.
State estate taxes: 12 states and DC levy their own estate taxes with lower exemptions ($1M-$7M). If you live in Massachusetts, Oregon, or Washington, your estate could owe state tax even if federal tax doesn't apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
The federal estate tax exemption for 2026 is $13.99 million per individual ($27.98 million for married couples with portability election). Estates below this threshold owe zero federal estate tax. The exemption is indexed to inflation annually.
Federal estate tax rates are progressive: 18% on taxable estates under $10,000, scaling up to 40% on the taxable amount above $1 million. Only the amount above the exemption is taxed — the exemption itself is always tax-free.
Yes — 12 states and Washington D.C. have separate estate taxes with lower exemptions than the federal threshold. States with estate tax include Massachusetts (exemption $1M), Oregon ($1M), Washington state ($2.193M), and others. Some states also have inheritance taxes paid by beneficiaries.
Common strategies include: annual gift tax exclusion ($18,000/person in 2026), irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), charitable remainder trusts, qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), and family limited partnerships. A licensed estate planning attorney should coordinate any strategy.