Estate Tax Calculator (2026)
Only estates above the exclusion owe federal tax. OBBBA made the higher $15,000,000 per-person exclusion permanent. Add portability to model a married couple’s combined shield.
Federal Estate Tax Basics
The federal estate tax applies to the transfer of wealth at death, but only estates exceeding a substantial threshold. For 2026, the basic exclusion amount is $15,000,000 per person, a permanent figure established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This means most American estates — roughly 99.8% — will never owe federal estate tax. The tax only becomes relevant for very large estates, typically those of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families.
The federal estate tax rate is a flat 40% on the portion of the taxable estate that exceeds the exclusion. While the rate schedule is technically progressive, the exclusion is so large that virtually every taxable estate reaches the 40% bracket. Marital portability allows surviving spouses to combine their exclusions — effectively shielding $30,000,000 for a married couple — but the election must be made on a timely filed Form 706, even if no tax is owed.
Beyond federal tax, about a dozen states plus the District of Columbia impose their own estate or inheritance taxes, often with much lower exemptions — some as low as $1,000,000. This calculator models federal tax only; state-level planning requires separate analysis. For comprehensive estate planning, consult an attorney or tax professional to address gifting strategies, trusts, and state-specific rules.
OBBBA permanently set the basic exclusion at $15,000,000 per person ($30,000,000 for a couple) for 2026 and later, indexed for inflation. The 40% rate applies only to the amount above the exclusion.
Portability lets a surviving spouse inherit a deceased spouse’s unused exclusion — but it must be claimed on a timely estate tax return (Form 706), even when no tax is due.
Not tax, legal, or financial advice
FiscTalk provides general educational information from public sources. Tax outcomes depend on your full facts, filing history, and jurisdiction-specific rules that change yearly. Before filing or making decisions, consult a licensed CPA, EA, or attorney. FiscTalk is not a fiduciary and is not affiliated with the IRS or any state agency.
Sources & methodology
- IRS — Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) — Internal Revenue Service
- IRS Pub. 15 (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide 2026 — Social Security wage base $184,500 — Internal Revenue Service
- IRS Pub. 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods — Internal Revenue Service
- IRS Form 1041-ES (2026) — capital gains rate thresholds — Internal Revenue Service
- OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), Pub. L. 119-21 — SALT, estate, QBI, QSBS, senior deduction — Internal Revenue Service
What this tool does
How to use it
- 1Select the year of death (2026 is the default).
- 2Enter the taxable estate — total assets minus debts, expenses, and bequests.
- 3Enter any portability amount from a deceased spouse’s unused exclusion (DSUE).
- 4Read the result cards: available exclusion, taxable above it, estate tax at 40%, and after-tax amount to heirs.
Worked examples
Run the same scenario through the calculator above to verify every number — they come from the same sourced dataset.
$5,000,000 taxable estate, single decedent, 2026
$15,000,000 taxable estate, single decedent, 2026
$25,000,000 taxable estate, single decedent, 2026
What this tool does not cover
- Federal only — about a dozen states levy their own estate or inheritance taxes with lower exemptions.
- This is a planning estimate, not a Form 706 computation; GST, valuation disputes, and deductions can change the number.
- Gifting strategy and lifetime gifts interact with the exclusion — see the gift tax calculator.
Common questions
What is the 2026 federal estate tax exemption?
The basic exclusion amount is $15,000,000 per person for decedents dying in 2026, permanently set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. With portability, a married couple can shield $30,000,000 combined.
What is the estate tax rate?
The federal estate tax uses a flat 40% top rate on the taxable estate above the exclusion. The rate schedule is progressive, but virtually every taxable estate hits the 40% bracket.
Does portability double the exemption?
Portability lets the surviving spouse use the deceased spouse’s unused exclusion (DSUE), effectively doubling the shield to $30,000,000 for a married couple — but the election must be made on a timely filed estate tax return (Form 706).
Do states also tax estates?
Yes. About a dozen states plus DC impose their own estate or inheritance taxes, often with lower exemptions — see the state guides for the rules in your state.