Estate Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate federal estate tax using the 2026 exemption and compare state-level estate and inheritance taxes.
How to Use the Estate Tax Calculator
- Enter the total estate value.
- Select the state of residence.
- Review federal and state estate/inheritance tax estimates.
- Compare states with the State Tax Burden Calculator for lifetime planning.
Formula
taxableEstate = max(0, estate - exemption) federalTax = taxableEstate × 40% // above exemption stateTax = stateEstate(estate)
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Worked Example
A single person dies in 2026 with a $15,000,000 estate. The federal exemption is about $13,990,000 per person, inflation-adjusted, so roughly $1,010,000 sits above the exemption. The top federal estate tax rate is 40%, so the federal bill on the excess could approach $404,000, leaving heirs about $14.6 million. Roughly eighteen states plus the District of Columbia levy their own estate or inheritance tax, often with exemptions far below the federal level, so a smaller estate may still owe state tax even when no federal tax is due. Estate tax is charged to the estate before distribution; inheritance tax is paid by the heir on what they receive, with rates and exemptions varying by relationship. The calculator estimates federal and state exposure from your estate size and state.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A frequent mistake is assuming the high federal exemption means no tax is owed; many states tax estates well under $2 million, so a mid-size estate can still face a state bill. Another error is confusing estate tax with inheritance tax: the first hits the estate, the second hits the beneficiary, and a few states use both. People also forget that the federal exemption is portable between spouses only if a timely portability election is filed. Life insurance proceeds are generally included in the taxable estate despite being income-tax-free. Finally, the exemption amount changes with legislation, so do not rely on last decade's figure when planning today.
When to Consult a Tax Professional
Estate tax is exactly where professional help pays for itself. Thresholds, portability elections, trusts, and annual gifting strategies interact in ways a calculator cannot model for your family. If your estate approaches the federal or any state exemption, an estate-planning attorney or CPA can structure gifts, trusts, and charitable bequests to reduce the bill legally. Business owners and those holding illiquid real estate should plan for liquidity at death. Anyone with assets in more than one state, or a non-citizen spouse, should get advice before relying on any estimate here.
Sources & Further Reading
The IRS explains the federal estate tax and portability at IRS.gov. State estate and inheritance tax charts are published by the Federation of Tax Administrators at TaxAdmin.org. The SSA is less relevant here, but for wealth and transfer context the Census Bureau offers data at Census.gov. The calculator uses these figures for its estimates.
Disclaimer: SaveTaxUS calculators provide estimates only and do not constitute official tax advice. All calculations run locally in your browser — we never upload your income, property, or financial data.
Data source: Rates are based on publicly available 2026 IRS federal brackets and state tax publications. For formal filing, consult a licensed CPA. Last updated: July 2026.