Estate Tax Calculator United States
This estate tax calculator for 2026 nets debts, expenses and marital or charitable gifts, applies the lifetime exemption and shows federal tax on the excess.
What it does
The Estate Tax Calculator estimates federal estate tax by netting debts, expenses and marital or charitable deductions from the gross estate, subtracting the lifetime exemption, and applying the top rate to the excess.
Data sources & parameters
The figures below drive this calculator. We keep them aligned with the latest official guidance, and each result recalculates automatically whenever a value changes.
| Parameter | Value | Source | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime estate and gift tax exemption | 15,000,000 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01 |
| Federal estate tax top rate | 0.4 | irs.gov | Effective 2026-01-01Made open-ended (was valid to 2026-12-31): the 40% top estate and gift tax rate is fixed by statute (IRC 2001(c)); unchanged for 2027. audit 2026-09-23 |
We always strive to use the latest data for every variable so our results and reports are as accurate as possible. Even so, errors are possible — you should not rely on this tool or its report alone, and we accept no liability for any decision made based on it.
The formula
Estate tax = (taxable estate − available exemption) × top rate, where taxable estate = gross estate − debts − marital/charitable deductions
How it works
It works out the taxable estate, subtracts the exemption still available after any lifetime gifts, and taxes the amount over the exemption at the federal top rate.
Where it is used
- Estimating a potential federal estate tax bill
- Seeing how deductions reduce the taxable estate
- Checking how lifetime gifts erode the exemption
Worked example
On a gross estate of $20,000,000.00 with $500,000.00 of debts and expenses, the taxable estate is …. After the exemption, … is taxable, giving an estimated federal estate tax of ….
What the estate tax calculator does
The estate tax calculator estimates the federal estate tax that could apply to an estate at death. It starts from the gross value of everything owned, subtracts debts, settlement expenses and any marital or charitable deductions to reach the taxable estate, then applies the lifetime exemption. Only the value above the exemption is taxed, and that excess is charged at the federal top rate.
The tool combines the gross estate, deductions, exemption and rate in one estimate so you can see how they interact. It is a planning aid, not a filing, and covers federal tax only.
How the calculation works
The calculator follows the structure of the federal estate tax:
- It nets debts, settlement expenses and marital or charitable deductions from the gross estate to find the taxable estate.
- It reduces the lifetime exemption by any gift exemption already used to find the exemption still available.
- It subtracts the available exemption from the taxable estate to find the amount over the exemption.
- It applies the federal top rate to that excess to estimate the tax.
The tax applies only to the amount above the exemption, so an estate below it owes no federal estate tax. The current lifetime exemption used here is $15,000,000, and the calculation applies the federal estate tax top rate to any excess.
Why the lifetime exemption matters
The lifetime exemption sets the threshold below which no federal estate tax is due, so a change in it can move an estate from taxable to non-taxable or the reverse.
The exemption is shared between gifts and estates: the amount used on taxable lifetime gifts is deducted from what remains for the estate at death. Someone who has made large lifetime gifts has less exemption left, so more of the estate can be taxed. Enter the exemption already used and the calculator subtracts it.
The role of deductions
Deductions reduce the taxable estate before the exemption applies. Debts owed by the estate and the costs of settling it, such as administration expenses, reduce the value that can be taxed. Transfers to a surviving spouse and gifts to qualifying charities are also generally deductible, and for many estates these are the largest reductions.
A large charitable bequest or a transfer to a spouse can bring the taxable estate under the exemption entirely. The calculator groups marital and charitable deductions together so you can test how much they change the result.
Worked example
Consider a gross estate of $20,000,000 with $500,000 of debts and settlement expenses, no marital or charitable deductions, and no lifetime gift exemption used. The taxable estate is $20,000,000 minus $500,000, or $19,500,000. With the full exemption available, the amount over the exemption is $19,500,000 minus the exemption, and the federal top rate is applied to that excess to give the estimated tax.
If the same estate instead left a large charitable bequest, that deduction would reduce the taxable estate further, cutting the amount exposed to tax. And if the person had already used part of their exemption on lifetime gifts, less exemption would remain, pushing more of the estate into the taxable amount.
Assumptions and limitations
This calculator is a simplified federal estimate. It applies a single top rate to the amount over the exemption instead of modeling the full graduated estate tax computation and unified credit mechanics, so the figure is an approximation intended for planning. It does not account for portability of a deceased spouse's unused exemption, generation-skipping transfer tax, valuation discounts, or the many special rules that can apply to particular assets.
It estimates federal estate tax only. Several states impose their own estate or inheritance tax, often with far lower exemptions than the federal one, so an estate that owes nothing federally can still face a state bill. Confirm your situation with a qualified estate planning professional.
This is general information only and not financial advice.
About This Estate Tax Calculator
Use this estate tax calculator to get an instant, accurate estimate. The figures follow official IRS guidance and every rate and threshold is kept up to date for 2026. Adjust the inputs above to match your situation, or browse all our calculators to plan your next step.
Tax year 2026
Frequently asked questions
What does this estate tax calculator do?
What is the lifetime estate tax exemption?
Does this include state estate or inheritance tax?
How do lifetime gifts affect the result?
Do marital and charitable transfers reduce the tax?
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