What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2025/2026?

For 2024, the federal basic exclusion is $13.61 million per individual ($27.22 million for a married couple). For 2025, it is approximately $13.99 million ($27.98 million married).

Are transfers to a surviving spouse taxed?

No. The Unlimited Marital Deduction allows a citizen spouse to inherit an unlimited amount of assets completely free of federal estate and gift taxes.

What is the maximum federal estate tax rate?

The top marginal federal estate tax bracket is 40% on taxable estate values exceeding $1,000,000 over the exemption limit.

Tax

↵ to calculate

Estate Tax Calculator — Federal Death & Inheritance Tax

Free U.S. estate tax calculator to estimate federal estate tax liability, lifetime gift deductions, and taxable estate value based on current IRS exemption thresholds.

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How to use this calculator

👉 Fill in the boxes below and your answer appears instantly — no maths needed, we do it all for you! 🎉

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In plain English — what does this do?

✨ This tool does the hard number work for you! Just fill in the boxes and you get your answer right away. No maths knowledge needed — it’s that simple!

📌 Direct Answer & Summary

The Estate Tax Calculator estimates federal estate tax (sometimes known as the federal death tax) owed on the net taxable assets of a deceased individual before distribution to beneficiaries.

IRS Tax Year Exemption

Marital Status & Portability

🏦 Gross Estate Assets

Real Estate & Homes ($)

Stocks, Bonds & Funds ($)

Bank Accounts & Cash ($)

Retirement Accounts (IRA/401k) ($)

Life Insurance Proceeds ($)

Vehicles, Business & Others ($)

📉 Deductions & Liabilities

Mortgages & Debts ($)

Charitable Bequests ($)

Funeral & Legal Admin Fees ($)

Lifetime Taxable Gifts Reported ($)

Gifts reported on IRS Form 709 exceeding annual gift exclusions

What is Estate Tax Calculator — Federal Death & Inheritance Tax?

The Estate Tax Calculator estimates federal estate tax (sometimes known as the federal death tax) owed on the net taxable assets of a deceased individual before distribution to beneficiaries.

How to use it

1️⃣ Input the fair market value of all assets (real estate, stocks, bank savings, retirement accounts, life insurance).
2️⃣ Subtract allowable deductions including outstanding debts, mortgages, funeral expenses, and charitable bequests.
3️⃣ Specify marital status to apply the Unlimited Marital Deduction or double exemption via portability.
4️⃣ Enter any cumulative taxable gifts made during the individual's lifetime.
5️⃣ Review the taxable estate balance and exact federal estate tax owed.

Formula

Gross Estate = Real Estate + Investments + Cash + Retirement + Insurance + Personal Assets. Net Estate = Gross Estate - (Debts + Funeral + Charity + Spousal Transfer). Taxable Estate = Max(0, Net Estate + Lifetime Gifts - Federal Exemption).

💡 See it in action — a real example

An estate valued at $16,000,000 with $1,000,000 in debts and $1,000,000 to charity has a net value of $14,000,000. Under a $13,610,000 exemption, taxable estate is $390,000. Estate tax owed = $70,800 + 34% × ($390,000 - $250,000) = $118,400.

❓ Common questions

What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2025/2026?: For 2024, the federal basic exclusion is $13.61 million per individual ($27.22 million for a married couple). For 2025, it is approximately $13.99 million ($27.98 million married).
Are transfers to a surviving spouse taxed?: No. The Unlimited Marital Deduction allows a citizen spouse to inherit an unlimited amount of assets completely free of federal estate and gift taxes.
What is the maximum federal estate tax rate?: The top marginal federal estate tax bracket is 40% on taxable estate values exceeding $1,000,000 over the exemption limit.