Estate Tax Calculator (US Federal, 2026)
Estimate the federal estate tax on an estate in 2026.
Who pays federal estate tax
Only large estates owe federal estate tax. For people who die in 2026, the first $15 million is exempt (the basic exclusion amount), up from $13.99 million in 2025. Amounts above that are taxed at 40%.
What reduces the estate
- Debts, funeral and administration costs.
- Anything left to a US citizen spouse (the marital deduction) or to charity.
- A surviving spouse can add any unused exclusion of the late spouse if the election was made on time (portability).
Example
An $18 million estate with $300,000 of costs has a taxable estate of $17.7 million. That is $2.7 million over the exclusion, so the federal tax is about $1.08 million.
Some states charge their own estate or inheritance tax at much lower thresholds, which this calculator does not include. Estate planning is complex, so speak with an estate attorney for advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there tax on inheritances?
There is no federal inheritance tax. A few states charge one, usually on certain beneficiaries.
What is portability?
It lets a surviving spouse use a late spouse's unused exclusion. It needs an estate tax return filed for the first spouse.
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