Estate Tax Calculator USA 2026 — Free
Calculate your 2026 federal estate tax liability using the OBBBA-raised exemption of $15 million per person ($30M married couples). See your tax owed, effective rate, and how the new law compares to 2025 limits.
Your 2026 Estate Tax Summary
Under old 2025 exemption ($13.99M):
The OBBBA permanently raised the federal estate tax exemption to $15 million per person in 2026 — up from $13.99 million in 2025. Married couples can shield up to $30 million. The annual gift exclusion also rose to $19,000 per recipient. Most estates remain well below the threshold, but proper planning is essential for high-net-worth individuals.
How It Works
- Enter the total gross value of all assets in the estate
- Enter allowable deductions: debts, marital deduction, and charitable bequests
- Enter prior taxable gifts (from Form 709) to calculate remaining exemption
- View your estate tax owed, effective rate, and savings under the new OBBBA law
Understanding the 2026 Federal Estate Tax
The federal estate tax — sometimes called the "death tax" — applies to the transfer of wealth from a deceased person's estate to their heirs. Only estates exceeding the lifetime exemption threshold owe any federal estate tax. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently raised that threshold to $15 million per person in 2026, up from $13.99 million in 2025 and far above the $5.49 million level before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This change effectively eliminates federal estate tax concerns for the vast majority of American families.
Key 2026 Estate Tax Numbers
| Item | 2025 (Old Law) | 2026 (OBBBA) |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime exemption (single) | $13,990,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Lifetime exemption (married) | $27,980,000 | $30,000,000 |
| Annual gift exclusion | $18,000 | $19,000 |
| Top estate tax rate | 40% | 40% |
| Annual exclusion (married, gift splitting) | $36,000/recipient | $38,000/recipient |
What Counts as Part of the Gross Estate?
Your gross estate includes virtually everything you own or have an interest in at death: real estate (at fair market value), bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s — note these also have income tax implications for heirs), life insurance proceeds if you owned the policy, business interests, personal property (vehicles, jewelry, art), and your share of jointly-owned assets. Many people are surprised to find their estate is larger than expected once life insurance and retirement accounts are included. For estate tax planning, consider using our tax refund calculator alongside this tool to understand your full tax picture.
Key Deductions That Reduce Your Taxable Estate
Several deductions can significantly reduce your taxable estate. The unlimited marital deduction allows you to pass any amount to a surviving US citizen spouse completely free of estate tax — deferring the tax until the second death. The charitable deduction covers any bequests to qualified nonprofit organizations. Debts and expenses include mortgages, personal loans, funeral costs, and estate administrative expenses (attorney and executor fees). The state estate tax deduction applies in states with their own estate taxes. Proper use of these deductions can dramatically reduce or eliminate estate tax liability. If the SALT deduction affects your planning, see our SALT cap calculator for the 2026 income tax picture.
The Unified Gift and Estate Tax System
The estate tax and gift tax share a single lifetime exemption — currently $15 million. Every taxable gift you make during your lifetime (gifts exceeding the $19,000 annual exclusion per recipient) reduces your remaining estate tax exemption dollar-for-dollar. This is tracked on IRS Form 709. For example, if you made $3 million in prior taxable gifts, your estate's remaining exemption is $12 million. Strategic gifting during life — particularly gifts of appreciating assets — can be highly effective: future appreciation on gifted assets escapes both estate and gift tax. The annual exclusion ($19,000 per recipient) allows unlimited giving without using any lifetime exemption.
States with Their Own Estate Taxes
Twelve states and the District of Columbia impose their own estate taxes, separate from the federal tax, often with much lower exemptions. This calculator covers only federal estate tax. If you live in or own property in Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, or DC, you may owe state estate tax even if your estate is well below the $15 million federal threshold. Massachusetts and Oregon have the lowest exemptions at $1 million. Consult an estate planning attorney in your state for a complete picture.
Sources: IRS Form 706 Instructions, IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-XX (2026 inflation adjustments), One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) — estate and gift tax provisions, IRS Publication 559 (Survivors, Executors, and Administrators).
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