Estate Tax Calculator
Calculate federal and state estate taxes. Understand exemptions, marital deductions, and portability for estate planning.
Formula:Taxable Estate = Gross Estate - Deductions - Exemption
Estate Tax Summary
Total Estate Tax
$2,490,000
12.6% effective rate
Net to Heirs
$17,345,000
86.7% of gross estate
Gross Estate$20,000,000
Taxable Estate$19,835,000
Federal Tax$2,490,000
State Tax$0
Gross Estate
Total value of all assets
$
Include all assets: real estate, investments, retirement accounts, life insurance, business interests, etc.
Filing Status & Location
Marital status and state residence
Deductions
Debts, expenses, and charitable gifts
$
Estate Tax Calculation
Gross Estate$20,000,000
- Total Deductions-$165,000
= Taxable Estate$19,835,000
Federal Exemption$13,610,000
Federal Taxable Amount$6,225,000
Federal Estate Tax$2,490,000
Total Estate Tax$2,490,000
Net to Heirs$17,345,000
Estate Distribution
Federal Estate Tax Brackets (2024)
| Taxable Amount | Marginal Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $10,000 | 18% |
| $10,001 - $20,000 | 20% |
| $20,001 - $40,000 | 22% |
| $40,001 - $60,000 | 24% |
| $60,001 - $80,000 | 26% |
| $80,001 - $100,000 | 28% |
| $100,001 - $150,000 | 30% |
| $150,001 - $250,000 | 32% |
| $250,001 - $500,000 | 34% |
| $500,001 - $750,000 | 37% |
| $750,001 - $1,000,000 | 39% |
| Over $1,000,000 | 40% |
Note: The unified credit effectively exempts the first $13.61 million from federal estate tax.
Estate Planning Opportunities
- •Consider irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) to remove policy proceeds from estate
- •Annual gift exclusions ($18,000/person in 2024) can reduce estate over time
- •Charitable remainder trusts can provide income and reduce estate
- •Consider grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) for appreciating assets
- •Family limited partnerships can provide valuation discounts
* Consult with a qualified estate planning attorney and tax advisor for personalized advice.
Estate Tax Summary
Total Estate Tax
$2,490,000
12.6% effective rate
Net to Heirs
$17,345,000
86.7% of gross estate
Gross Estate$20,000,000
Taxable Estate$19,835,000
Federal Tax$2,490,000
State Tax$0
Adjust Gross Estate Value
See how estate value affects federal and state tax liability
$5,000,000$20,000,000$50,000,000
Personalized Insights
2 insights based on your inputs
Heads Up
Your estate exceeds the federal exemption by $6,225,000, resulting in $2,490,000 in federal estate tax (12.6% effective rate).
Note
Your heirs will receive $17,345,000 (86.7% of your gross estate) after taxes and deductions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For 2024, the federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million per person ($27.22 million for married couples using portability). Estates below this amount pay no federal estate tax. The exemption is scheduled to drop to approximately $7 million in 2026 when current law sunsets.
Portability allows a surviving spouse to use their deceased spouse's unused estate tax exemption. If one spouse dies using only $5 million of their exemption, the surviving spouse can port the remaining $8.61 million, effectively doubling their exemption. Requires filing Form 706 at first death.
As of 2024, 12 states and DC have estate taxes: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and DC. Exemptions range from $1 million (Oregon) to $13.61 million (Connecticut). Maryland also has an inheritance tax.
Assets passing to a U.S. citizen spouse qualify for an unlimited marital deduction, meaning no estate tax is due on those assets. This defers tax until the surviving spouse's death. Non-citizen spouses may use a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT) to obtain the deduction.
Strategies include: annual gifts ($18,000/person tax-free), charitable giving, irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), family limited partnerships, qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), and spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs).
How this works
Calculations are run entirely in your browser. No inputs are sent to our servers and no account is required. Formulas follow standard US definitions from the IRS and the CFPB where applicable; international users should confirm local tax and regulatory rules apply.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This is a software engineering tool, not financial advice. Run the math here, then take the result to a certified financial planner, CPA, or your bank before making a decision that materially affects your money.
Sources
- [1]Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Official sourceconsumerfinance.govAccessed Apr 21, 2026
US consumer finance regulator; authoritative on mortgage disclosures, APR rules, credit cards.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).
Estate Tax Summary
Total Estate Tax
$2,490,000
12.6% effective rate
Net to Heirs
$17,345,000
86.7% of gross estate
Gross Estate$20,000,000
Taxable Estate$19,835,000
Federal Tax$2,490,000
State Tax$0