Estate Tax Calculator
Calculate federal and state estate taxes. Understand exemptions, marital deductions, and portability for estate planning.
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
Include all assets: real estate, investments, retirement accounts, life insurance, business interests, etc.
Filing Status & Location
Deductions
Estate Tax Calculation
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
Quick Answer
Federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding $13.61 million (2024) at rates up to 40%. Most estates pay no federal tax due to high exemption. State taxes vary. Use our calculator to estimate potential liability.
Key Facts
- Federal exemption: $13.61 million per person (2024)
- Maximum federal rate: 40% on amount over exemption
- Married couples can combine exemptions ($27.22 million)
- Exemption scheduled to decrease in 2026
- 12 states plus DC have separate estate taxes
- Gifts reduce estate but annual limit is $18,000/person
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).
Estate Tax Summary
Total Estate Tax
$2,490,000
12.6% effective rate
Net to Heirs
$17,345,000
86.7% of gross estate