Estimate US federal estate tax for a 2026 death.
Federal estate tax applies to estates above the 2026 exclusion of $15 million per person. A $20 million estate with $1.5 million of debts and charitable gifts owes about $1,400,000.00.
The US federal estate tax is charged on the value of a person's estate above a basic exclusion amount — $15 million for deaths in 2026. This calculator subtracts debts, expenses, spousal bequests and charitable gifts, adds taxable lifetime gifts, and applies the 40% top rate to the amount over the exclusion.
Assets left to a US-citizen spouse are deductible, and a surviving spouse may be able to use a deceased spouse's unused exclusion (portability). Several states have their own estate or inheritance taxes at lower thresholds. This is an estimate — consult an estate attorney. For retirement planning see the Retirement Calculator.
The calculator applies the standard financial formulas step by step.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross estate | $20,000,000.00 |
| Less debts and expenses | −$500,000.00 |
| Less spousal bequests | −$0.00 |
| Less charitable bequests | −$1,000,000.00 |
| Taxable estate | $18,500,000.00 |
| Plus taxable lifetime gifts | $0.00 |
| Total for estate tax | $18,500,000.00 |
| Basic exclusion amount | $15,000,000.00 |
| Amount over the exclusion | $3,500,000.00 |
| Estimated estate tax | $1,400,000.00 |
| Effective rate on the gross estate | 7% |
| Case | Estimated tax |
|---|---|
| Estate $12M | $0.00 |
| Estate $16M | $400,000.00 |
| Estate $20M | $2,000,000.00 |
| Estate $20M, $1M charity | $1,600,000.00 |
| Estate $30M | $5,400,000.00 |
$15 million per person for deaths in 2026, which can be doubled for a married couple using portability.
The top federal rate is 40% on the amount above the exclusion.
Bequests to a US-citizen spouse qualify for an unlimited marital deduction, so no federal estate tax is due on them.
A surviving spouse can claim the unused part of a deceased spouse's exclusion by filing an estate tax return.
Yes, in some states, often with lower thresholds than the federal exclusion. This calculator covers only the federal tax.
Taxable gifts above the annual gift-tax exclusion reduce the exclusion available at death.
It uses the standard formula: tax = max(0, taxable estate + taxable gifts − exclusion) × 40% The full method and a worked example are shown on this page.
No. The calculator gives estimates for planning and learning. Real offers vary by lender, product and date, so confirm the details with your bank, lender or a qualified adviser before deciding.
Yes. The maths is identical in any currency; only the currency symbol shown in the results differs.
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing you enter is uploaded or saved.
