Estate Tax Calculator

Use our free estate tax calculator to estimate the federal estate tax on an estate. Enter the gross estate value, deductions, and lifetime exemption to see your estimated tax liability.

Financial

Currency

Gross Estate Value

Total Deductions

Lifetime Exemption

Formula

The federal estate tax is a tax on the transfer of a deceased person's estate. The tax applies only to estates exceeding the lifetime exemption amount. Rates range from 18% to 40% on the taxable portion.

Taxable estate = Gross estate - Deductions - Lifetime exemption; Tax = progressive rates 18%-40%

Percentage: The percentage value you want to apply

Number: The original number or value

Result: The calculated result

How It Works

1Enter the total gross value of the estate (all assets, property, investments).
2Enter total deductions (debts, funeral costs, charitable bequests).
3Enter the applicable lifetime exemption (currently $13.61 million for 2024).
4The calculator applies progressive estate tax rates to the taxable estate.

Examples

$15M estate, $13.61M exemption, no deductions

1.Gross estate: $15,000,000
2.Taxable estate: $15,000,000 - $13,610,000 = $1,390,000
3.Estate tax at 40%: $556,000

Result: $556,000 estate tax

$20M estate with $2M deductions and $13.61M exemption

1.Adjusted estate: $20M - $2M = $18M
2.Taxable: $18M - $13.61M = $4,390,000
3.Estate tax at 40%: $1,756,000

Result: $1,756,000 estate tax

Frequently Asked Questions

The estate tax is paid from the estate's assets before distribution to beneficiaries. The executor or personal representative files the return and pays the tax.

Strategies include: annual gifting ($17,000 per person per year tax-free), charitable donations, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, and business succession planning.

Some states impose their own estate or inheritance tax with lower exemptions than the federal level (e.g., Oregon, Massachusetts). Inheritance tax is paid by the recipient, not the estate.

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Estate Tax Planning Guide

CalculateMe Team

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Examples

$15M estate, $13.61M exemption, no deductions

1.Gross estate: $15,000,000
2.Taxable estate: $15,000,000 - $13,610,000 = $1,390,000
3.Estate tax at 40%: $556,000

Result: $556,000 estate tax

$20M estate with $2M deductions and $13.61M exemption

1.Adjusted estate: $20M - $2M = $18M
2.Taxable: $18M - $13.61M = $4,390,000
3.Estate tax at 40%: $1,756,000

Result: $1,756,000 estate tax

Frequently Asked Questions

The estate tax is paid from the estate's assets before distribution to beneficiaries. The executor or personal representative files the return and pays the tax.

Strategies include: annual gifting ($17,000 per person per year tax-free), charitable donations, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, and business succession planning.

Some states impose their own estate or inheritance tax with lower exemptions than the federal level (e.g., Oregon, Massachusetts). Inheritance tax is paid by the recipient, not the estate.

Estate Tax Calculator

Formula

How It Works

Examples

$15M estate, $13.61M exemption, no deductions

$20M estate with $2M deductions and $13.61M exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays the estate tax?

How can I reduce my estate tax liability?

Does my state impose an estate or inheritance tax?

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Estate Tax Calculator

Formula

How It Works

Examples

$15M estate, $13.61M exemption, no deductions

$20M estate with $2M deductions and $13.61M exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays the estate tax?

How can I reduce my estate tax liability?

Does my state impose an estate or inheritance tax?

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