What is the estate tax exemption for 2026?

$15 million per person, set permanently by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and indexed for inflation from 2027. Married couples can shelter up to $30 million.

Do heirs pay income tax on an inheritance?

Generally no. Inherited assets usually get a stepped-up cost basis, but traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are taxed as income when the heirs withdraw.

Are these calculators free?

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Calculations run in your browser. Share links put inputs in the URL, which can be read by anyone you send it to and is sent to the hosting server when opened. Avoid sharing sensitive numbers. Currency conversion requests public exchange rates.

How accurate are the results?

Results follow the formulas and assumptions shown, with normal rounding and numerical limits. Taxes, rates and health guidance can change, so treat these as estimates and confirm important decisions with a qualified professional.

Estate Tax Calculator

Estimate federal estate tax with the 2026 $15 million exemption.

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Estate Tax Calculator

Federal estate tax due above the 2026 exemption

Real estate

Stocks, bonds and funds

Cash and savings

Retirement accounts

Life insurance you own

Business and other assets

Debts and mortgages

Funeral and settlement costs

Charitable bequests

Left to a US citizen spouse

Unlimited marital deduction.

Lifetime taxable gifts

Gifts above the annual exclusion since 1977 ($19,000 per person in 2026).

Estimated federal estate tax

Below the exemption: no federal estate tax

Gross estate: $7,000,000
Deductions: -$450,000
Taxable estate: $6,550,000
Plus lifetime taxable gifts: $0
2026 exemption: $15,000,000
Amount over the exemption: $0
Left to heirs after tax: $6,550,000

2026 basic exclusion $15,000,000 per person (One Big Beautiful Bill Act; indexed for inflation after 2026). Above it, the top 40% rate applies. A surviving spouse can also use the unused exemption (portability). About a dozen states and DC have their own estate or inheritance tax with lower thresholds. Not legal or tax advice.

Gross estate

To heirs$6,550,000
Estate tax$0.00
Deductions$450,000

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How the estate tax calculator works

The federal estate tax applies to the value of everything you own at death, minus debts, final costs, charitable gifts and anything left to a US citizen spouse. Taxable gifts made during your life are added back, because the estate and gift tax share one lifetime exemption.

In 2026 the exemption is $15 million per person ($30 million for a married couple using portability). The rate schedule runs from 18% to 40%, but because the exemption covers the lower brackets, every dollar above the exemption is effectively taxed at 40%.

Using and checking your result

Published by JustYourCalculator. Check the units and assumptions above, and compare a known example before relying on the output. Calculations use browser arithmetic and may round displayed values.

This is an educational estimate, not a lender quote, tax filing calculation or investment recommendation. Actual costs depend on current rules, fees and your circumstances. Verify important decisions with official sources and a qualified adviser.

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