Estate Tax Calculator

With the federal estate tax exemption potentially dropping from ~$13.6M to ~$7M per person in 2026, estate tax planning is more urgent than ever. This calculator estimates your federal estate tax liability and helps identify how much of your estate is exposed to the 40% tax rate.

Our free Estate Tax Calculator helps you estimate costs based on 5 key financial variables. The calculator provides 3 detailed outputs based on current rates and financial benchmarks.

Enter your details to get estimates based on current financial data as of 2026.

What you'll learn:

• Accurate estate tax calculator estimates based on your specific inputs
• Low, average, and high cost ranges for budgeting
• How local factors impact pricing
• Strategies for maximizing your financial outcome

Understanding the cost breakdown helps you budget effectively for your estate tax calculator project. Here are the typical cost components:

Our estate tax calculator uses a multi-variable formula that accounts for the following inputs:

1. Scenario Complexity — Choose from: Basic / Standard, Typical, Advanced / Complex
2. Gross Estate Value ($) — Range: 0 to 500,000,000
3. Debts & Liabilities ($) — Range: 0 to 50,000,000
4. Charitable Gifts ($) — Range: 0 to 50,000,000
5. Marital Deduction ($) — Amount passing to surviving spouse

Based on your inputs, the calculator provides:

• Taxable Estate — Dollar amount based on current market rates
• Estimated Federal Estate Tax — Dollar amount based on current market rates
• Effective Tax Rate — Percentage value

All calculations incorporate location-specific cost adjustments when a ZIP code is provided, using data from industry databases updated for 2026.

Calculates federal estate tax liability by determining gross estate value, subtracting allowable deductions (debts, expenses, charitable bequests, marital deduction), applying the unified credit (lifetime exemption), and computing tax on the taxable estate at graduated rates up to 40%.

Data Sources:

• IRS Publication 559 and Form 706 instructions for estate tax calculation
• Tax Foundation analysis of estate tax exemption levels and effective rates
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) practice guidelines

Key Assumptions:

• The 2026 federal estate tax exemption is projected at approximately $7 million per individual (post-TCJA sunset) or $14 million per married couple with portability
• Federal estate tax rate is 40% on taxable estate above the exemption amount
• State estate taxes apply in 12 states + DC with exemptions ranging from $1M (Oregon, Massachusetts) to equal to federal

Several factors influence your estate tax calculator estimate:

Scenario Complexity

Ranges from "Basic / Standard" to "Advanced / Complex." Choosing Advanced / Complex can cost 1.5x more than Basic / Standard.

Gross Estate Value ($)

A key variable in determining your estate tax calculator estimate.

Debts & Liabilities ($)

A key variable in determining your estate tax calculator estimate.

Charitable Gifts ($)

A key variable in determining your estate tax calculator estimate.

Marital Deduction ($)

Amount passing to surviving spouse

Market Conditions

Interest rates, inflation, and economic indicators fluctuate over time and directly affect your results. Federal Reserve policy changes can shift rates within weeks.

Time Horizon

Longer time horizons amplify the effect of compound interest and rate changes. Even small rate differences compound into significant dollar amounts over years.

After you run the calculator, your results include interactive sections that help you make informed decisions:

Financial Breakdown

Your results separate principal from interest (or contributions from earnings) so you can see exactly how your money is working. Understanding this split helps you evaluate whether refinancing, extra payments, or alternative strategies could save you money over time.

Visual Chart

Charts make it easy to grasp the relationship between what you pay and what you owe (or what you save and what you earn). A quick look at the visual split helps you decide whether your current approach is on track or whether adjustments to your payment or contribution strategy could improve your outcome.

Save and Share Your Results

Download your complete results as a CSV spreadsheet or PDF report. The PDF includes all your inputs and key results — ready to share with financial advisors or anyone else who needs to review the numbers. No account or signup required.

Here are proven strategies to reduce your costs:

1. Compare Rates from Multiple Lenders: Shop rates from at least 3 lenders. Even a 0.25% difference in interest rate can save thousands over time.
2. Automate Your Savings: Set up automatic transfers to savings or investment accounts. Consistent contributions compound significantly over time.
3. Maximize Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Contribute to 401(k) up to employer match, then fund IRA/Roth IRA. Tax-advantaged growth accelerates your returns.
4. Reduce High-Interest Debt First: Pay off credit cards and high-APR loans before investing. Eliminating 18-25% APR debt is a guaranteed return.
5. Review Fees and Expense Ratios: High fund fees erode returns. Index funds with 0.03-0.10% expense ratios outperform most actively managed funds over time.
6. Use Balance Transfer Offers Strategically: 0% APR balance transfer offers can save hundreds in interest — but pay off before the promotional period ends.