Federal Estate Tax Calculator (2026)

Rough federal estate tax using the 2026 $15.00M exemption and 40% top rate.

Inputs

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$
$
Federal estate tax
$1,920,000.00
Taxable estate $4,800,000.00
Exemption used
$15,000,000.00
To heirs
$17,880,000.00

How it works

Taxable estate = gross − deductions − 2026 exemption ($15,000,000.00). Tax = taxable × 40% top federal rate. States may impose additional estate/inheritance tax.

Frequently asked questions

Are these amounts an exact tax bill?

No. They use verified 2026 IRS/SSA figures but ignore credits, phase-outs and AMT. Use tax software or a CPA to file.

Marginal vs effective rate?

Marginal is the rate on your next dollar. Effective is total tax ÷ taxable income — always lower because earlier brackets fill first.

Standard or itemized?

Take whichever is larger. 2026 standard deduction: Single $16,100 · MFJ $32,200 · HoH $24,150 · MFS $16,100.

How is state tax handled?

Eight states impose no income tax. The rest are approximated at their top rate — see your state's brackets for a precise figure.

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