Free Estate Tax Calculator Online
Use this free estate tax calculator to estimate your federal estate tax liability. Enter your total estate value, deductions, and select a tax year to see your taxable estate, federal estate tax owed, effective tax rate, and the net amount passing to your heirs.
Net Estate to Heirs
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How This Estate Tax Calculator Works
The estate tax calculator starts with your total estate value and subtracts any deductions or gifts to determine the adjusted gross estate. It then applies the federal exemption for your chosen tax year — $15 million for 2026. Only the amount exceeding the exemption is subject to the graduated estate tax rates.
Federal estate tax rates range from 18% to 40% and are applied progressively to the taxable estate. For example, a $17 million estate with $500,000 in deductions has an adjusted estate of $16.5 million. After the $15 million exemption, $1.5 million is taxable. The estate tax calculator applies the graduated rates to this amount and shows both the total tax and your effective rate.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed 2025) made the TCJA exemption permanent and raised it to $15 million per individual starting in 2026, with annual inflation adjustments going forward. Use the estate tax calculator to compare across years.
Federal Estate Tax Exemption by Year
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025) made the TCJA exemption permanent and raised it to $15 million for 2026, with future inflation adjustments. Use the estate tax calculator to compare years.
3 Estate Planning Strategies
Annual Gifting
The annual gift tax exclusion allows you to give $19,000 per person per year (2026) without using any of your lifetime exemption. A married couple can give $38,000 per recipient. Over 20 years, this can transfer significant wealth outside the taxable estate. Model the impact using the estate tax calculator deductions field.
Irrevocable Trusts
Assets placed in an irrevocable trust are removed from your taxable estate. Common strategies include Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) and Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs). These can freeze the value of appreciating assets and pass growth to heirs estate-tax-free.
Charitable Giving
Charitable bequests are fully deductible from the taxable estate. A Charitable Remainder Trust can provide income during your lifetime while reducing the estate tax bill. Enter charitable gifts as deductions in the estate tax calculator to see the tax savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This estate tax calculator provides estimates based on federal estate tax rules and is for educational purposes only. Estate tax law is complex and involves state taxes, portability elections, trust structures, and valuation rules. Consult an estate planning attorney or tax professional for personalized advice.
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