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Estate Planning · Transfer Tax

Estate Tax
Liability

The federal estate tax applies only above a very large exemption, currently 15 million dollars per individual and 30 million for a married couple using portability, and it is permanent. This works out the taxable estate after deductions, applies the exemption including any deceased spousal unused amount, and adds a state-level estate or inheritance tax where one applies.

Data: 2026 (exemption $15M single, $30M married, permanent; top rate 40%). The federal exemption is permanent and is indexed for inflation beginning in 2027.

Estate and Deductions STEP 1
Portability lets a surviving spouse use the deceased spouse's unused exemption.
All assets at date of death value, including life insurance you own and non-probate transfers.
Deductible under section 2053.
Deductible under section 2053.
Unlimited for a US citizen spouse.
Unlimited for qualifying transfers.
Lifetime gifts above the annual exclusion, added back to the base.
Reduces the remaining exemption.
Portability only, from a timely filed 706 on the first death.
Federal Exemption and Rate STEP 2
2026 permanent amount. Overridable.
State Estate and Inheritance Tax STEP 3
Highly state-specific.
Flat-rate simplification, stated as such.
Inheritance tax base. Spouses and often children are exempt.

This is an illustrative estimate, not legal or tax advice. Estate outcomes depend on state law, titling, and beneficiary designations. Consult an estate attorney.

This is an illustrative estimate, not tax advice. Treatment depends on your full facts and on current IRS guidance, which can change. Consult a CPA or tax attorney.

Estimated Total Transfer Tax
--
Federal, after the state deduction, plus state estate and inheritance tax
Estimated Net to Heirs
--
Effective rate on the gross estate
Exemption Headroom
--
A neutral figure, not a call to action
Detail
Adjusted gross estate--
Taxable estate--
Available exemption, including DSUE--
Amount above the exemption--
Federal estate tax, before the state deduction--
Federal estate tax, after the state deduction--
State estate tax--
State inheritance tax--
One-sentence whyThe graduated brackets below the exemption are irrelevant in practice because the unified credit consumes them.
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