How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Estimate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax (sometimes called death taxes) for an estate or trust. See which apply in your state and how much beneficiaries may owe.
Frequently Asked Questions
The federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per person in 2026, permanently set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21 §70106). Married couples can effectively shield $30 million using portability. Estates below this threshold are not subject to federal estate tax. The exemption is indexed to inflation for future years.
Estate tax is paid by the estate itself before assets are distributed to heirs. It is based on the total estate value. Inheritance tax is paid by individual beneficiaries on what they receive, with rates varying by their relationship to the deceased. Some states have estate tax, some have inheritance tax, and Maryland has both.
12 states plus Washington DC have estate taxes: Connecticut, Washington DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Exemptions range from $1 million (Oregon) to $15 million (Connecticut). Top rates run from 12% to 20%.
5 states have inheritance taxes: Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Iowa repealed its inheritance tax effective 2025. Rates and exemptions vary by beneficiary relationship, with spouses typically fully exempt and distant relatives or unrelated beneficiaries paying the highest rates.
Gift tax and estate tax work together. Gifts above the annual exclusion ($19,000 per recipient in 2026) must be reported on Form 709 even when no tax is owed. The IRS uses adjusted taxable gifts made during life in the computation of estate tax at death (IRS Estate Tax FAQ), so lifetime gifts reduce what the estate can shield from tax. Recipients of a gift generally don't owe federal income tax on what they receive.
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Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
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Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
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Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.
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Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
