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.

State

Estate Value

Surviving Spouse?

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Charitable Gifts

Debts & Expenses

Calculate estate and inheritance taxes

Select your state, enter the estate value and marital status to see the federal and state estate tax and any inheritance tax that applies.

Examples:

General information about estate and inheritance taxes, not legal or tax advice. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions and a licensed tax professional for tax 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 Iowa repealed its inheritance tax effective 2025.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.

What Are Death Taxes?

Death taxes include both estate taxes and inheritance taxes. While often used interchangeably, they work differently: estate tax is paid by the estate before distribution, while inheritance tax is paid by beneficiaries on what they receive.

The federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding $15 million (2026), with a top rate of 40%. Surviving spouses can inherit unlimited amounts tax-free through the marital deduction.

12 states plus Washington DC impose their own estate taxes, often with much lower exemptions than the federal level. 5 states impose inheritance taxes based on beneficiary relationships, with closer relatives (spouses, children) often exempt.

Maryland is unique in having both an estate tax and an inheritance tax. Proper estate planning, including trusts and lifetime giving strategies, can significantly reduce or eliminate death tax liability.