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Estate Tax Calculator

Taxable estate after the exemption, and the tax due.

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Assets in the estate

Deductions

Exemption

Portability is not automatic — an estate tax return must be filed to elect it, even when no tax is owed.

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LineAmount

Estimated estate tax

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Gross estate—
Total deductions—
Net estate—
Exemption available—
Taxable estate—
Passes to heirs—
Effective rate on the estate—
Headroom below the exemption—

Quick Tool Overview

The Estate Tax Calculator totals estate assets, subtracts debts, expenses and charitable or spousal transfers, and applies the lifetime exemption to estimate the federal estate tax due — with portability and a lower future exemption both modellable.

What it does
Estimates federal estate tax after deductions and the exemption
You give it
Estate assets, debts, deductions and the exemption to apply
You get back
The taxable estate and the estimated tax
Best for
Estate planning conversations and scenario testing
Calculators Free, unlimited use No sign-up Runs in your browser

About the Estate Tax Calculator

Add up the assets in the estate, subtract debts, expenses and any charitable or spousal transfers, and the calculator applies the lifetime exemption to what remains to estimate the federal estate tax due.

Most estates owe nothing, because the federal exemption is large and transfers to a spouse are unlimited. The two things that most often change that are portability, where a surviving spouse can claim their deceased partner unused exemption and effectively double the threshold, and the scheduled reduction of the exemption when current provisions expire. The calculator lets you set the exemption directly so you can model both today rules and a lower future threshold, which is what most estate planning conversations actually turn on.

Key features of the Estate Tax Calculator

Portability modelled

A surviving spouse can claim their partner unused exemption, effectively doubling the threshold — if the election is made.

Exemption as an input

Model today rules or a lower future threshold, which is what most planning discussions actually turn on.

Unlimited spousal transfer

Transfers to a spouse are deducted in full, which is why most estates owe nothing at the first death.

Life insurance included

A policy owned by the deceased counts towards the estate, which surprises people planning without a trust.

Deductions itemised

Debts, funeral costs, administration expenses and charitable gifts as separate lines.

How to use the Estate Tax Calculator

  1. 1

    List the estate assets

    Property, investments, business interests, life insurance owned by the deceased, and personal property.

  2. 2

    Subtract the deductions

    Debts, funeral and administration expenses, and charitable or spousal transfers.

  3. 3

    Set the exemption

    The current lifetime exemption, doubled if portability from a deceased spouse applies.

  4. 4

    Read the tax due

    The taxable estate above the exemption and the estimated federal tax on it.

Frequently asked questions

The federal exemption is large and indexed annually, and most estates fall well below it. Amounts above it are taxed at rates rising to forty percent. Some states levy their own estate or inheritance tax at much lower thresholds.

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