Taxes & Income

Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator

Calculate federal estate tax liabilities above the lifetime exemption limit ($13.

What this calculator does

The Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator estimates your result instantly from the values you enter, using standard taxes & income formulas. Calculate federal estate tax liabilities above the lifetime exemption limit ($13. Calculations run in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to a server, and the output is an estimate for planning rather than financial advice.

About Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator

The Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator computes federal estate tax liabilities (top rate 40%) for net estates exceeding statutory lifetime exemption thresholds, and evaluates state-level estate/inheritance taxes.

Formula & Mathematical Calculation

Taxable Estate Value = Gross Estate Assets - Debts & Mortgages - Marital / Charitable Deductions - Lifetime Exemption

Federal Estate Tax = Taxable Estate Value × 40%

Calculation Example

$16,000,000 Net Estate (Single, $13.61M Federal Exemption): Taxable Estate = $2,390,000 → Federal Estate Tax = $956,000.00 (94.0% of estate passes to heirs tax-free!).

Key Benefits

  • Calculates federal estate tax using current IRS statutory lifetime exemption limits
  • Accounts for unlimited marital deduction and charitable bequests
  • Identifies states with independent state estate and inheritance taxes
  • Essential for high-net-worth estate planning and wealth transfer
  • Confidential and free tool

How to Use this Calculator

  1. Enter Total Gross Estate Value
    Input real estate, investment accounts, business equity, and cash.
  2. Enter Estate Debts & Mortgages
    Input outstanding liabilities.
  3. Apply Marital / Charitable Deductions
    Deduct spousal and non-profit transfers.
  4. Calculate Estate Tax
    Click Calculate to view federal and state estate tax estimates.

Assumptions & Limitations

What the calculation assumes

  • Every value you enter is treated as an exact, known amount.
  • Rates and contributions are assumed to stay constant for the whole period unless the form asks for them separately.
  • Results use standard financial formulas and ignore fees, penalties and promotional terms that are not entered above.
  • Inflation, tax changes and market volatility are not modelled unless a field for them is provided.
  • Amounts are unit-agnostic: results are returned in the same currency you enter.

What it does not cover

  • Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator produces estimates for education and planning, not a quote, offer or professional advice.
  • Real-world outcomes differ when fees, taxes, rounding rules or provider-specific terms apply.
  • Local regulations and tax rules vary by country and change over time; verify current rules for your jurisdiction.
  • Figures are only as accurate as the inputs you supply — check them before acting on the result.
  • For decisions with lasting financial impact, confirm the numbers with a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Estate tax is levied against the deceased person's overall estate before assets are distributed to beneficiaries. Inheritance tax is paid by the individual beneficiary who receives inherited money or property.

For federal estate tax, an individual can transfer up to $13.61 million (for 2024, or $27.22 million for a married couple) before federal estate taxes (up to 40%) apply. Most estates fall well below this federal threshold.

Only six states currently levy a state inheritance tax: Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Tax rates and exemptions depend heavily on the beneficiary's familial relationship to the deceased.

Inherited assets (real estate, stocks) receive a stepped-up cost basis to their fair market value on the date of the original owner's death, permanently eliminating all capital gains taxes accrued during the decedent's lifetime.

You May Also Need

Property Tax Calculator

Calculate annual and monthly property taxes based on assessed home value, county...
Reverse Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate the original pre-tax price and isolate the exact sales tax paid from a...
1099 Contractor Tax Calculator

Calculate total federal, state, and self-employment taxes owed on 1099 independe...

Next step: browse the full Taxes & Income calculators or read the related guides for context before you decide.