Finance category
Mortgage, loan, investing, tax, and money calculators.
Inheritance Tax Calculator
Estimate the total estate tax bill from federal and state taxes on a transferred estate. Use the federal exemption ($13.99M individual in 2026) and your state's separate exemption.
2026: ~$13.99M individual
varies by state
Net to heirs
$4,500,000
after estate tax
Total estate tax
$0
0.0% effective
Federal tax
$0
State tax
$0
Estate vs inheritance tax
Federal: estate tax — paid by the estate before heirs receive anything. Currently no federal inheritance tax (paid by recipient). Federal exemption is $13.99M per individual in 2026 (sunsets after 2025; many estates plan around lower future limits).
State rules vary widely. Some states have estate tax (MA, OR, WA, NY), some have inheritance tax paid by recipients (NJ, KY, PA, IA, MD, NE), some have neither. Check your specific state for accurate planning.
EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.
Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.
Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.
How this calculator works
What this page estimates
This Inheritance Tax Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for inheritance tax. Estimate the total estate tax bill from federal and state taxes on a transferred estate. Use the federal exemption ($13.99M individual in 2026) and your state's separate exemption. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.
Calculation approach
The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.
Example workflow
For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.
Practical checks
- Use current, real-world numbers when the result affects money, health, tax, or legal decisions.
- Run a low, base, and high case when the inputs are estimates.
- Check the related calculators below when the next decision depends on a different assumption.
How to interpret the inheritance tax result
Best use
Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.
Cross-check
Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.
Watch for
Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.
This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.
Before relying on this inheritance tax estimate
Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.
Confirm source numbers
Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.
Separate cash flow from total cost
A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.
Run conservative cases
Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.
Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.
How to Use
- Enter the total estate value (assets minus debts).
- Enter the federal estate exemption (2026: about $13.99M individual).
- Enter the federal estate tax rate (currently 40% on amounts above exemption).
- Enter your state exemption and rate if applicable.
- Read total tax and net to heirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate tax vs inheritance tax — what's the difference?
Estate tax is paid by the estate before heirs receive anything. Inheritance tax is paid by the recipient on what they receive. Federal has only estate tax. Some states have one or the other (or both).
What's the federal estate exemption?
About $13.99M per individual in 2026, $27.98M per couple. The exemption is scheduled to drop to roughly $7M per individual after 2025 unless Congress extends it. Many estate plans assume the lower future amount.
Which states have estate or inheritance tax?
Estate tax states: CT, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MN, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA, DC. Inheritance tax states: IA, KY, MD, NE, NJ, PA. MD has both. State rates and exemptions vary widely.
How can I reduce estate tax?
Annual gifting (up to $19k per recipient in 2026 without using exemption), irrevocable trusts, charitable bequests, life insurance trusts (ILITs), generation-skipping trusts. Strategy depends on estate size and goals — get specialized estate planning advice.
Related Calculators
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Capital gains on sold assets vs estate tax on transfer.
Cost Basis Calculator
Stepped-up basis on inherited assets.
Net Worth Calculator
Calculate the estate value across all assets and debts.
Home Sale Tax Calculator
Tax on selling inherited real estate.
Tax Bracket Calculator
Income tax bracket for the estate's final return.
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Income tax planning for high earners using exemptions.
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