Estate Tax Exemption Calculator

2026

Calculate estate tax with 2026 exemption ($15M) and 2026 sunset. See portability for married couples.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications

$
Filing Status

2026 Exemption

$15.0M

Taxable Estate (2026)

$0.00

Estate Tax (2026)

$0.00

2026 Estate Tax

Gross Estate$15,000,000.00
2026 Exemption$15,000,000.00
Taxable Estate$0.00
Estate Tax (40%)$0.00

2026 Sunset Impact

Post-Sunset Estimated Exemption$7,000,000.00
Taxable Estate (Post-Sunset)$8,000,000.00
Estate Tax (Post-Sunset)$3,200,000.00
Additional Tax After Sunset$3,200,000.00

Planning Considerations

Use exemption before 2026Gift assets now while exemption is high
Irrevocable trustRemove assets from taxable estate
Anti-clawback ruleIRS confirmed gifts made under higher exemption are protected

Use the Estate Tax Exemption Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Estate planning hinges on a moving target in 2026, when both the exemption amount and a looming 'sunset' provision reshape who owes federal estate tax. This tool estimates that potential liability using the projected $15 million individual exemption for 2026, giving families a way to weigh future implications before the rules harden into reality.

The estimate applies the 2026 projected individual exemption of $15 million, adjusted for inflation, against a top federal estate tax rate of 40%. Married couples get the benefit of portability, which lets a surviving spouse carry over any unused portion of the deceased spouse's exemption. Mechanically, the applicable exemption or exemptions are subtracted from the gross estate value, and the rate is applied only to whatever taxable amount remains.

Because state estate taxes vary widely and aren't reflected here, treat the output as an estimate rather than a final number. Portability is easy to lose by accident: the election has to be made on the estate's return for the surviving spouse to claim the unused exemption, so it's worth confirming your plan provides for it. For decisions this consequential, a qualified estate planning attorney or financial advisor should weigh in on your specific situation.

Example: Married Couple with a $25 Million Estate in 2026

  1. 1 Input: A married couple has a combined estate value of $25,000,000. Both spouses pass away in 2026, with the first spouse's unused exemption being portable to the second spouse.
  2. 2 Calculation: Each spouse has a $15,000,000 individual exemption. With portability, the couple has a combined exemption of $30,000,000 ($15M + $15M). Their $25,000,000 estate is less than the $30,000,000 combined exemption.
  3. 3 Result: The estimated federal estate tax liability for this couple is $0.00.
  4. 4 Context: This example demonstrates how portability can significantly reduce or eliminate federal estate tax for married couples, even with substantial assets, by fully utilizing both spouses' exemptions.

Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the estate tax exemption for 2026?
The 2026 federal estate tax exemption is approximately $15 million per person ($30 million for a married couple using portability). Estates below this threshold owe no federal estate tax. Above the exemption, the tax rate is 40%.
What is portability for estate tax?
Portability allows a surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse unused estate tax exemption in addition to their own. If the first spouse dies using only $5 million of their $15 million exemption, the survivor can shelter up to $25 million ($10 million unused plus their own $15 million). A timely estate tax return must be filed to elect portability.
Is the estate tax exemption going to decrease?
The TCJA doubled exemption was set to sunset after 2025, which would have cut it roughly in half. Current 2026 legislation has maintained the higher exemption levels. Monitor future legislation as this could change in subsequent years.

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