Estate & Inheritance Tax Estimator
2026 figures. Runs in your browser — nothing you enter is collected or stored.
Estimates only — not legal or tax advice. State estate taxes use graduated brackets, so figures for them are ranges, not exact amounts. Confirm with your state’s guide or a tax professional.
The estate tax calculator tool above gives you a fast, state-specific estimate of three things families most need to know: whether an estate owes federal estate tax, whether it owes state estate tax, and whether an heir owes state inheritance tax. Most families owe nothing — but a dozen states tax estates at far lower thresholds than the federal government, and five states tax the people who inherit. Updated for 2026, this estate tax calculator tool shows you where you stand in plain English, with no sign-up and nothing to buy.
On this page
- What the estate tax calculator tool does
- How to use the estate tax calculator tool
- Federal vs. state estate tax
- Estate tax vs. inheritance tax
- Which states tax estates in 2026
- Where our figures come from
- Frequently asked questions
What the estate tax calculator tool does
The estate tax calculator tool estimates the death taxes an estate may face at two levels. First, it checks the federal estate tax, which in 2026 applies only to estates above $15 million and is charged at 40% of the amount over that exemption. Because the federal exemption is so high, fewer than one estate in a hundred owes any federal estate tax. Second, it checks state death taxes, which catch far more families: twelve states levy their own estate tax with exemptions as low as $1 million, and five states levy an inheritance tax on the people who receive the money.
Enter a state and an estate value, and the tool tells you in seconds whether federal tax, state estate tax, or state inheritance tax is likely to apply — and roughly how much.
How to use the estate tax calculator tool
Using the estate tax calculator tool takes about ten seconds. Choose the state where the person who died lived, then enter the total value of the estate — everything they owned, including real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement savings, and life insurance they owned outright. If the estate is in one of the five inheritance-tax states, also choose who is inheriting, because the inheritance tax rate depends on the heir’s relationship to the person who died.
The tool then shows three results: your estimated federal estate tax, your estimated state estate tax, and any state inheritance tax for that heir. Each result explains itself in plain English so you know exactly what you are looking at.
Federal vs. state estate tax
The federal estate tax exemption rose to $15 million per person in 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with a 40% top rate. Married couples can shield up to $30 million. State exemptions, however, are usually much lower. Oregon and Massachusetts start taxing at just $1 million and $2 million, and Washington recently raised its top rate to 35% — the highest of any state. This gap means an estate can owe state estate tax while owing nothing federally, which surprises many families.
Estate tax vs. inheritance tax — what’s the difference?
An estate tax is paid by the estate itself before anything is distributed. An inheritance tax is paid by each person who receives an inheritance, and the rate depends on how closely related they were to the person who died — spouses are always exempt, children usually are, and more distant or unrelated beneficiaries pay the most. Only five states — Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — have an inheritance tax in 2026. Maryland is the only state with both.
Which states tax estates and inheritances in 2026?
Twelve states levy an estate tax: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Five states levy an inheritance tax: Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The remaining 33 states have neither, meaning only the federal estate tax could apply — and only to estates above $15 million. New York deserves special mention for its “cliff”: an estate just over the state exemption can be taxed on its entire value, not only the amount above the exemption.
Where our figures come from
The exemptions and rates behind the estate tax calculator tool are verified for 2026 against each state’s department of revenue, state statutes, and the Internal Revenue Service, and reviewed regularly as laws change. You can confirm the federal figures on the IRS estate tax page. Because state estate taxes are graduated, the tool shows a range for the state portion rather than a single false-precise number; for the exact bracket-by-bracket amount, read the full guide for your state. To compare every state side by side, see our estate and inheritance tax by state guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the estate tax calculator tool accurate?
It uses 2026 exemptions and rates verified against official state and federal sources, so the “do you owe” answer is reliable. Federal and inheritance figures are exact; state estate tax is shown as a range because those taxes use graduated brackets. For a real estate, confirm the exact figure with a tax professional.
Who pays estate tax, and who pays inheritance tax?
Estate tax is paid by the estate before heirs receive anything. Inheritance tax is paid by each heir on their share, and the rate depends on their relationship to the person who died. A surviving spouse is exempt in every inheritance-tax state.
Does my house count toward the estate?
Yes. The taxable estate generally includes real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and life insurance the person owned. Many families cross a state exemption without realizing it once a home and retirement savings are added together.
How can I reduce estate or inheritance tax?
Common approaches include lifetime gifting, credit-shelter or other trusts, charitable giving, and for couples, planning that uses both spouses’ exemptions. These are best set up well before death with a qualified estate-planning attorney.
Disclaimer: This estate tax calculator tool is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Estate and inheritance tax laws change and vary by state. Verify current exemptions and rates with your state’s department of revenue, the IRS, or a licensed professional before acting.