How does the Estate Tax Calculator estimate my federal estate tax?

It subtracts deductions from your gross estate, adds lifetime taxable gifts, applies the exclusion (plus DSUE), and estimates tax at the top rate.

What information should I gather before using the Estate Tax Calculator?

Have your gross estate value, debts, charitable and marital bequests, state death taxes, lifetime taxable gifts, gift tax paid, and DSUE amount.

Does the Estate Tax Calculator include state estate or inheritance taxes?

No. It estimates federal estate tax only. You can input state death taxes as a deduction to refine the federal estimate.

Can I use portability (DSUE) with the Estate Tax Calculator?

Yes. Enter the DSUE amount to increase the applicable exclusion and potentially reduce the estimated tax.

What if I don’t know the exclusion for my year in the Estate Tax Calculator?

Select a year and, if needed, enter a Custom Exclusion Override to test a different assumption.

Is the Estate Tax Calculator result the same as what the IRS will assess?

No. It’s an educational estimate. Final liability depends on detailed rules, valuations, elections, and IRS review.

Does the Estate Tax Calculator account for prior gift taxes paid?

Yes. Enter gift tax paid and the calculator subtracts a credit from the tentative estate tax.

Will the Estate Tax Calculator show how much my heirs might receive?

Yes. It displays an estimated net to heirs after deductions and the estimated federal estate tax.

Estate Tax Calculator: Federal Estimate

Use our Estate Tax Calculator to quickly estimate federal estate tax, see your taxable estate after deductions, and understand how lifetime taxable gifts and portability (DSUE) affect what your heirs may receive.

What the Estate Tax Calculator does

The federal estate tax applies to the portion of an estate that exceeds the applicable exclusion amount for the decedent’s year of death. Our calculator walks you through the core inputs used in a typical high-level estimate. You enter the gross value of the estate, eligible deductions, any state death taxes, lifetime taxable gifts, prior gift tax paid, and an optional portability amount (DSUE) from a predeceased spouse. The tool then approximates the federal liability at the top statutory rate and shows your estimated net to heirs.

Key inputs you’ll need

Gross estate value: The fair market value of all assets included in the estate.
Funeral and administration expenses: Costs of settling the estate.
Debts and mortgages: Outstanding obligations owed at death.
Charitable bequests: Amounts left to qualified charities, which are generally fully deductible.
Marital deduction: Transfers to a surviving U.S. citizen spouse, typically fully deductible.
State death taxes: Some states impose estate or inheritance taxes; federal rules currently allow a deduction.
Adjusted taxable gifts: Lifetime taxable gifts after 1976 that factor into the estate tax base.
Gift tax paid: Prior gift tax that may reduce the final federal estate tax due.
DSUE (Portability): Any deceased spousal unused exclusion amount that increases your available exclusion.

How the estimate is calculated

In simplified form, the calculator performs these steps to produce an estimate:

Compute the Taxable Estate by subtracting allowable deductions from the gross estate.
Add Adjusted Taxable Gifts to get the Tentative Tax Base.
Determine the Applicable Exclusion for the selected year, plus any DSUE. Optionally, use a custom exclusion override.
Calculate the amount above the exclusion and apply the top federal rate to estimate the tax.
Subtract any prior Gift Tax Paid to arrive at an estimated federal estate tax due.

Why the exclusion and DSUE matter

The applicable exclusion shields a set amount from federal estate tax. If the decedent had a predeceased spouse and the executor of that spouse’s estate properly elected portability, the survivor may use the DSUE, increasing the total exclusion. This can significantly reduce, or even eliminate, the taxable amount.

Planning ideas to explore

Charitable planning: Charitable bequests can reduce the taxable estate and support causes you care about.
Marital transfers: Outright bequests to a U.S. citizen spouse usually qualify for the unlimited marital deduction.
Lifetime gifting: Strategic gifts may shift future appreciation outside of the estate.
Use of trusts: Trusts can address control, protection, and tax objectives when used correctly.
Portability elections: Timely estate tax return filings for a deceased spouse may preserve DSUE for the survivor.

Limitations and next steps

This calculator focuses on federal estate tax. It does not compute state estate or inheritance taxes, generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax, valuation discounts, or special elections that can alter results. Asset valuations, deductions, and elections are nuanced and fact-specific. For a precise outcome, coordinate with your estate planning attorney, CPA, and financial advisor.

After running your estimate, consider building a written estate plan, updating beneficiary designations, and reviewing titling and liquidity. If your projected estate tax is substantial, your advisory team can help evaluate spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), charitable remainder trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), and other advanced strategies tailored to your goals.

How to use this Estate Tax Calculator effectively

Gather a current net worth statement, including recent valuations for real estate, closely held business interests, retirement accounts, life insurance death benefits, and other assets. Input conservative, well-documented numbers. If your year of death isn’t listed or you prefer a different assumption, enter a Custom Exclusion Override to test various scenarios. Finally, revisit your estimate periodically as laws, asset values, and family circumstances evolve.

Estate Tax Calculator