Estate Tax: Definition, Tax Rates and Who Pays
Several states have this tax on the transfer of property after death. Know whether the rules and thresholds apply.
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Table of Contents
What is the federal estate tax?
The federal estate tax — also sometimes known as the "death tax" — is levied on a deceased person's assets. The federal estate tax ranges from 18% to 40% and generally only applies to assets over $13.99 million in 2025 or $15 million in 2026.
2025 estate tax exemptions
The estate tax exemption is per person, so a married couple could double it.
Several states also levy their own estate taxes on top of the federal estate tax. The state thresholds on what is subject to estate tax may be lower than the federal limit, which means you may have to pay state-level estate taxes even if you do not have to pay federal estate taxes.
To see if your state has an estate tax, check the estate tax chart below, and refer to your state's department of revenue and taxation website for the most up-to-date information.
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How the federal estate tax works
The federal estate tax is assessed on the current fair market value of the assets. In other words, the tax is calculated based on what the assets are worth today, not the original value at the time of purchase.
Assets inherited by the surviving spouse are generally not subject to the federal estate tax because of the unlimited marital deduction.
IRS Form 706 also has the details on exactly which assets count in the calculations for the federal estate tax, how to find their value and how to calculate what you owe. But in general, you figure the tax by applying the rates below to the amount of the estate that's subject to tax.
Estate tax rates and limits
Tax rate | Taxable amount | Tax owed |
|---|---|---|
18% | $0 to $10,000. | 18% of taxable amount. |
20% | $10,001 to $20,000. | $1,800 plus 20% of the amount over $10,000. |
22% | $20,001 to $40,000. | $3,800 plus 22% of the amount over $20,000. |
24% | $40,001 to $60,000. | $8,200 plus 24% of the amount over $40,000. |
26% | $60,001 to $80,000. | $13,000 plus 26% of the amount over $60,000. |
28% | $80,001 to $100,000. | $18,200 plus 28% of the amount over $80,000. |
30% | $100,001 to $150,000. | $23,800 plus 30% of the amount over $100,000. |
32% | $150,001 to $250,000. | $38,800 plus 32% of the amount over $150,000. |
34% | $250,001 to $500,000. | $70,800 plus 34% of the amount over $250,000. |
37% | $500,001 to $750,000. | $155,800 plus 37% of the amount over $500,000. |
39% | $750,001 to $1,000,000. | $248,300 plus 39% of the amount over $750,000. |
40% | $1,000,001 and up. | $345,800 plus 40% of the amount over $1,000,000. |
Source: Internal Revenue Service | ||
» Think you'll need help? See our list of the best financial advisors
Which states have an estate tax?
Several states and the District of Columbia have an estate tax. Many have lower asset thresholds than the federal government. Each state’s exclusion amount is in the table below.
If you live in a state with an estate tax, the good news is that (generally speaking) your estate tax bill is subtracted from the value of your taxable estate before you calculate what you might owe the IRS.
Estate tax exemptions by state
State | 2025 estate tax exemption amount |
|---|---|
Connecticut | $13.99 million. |
District of Columbia | $4.87 million. |
Hawaii | $5.49 million. |
Illinois | $4 million. |
Maine | $7 million. |
Maryland | $5 million. |
Massachusetts | $2 million. |
Minnesota | $3 million. |
New York | $7.16 million. |
Oregon | $1 million. |
Rhode Island | $1.8 million. |
Vermont | $5 million. |
Washington | $3 million. |
» Giving money or assets away? See how the gift tax can affect you
What is the difference between an inheritance tax and an estate tax?
A few states have an inheritance tax, which is different from an estate tax. The main difference between inheritance tax and estate tax is who pays. Inheritance taxes are paid by heirs or inheritors generally upon receiving the inherited assets. An estate tax, on the other hand, is a tax levied on the entire taxable estate itself. Executors of the estate use Form 706 to figure the amount owed.
Five states have an inheritance tax, and one collects both estate and inheritance taxes.
Inheritance tax rates often depend on the heir’s relationship to the deceased. A surviving spouse is usually exempt from state inheritance tax. Some states tax a deceased person's children, but at a low rate. More distant relatives or heirs who aren't related to the deceased usually face the highest inheritance tax rates.
» MORE: Will you owe inheritance tax?
5.0
NerdWallet rating- Federal: $79 to $139. Free version available for Simple Form 1040 returns only.
- State: $0 to $69 per state.
- Expert help or full service filing is available with an upgrade to Live packages for a fee.
How to reduce or avoid the federal estate tax
If you want to reduce your estate taxes before you die, there are some tactics you might use to protect your property. They include:
Spending your assets. If you're not afraid of running out of money before you die, enjoy your wealth.
Spreading your assets. You could give away part of your estate as gifts to loved ones while you're still around. Many states don't tax gifts.
Giving away your assets. If you leave property to a qualifying charity, it is deductible from the gross estate.
Shielding your assets in a trust. Properly created irrevocable trusts could provide a way to legally shelter some of your assets from state and federal estate taxes.
Moving to a more favorable tax environment. Since most states don't have an estate tax or inheritance tax, you have many relocation options.
If you inherit or bequeath something, watch out for capital gains tax
Even if an inheritance isn't taxed when your heirs receive it, any subsequent earnings or income that it produces may be considered taxable capital gains at the federal and state levels.
If your heirs sell an asset they inherited, any profit could be taxed at the federal level as either a long-term or short-term capital gain, depending on when they dispose of the property.
If you do give your heirs a bequest, especially a sizable one, it's a good idea for them to talk with a financial advisor about the best ways to reduce capital gains tax.
» MORE: How to invest $100,000
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