Glossary
Estate tax exclusion
Also called Basic exclusion amount
Definition
The estate tax exclusion is the amount a person can pass at death, combined with lifetime taxable gifts, free of federal estate tax: $15,000,000 ($30,000,000 for a married couple using portability)2026 · IRS for 2026. Amounts above it are taxed at an effective 40%2026 · IRS.
How estate tax exclusion works
Lifetime taxable gifts reduce the exclusion available at death. A surviving spouse can use the deceased spouse's unused amount through portability.
Several states have estate or inheritance taxes with much lower thresholds.
Calculators that use estate tax exclusion
Questions about estate tax exclusion
What is the 2026 exclusion?
$15,000,000 ($30,000,000 for a married couple using portability)2026 · IRS.
Do gifts reduce it?
Taxable gifts above the annual exclusion do.
Do states tax estates?
Some do, with lower thresholds.
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Related terms: Portability
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