The federal government levies an estate tax on estates worth more than the current year's limit. Some states also have their own estate tax. Learn more.
An estate tax is most notably levied at the federal level, and it’s charged to a decedent’s estate when their a-sets pass on to their beneficiaries. Most estates won’t trigger the federal estate tax, as it only applies in tax year 2022 to estates worth more than $12.06 million, or double that for a married couple. That dollar amount moves to $12.92 million in 2023. Because this tax can have a significant effect on your beneficiaries, it’s best to plan ahead for it in your estate plan. Some people work with a financial advisor to maximize an estate plan for their loved ones.
The estate tax is levied by the government on estates when you die and pass on your a-sets to heirs. If your estate has a high enough value after you pass away, then you’ll have to pay estate taxes on anything you’re looking to bequeath. This could include cash, real estate, retirement accounts or a range of other a-sets.
For 2022, the threshold for federal estate taxes $12.06 million for individuals and $24.12 million for married couples. For 2023, this limit jumps to $12.92 million for individuals and $25.84 million for married couples.
To make things simple, if your estate is worth $12.92 million or less — for a death in 2023 — you don’t need to worry about the federal estate tax. However, any estates worth more than that are taxed only on the amount that surpasses the $12.92 million threshold. For most of the federal estate tax tiers, you’ll pay a base tax, as well as a marginal rate. Current federal estate taxes max out at 40% for taxable amounts greater than $1 million.
Federal Estate Tax Rates Taxable Amount Estate Tax Rate What You Pay $1 – $10,000 18% – $0 base tax– 18% on taxable amount $10,001 – $20,000 20% – $1,800 base tax– 20% on taxable amount $20,001 – $40,000 22% – $3,800 base tax– 22% on taxable amount $40,001 – $60,000 24% – $8,200 base tax– 24% on taxable amount $60,001 – $80,000 26% – $13,000 base tax– 26% on taxable amount $80,001 – $100,000 28% – $18,200 base tax– 28% on taxable amount $100,001 – $150,000 30% – $23,800 base tax– 30% on taxable amount $150,001 – $250,000 32% – $38,800 base tax– 32% on taxable amount $250,001 – $500,000 34% – $70,800 base tax– 34% on taxable amount $500,001 – $750,000 37% – $155,800 base tax– 37% on taxable amount $750,001 – $1 million 39% – $248,300 base tax– 39% on taxable amount $1 million+ 40% – $345,800 base tax– 40% on taxable amount