Comparison Tool

How Much Estate Tax Would You Owe in Each State

An estate worth $3,000,000 owes $0 federal estate tax in 2026 (the federal exemption is $15,000,000) but can still owe six figures to a state. Oregon taxes estates over just $1,000,000 and Massachusetts over $2,000,000, so the same $3M estate could owe roughly $320,000 in Oregon or about $160,000 in Massachusetts, while it owes nothing in the 38 states with no estate tax. The state you live in or own real estate in changes the bill more than the federal rules do for most families.

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EstateFig provides estimates for educational purposes only. Estate, gift, and inheritance tax rules are complex, vary by state, and change frequently (several state thresholds adjust for inflation each year). This is not legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified estate-planning attorney or CPA for your situation. Figures reflect 2026 thresholds published by state revenue departments and the IRS; always verify the current rate with the relevant authority before relying on any number.

How It Works

We apply each jurisdiction's 2026 exemption threshold and top marginal rate to your estate value. Tax is estimated as (estate minus exemption) times the top rate for most states. Two states have special rules modeled here: Massachusetts effectively taxes the whole estate above its $2,000,000 threshold, and New York has a cliff where estates above 105% of the exemption ($7,717,500) lose the exemption entirely and the full estate is taxed. The federal estate tax uses the 2026 $15,000,000 exemption and 40% top rate. Figures come from state revenue departments (Mass.gov, NY State Dept of Taxation, OR Dept of Revenue, etc.) and the IRS; several states index thresholds to inflation annually, so exact amounts shift slightly. This is a simplification for comparison, not the graduated bracket schedule a return actually uses.

What Should You Do?

If your estate is between $1M and $15M, state tax - not federal - is usually the real exposure, especially in Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington, or Minnesota. The two biggest levers are (1) residential and real-estate location, since most state estate taxes are based on where you live or own property, and (2) lifetime gifting under the $19,000 per-recipient annual exclusion to move value out of your taxable estate early. Irrevocable life insurance trusts and marital deduction planning matter most above the federal exemption. Get professional advice before acting; this tool only shows relative magnitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my state matter more than the IRS?

The 2026 federal exemption is $15,000,000, so most families owe no federal tax. But 12 states and DC tax estates as low as $1,000,000, so the state where you live or own property drives the bill.

Is the number exact?

No. It is a simplified estimate using each state's top rate above its exemption. Actual liability uses graduated brackets and deductions. Treat it as a planning signal, not a filing figure.

What is the New York cliff?

If a taxable NY estate exceeds 105% of the exemption, the exemption vanishes and the entire estate is taxed. Staying clearly under or well over the line matters far more than being slightly over.

Does moving states avoid the tax?

Often yes for future growth, because most state estate taxes are based on domicile and in-state real estate. But prior trusts and existing situs can still matter; consult counsel.

Are these rates final for 2026?

Several states adjust thresholds for inflation each year, and Washington changed its rules inside 2026. Verify the current threshold with the state before relying on any number.