2023 Estate Tax Exemption Amount Increases
With the 2023 estate tax exemption amount increases, fewer estates are subject to the federal tax.


The 2023 estate tax exemption amounts have been announced and the estate tax exemption amounts are going up again. The amount is adjusted each year for inflation, so that's not a surprise. But it's still a big deal when the new exemption is announced each year because there's a lot at stake for certain high-income Americans.
2023 Estate Tax Exemption
Generally, when you die, your estate is not subject to the federal estate tax if the value of your estate is less than the exemption amount. For people who pass away in 2023, the exemption amount will be $12.92 million (it's $12.06 million for 2022). For a married couple, that comes to a combined exemption of $25.84 million.
Estate Tax Rate
As you might guess, only a small percentage of Americans die with an estate worth $12.92 million or more. But for estates that do, the federal tax bill is pretty steep. Most of the estate's value is taxed at a 40% rate.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
As the table below shows, the first $1 million is taxed at lower rates – from 18% to 39%. That results in a total tax of $345,800 on the first $1 million, which is $54,200 less than what the tax would be if the entire estate were taxed at the top rate. However, once you get past the first $1 million, everything else is taxed at the 40% rate.
Rate | Taxable Amount (Value of Estate Exceeding Exemption) |
18% | $0 to $10,000 |
20% | $10,001 to $20,000 |
22% | $20,001 to $40,000 |
24% | $40,001 to $60,000 |
26% | $60,001 to $80,000 |
28% | $80,001 to $100,000 |
30% | $100,001 to $150,000 |
32% | $150,001 to $250,000 |
34% | $250,001 to $500,000 |
37% | $500,001 to $750,000 |
39% | $750,001 to $1 million |
40% | Over $1 million |
Historical Estate Tax Exemption Amounts
Since the federal estate tax was reformed in 1976, the estate tax exemption has only gone up (see table below). In most cases, the increase is modest, such as a simple adjustment for inflation. However, at times, the exemption amount has jumped considerably. For example, it shot up from $675,000 to $1 million in 2002, from $1 million to $5 million in 2011, and from $5.49 million to $11.18 million in 2018.
But that pattern is scheduled to change. The 2018 estate tax examption increase is only temporary, so the base exemption amount is set to drop back down to $5 million (adjusted for inflation) in 2026.
Period | Exemption Amount |
1977 (Quarters 1 and 2) | $30,000 |
1977 (Quarters 3 and 4) | $120,667 |
1978 | $134,000 |
1979 | $147,333 |
1980 | $161,563 |
1981 | $175,625 |
1982 | $225,000 |
1983 | $275,000 |
1984 | $325,000 |
1985 | $400,000 |
1986 | $500,000 |
1987 through 1997 | $600,000 |
1998 | $625,000 |
1999 | $650,000 |
2000 and 2001 | $675,000 |
2002 through 2010 | $1,000,000 |
2011 | $5,000,000 |
2012 | $5,120,000 |
2013 | $5,250,000 |
2014 | $5,340,000 |
2015 | $5,430,000 |
2016 | $5,450,000 |
2017 | $5,490,000 |
2018 | $11,180,000 |
2019 | $11,400,000 |
2020 | $11,580,000 |
2021 | $11,700,000 |
2022 | $12,060,000 |
2023 | $12,920,000 |
State Estate Taxes
Just because your estate isn't hit with the federal estate tax, that doesn't necessarily mean you're completely off the hook. Your estate might be subject to a state estate tax. Twelve states and the District of Columbia impose their own estate tax, and the state exemption amounts are often much lower than the federal estate tax exemption. For instance, the exemption amount in Massachusetts and Oregon is only $1 million.
Plus, six states levy an inheritance tax, which is paid directly by your heirs. (Maryland has both an estate tax and an inheritance tax!) So, just because your estate isn't worth millions of dollars, you children and grandchildren might end up with less in their pockets when you die than what you're expecting.
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
New Tax Rules: Income the IRS Won’t Touch in 2025
Income Taxes From financial gifts to Roth withdrawal rules, here’s what income stays tax-free under the new Trump 2025 tax bill, and some information on what’s changed.
-
Three Popular Tax Breaks Are Gone for Good in 2026
Tax Breaks Here's a list of federal tax deductions and credits that you can't claim in the 2026 tax year. Plus, high-income earners could get hit by a 'surprise' tax bill.
-
Tax Brackets 2025 Quiz: How Much Do You Know?
Quiz Test your knowledge of IRS rules that impact how much money you keep in your wallet.
-
Retirees Face a Growing Capital Gains Tax Trap: What's Next?
Home Sales A changing housing market and unchanged IRS exclusion amounts can add up to a headache for many homeowners. Will Congress offer a fix?
-
New York Inflation Refund Checks Are Coming Soon: What to Know Now
Tax Relief Inflation relief checks are on the way for over 8 million New York taxpayers. Here's a full breakdown of who gets a payment and when you may expect yours.
-
IRS Phasing Out Paper Checks: What Happens After September 30?
Tax Changes Avoid delays when IRS tax refunds and Social Security paper checks are cut off. Here’s what to know.
-
The Most Tax-Friendly States for Investing in 2025 (Hint: There Are Two)
State Taxes Living in one of these places could lower your 2025 investment taxes — especially if you invest in real estate.
-
The Final Countdown for Retirees with Investment Income
Retirement Tax Don’t assume Social Security withholding is enough. Some retirement income may require a quarterly estimated tax payment by the September 15 deadline.