The 2025 Estate Tax Exemption
The IRS increased the exemption before the 2025 GOP tax bill was enacted. Find out how the megabill changes the threshold for estate taxes.
The federal estate tax exemption increased again for 2025. Although the higher, IRS-inflation-adjusted number, announced last fall, may not have come as a surprise to most.
However, 2025 is a pivotal tax year.
After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) temporarily raised the estate exemption amount to a higher base threshold, the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) enacted on July 4, 2025, makes that extension permanent.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
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.
Under the new Trump tax megabill, estate exemption amounts increase to $15 million for single filers and $30 million for married filing joint couples.
A higher exemption in the current year will save more estates from federal tax, which may save heirs the heartache of a higher tax bill. Here's more of what you need to know.
In the news: Curious about next year's estate tax exemption? Check out Kiplinger's report, 2026 Estate Tax Exemption Amount: What You Need to Know.
Current estate tax exemption
The federal estate tax doesn’t apply unless you hit a certain exemption amount.
- The exemption amount for people who pass away in 2025 is $13.99 million (up from $13.6 million last year).
- Married couples can expect their exemption to be $27.98 million (up from $27.22 million last year).
Federal estate tax rate
Only a certain percentage of estates will be subject to the federal estate tax. This is because the exemption is high for 2025.
However, estates valued over the tax amount will be taxed at a pretty hefty rate, with those exceeding more than $1 million ($14,990,000 or $28,980,000 combined for married couples) taxed at 40%.
Below is how much heirs can expect to pay based on an estate’s value:
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% | More than $1 million |
State estate taxes
Some states may impose an estate tax of their own (and the exemption amounts aren’t always as generous as the federal estate tax exemption).
For instance, in Massachusetts, the state estate tax exemption is just $2 million and isn’t indexed for inflation.
A few states also impose an inheritance tax, which can leave a tax bill for your heirs on even small amounts of money.
Nebraska, for example, imposes an inheritance tax on adult children when their inheritances exceed $100,000. In Kentucky, nephews and nieces only receive a $1,000 exemption.
Estate tax under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
The new so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) makes the exemption permanent, and increases the amounts for 2026:
- Single filers will receive an estate exemption of $15 million
- Married filing joint couples will receive an exemption from estate taxes of $30 million.
The estate tax exemption is also indexed for inflation.
Period | Exemption Amount |
2018 | $11,180,000 |
2019 | $11,400,000 |
2020 | $11,580,000 |
2021 | $11,700,000 |
2022 | $12,060,000 |
2023 | $12,920,000 |
2024 | $13,610,000 |
2025 | $13,990,000 |
GOP estate tax bill
With Trump serving his second term as president and tax reform passed through reconciliation, many provisions of the TCJA will continue for some time.
The tax bill extends many provisions in the TCJA (which includes the estate tax exemption previously mentioned).
Other TCJA tax provisions in the OBBB include:
- Extending the increased standard deduction and temporarily raising the amounts
- Permanently eliminating the personal and dependency exemption
- Extending and temporarily increasing the federal child tax credit
Read More
-
Dow Dives 870 Points on Overseas Affairs: Stock Market TodayFiscal policy in the Far East and foreign policy in the near west send markets all over the world into a selling frenzy.
-
Quiz: Understanding Roth ConversionsQuiz Discover if a Roth conversion is the right move for you by taking our quick quiz.
-
How Prices Have Changed in Trump's First YearTrump campaigned on bringing prices down for Americans. Here's where prices stand one year into his second term.
-
Roth IRA Conversion Quiz: Would You Benefit from the Switch?
Quiz Discover if a Roth conversion is the right move for you by taking our quick quiz.
-
New California Wealth Tax for 2026? Here's What's Happening NowState Taxes California has considered taxing wealth before, but the latest proposal seems to be different.
-
Are You the Doer or the Visionary of Your Advisory Practice? Here's How You Can Make the Leap to Chief Vision OfficerThe key is to transition from a tactical "doer" to a strategic "chief vision officer" by building the teams, processes and brand so your practice can grow.
-
You've Heard It Before, But This Investment Advice Still Pays Off"Time in the market beats timing the market" — been there, done that, right? But don't write off the underlying advice. There's a reason it's a popular saying.
-
How to Avoid Being Buried by the Tax Avalanche in Retirement: Tips From a Wealth AdviserAll that cash you have in tax-deferred accounts could launch you into a higher tax bracket when you start withdrawals. It's time to protect your income.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is the Real Secret to Retirement SuccessFor real retirement security, forget about chasing returns and focus instead on the things you can control: income, taxes, risk-taking and decision-making.
-
Is Your Retirement Plan Based on Social Security Fact or Fiction?One in two Americans don't know much about Social Security — and some are basing their retirement on mistaken beliefs. It's time to separate fact from fiction.
-
Are You Investing to Score Points or Make Money? Cautionary Tales From an Investment AdviserHave you become numb to risk? Is your brokerage app or website fueling your desire to trade? An investment adviser explains why it always pays to be cautious.
