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Interactive Tool

Estate Tax Exposure
Estimator

How much of your estate could go to the IRS instead of your family? Enter your details below to see your estimated federal estate tax liability — and the strategies that may help reduce it.

Your Situation

Adjust the inputs below. Results update automatically.

$30,000,000
$5M $200M

Include all assets: investments, real estate, business interests, insurance death benefits, and retirement accounts.

Married couples can combine their exemptions through portability, effectively doubling the amount that passes tax-free.

$

Assets in irrevocable trusts (GRATs, SLATs, ILITs, etc.) are generally excluded from your taxable estate.

$

Cumulative taxable gifts above the annual exclusion ($18,000 per recipient in 2024). This reduces your remaining lifetime exemption.

Your Estimated Exposure

Based on 2025 federal estate tax law. Does not include state-level estate or inheritance taxes.

Effective Tax Rate 0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Gross estate $30,000,000
Less: irrevocable trust assets −$0
Taxable estate $30,000,000
Federal exemption −$15,000,000
Less: lifetime gifts applied $0
Amount subject to tax $16,010,000
Estimated federal estate tax $6,404,000

What this means

At your current estate value, approximately 21% of your total net worth would go to the IRS — not your family. Proactive estate planning strategies may significantly reduce this exposure.

State taxes not shown. Twelve states and the District of Columbia impose their own estate taxes, often with lower exemptions than the federal level. Several states also impose inheritance taxes. See which states have estate or inheritance taxes →

Strategies that may reduce your exposure

Estate tax is not inevitable.
It's a planning problem.

GRATs

Transfer appreciating assets to heirs at minimal or zero gift tax cost. Particularly effective for concentrated stock positions and business interests expected to grow in value.

SLATs & IDGTs

Remove assets from your taxable estate while retaining indirect access through your spouse. SLATs and intentionally defective grantor trusts offer flexibility that outright gifts do not.

Charitable Structures

Charitable remainder trusts, donor-advised funds, and private foundations can reduce your taxable estate while generating income tax deductions and supporting causes you care about.

ILITs

Irrevocable life insurance trusts keep insurance proceeds outside your taxable estate, providing liquidity for estate taxes without increasing the tax bill itself.

Strategic Gifting

Annual exclusion gifts, 529 superfunding, and direct tuition/medical payments reduce your estate over time without using any of your lifetime exemption.

Dynasty Trusts

Preserve wealth across multiple generations by removing assets from the estate tax system entirely. Particularly powerful in states without a rule against perpetuities.

The right combination of strategies depends on your family structure, asset composition, liquidity needs, and goals. We help families navigate these decisions with clarity and precision.

Related

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Income tax strategy that coordinates with your estate plan.

Important Disclosure: This tool provides rough estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Rubiq Financial Partners is not a tax advisor, CPA, or attorney, and does not provide tax preparation, legal, or accounting services. Actual estate tax liability depends on many factors not captured here, including the specific composition of assets, applicable deductions (marital, charitable, administrative expenses), state-level taxes, future changes in tax law, and the timing and structure of wealth transfers. The federal estate tax exemption and rates are subject to legislative change — including potential sunset of current exemption levels. This calculator uses the 2026 federal exemption of $15 million per individual. The estimates produced are hypothetical, may not reflect your actual tax situation, and should not be relied upon for planning purposes without independent professional verification. Always consult with a qualified estate attorney, CPA, and financial advisor before making estate planning decisions.