2025 Estate and Gift Tax Update

Here’s a summary of the federal estate tax rates in 2025:

The federal estate tax has a top rate of 40%.

However, the tax only applies to the portion of an estate that exceeds the exemption amount.

For individuals passing away in 2025, the estate tax exemption amount is $13.99 million.

Married couples can combine their exemptions to shield $27.98 million from federal estate tax. 

Here’s a breakdown of the marginal federal estate tax rates in 2025:
Taxable Estate Amount (Exceeding Exemption) 

Tax Rate

What You Pay
$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

More than $1 million
40%
$345,800 base tax + 40% on taxable amount


Important Note: The current estate and gift tax exemptions are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025, potentially reverting to lower amounts adjusted for inflation unless Congress takes action to extend them.
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