For decedents dying in 2026, the U.S. federal estate tax filing threshold—and basic exclusion amount—is $15,000,000 per person. An estate tax return (Form 706) is generally required when the gross estate plus adjusted taxable gifts exceeds that amount, or when an estate elects portability of unused exclusion to a surviving spouse.
Tax on amounts above the available exclusion is figured with the unified rate schedule, which rises from 18% on the lowest brackets to a top rate of 40% on the portion of the tax base over $1 million. Lifetime taxable gifts are included in the computation, and the tax is reduced by the applicable unified credit.