2026 State Estate & Inheritance Taxes
An estate tax is a tax charged against the entire estate, regardless of who inherits the assets. By contrast, an inheritance tax is only charged against the shares of certain beneficiaries who inherit an estate. Note that Connecticut is the only state with a gift tax on assets that you give away during your life.
​
Below is a chart showing the states that will collect a state estate and/or inheritance tax, along with the 2024 exemption and top state estate tax rate.
​
STATE
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Illinois
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
TYPE OF DEATH TAX
Estate Tax (also Gift Tax)
Estate Tax
Estate Tax
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax
Estate Tax
Estate Tax, Inheritance Tax
Estate Tax
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax
Estate Tax
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Estate Tax
Estate Tax
Estate Tax
EXEMPTION
$12,920,000
$4,528,800
$5,490,000
$4,000,000
​
​
$6,410,000
$5,000,000
$1,000,000
$3,000,000
​
​
$6,580,000
$1,000,000
​
$1,733,264
$5,000,000
$2,193,000
TOP TAX RATE
12%
16%
20%
16%
15%
16%
12%
16%
16%
16%
16%
18%
16%
16%
16%
16%
16%
20%