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Illinois Estate Tax Calculator
Your estate
Example: $6,000,000 estate → $2,000,000 taxable → $120,000 Illinois estate tax.
Behind the numbers
How Illinois estate tax is calculated
Illinois charges its own estate tax on estates worth more than the state exemption of $4,000,000. First the exemption is subtracted from the total estate value to get the taxable estate. If the estate is worth $4,000,000 or less, no Illinois estate tax is due. Above that, the tax is worked out with the simplified progressive rate table below: lower rates apply to the first slice of the taxable estate and higher rates to the slices above it. This table is a simplified version of the official Illinois rate schedule, so the result is an estimate for planning, not the exact amount the state would assess.
For a $6,000,000 estate: taxable estate = $6,000,000 − $4,000,000 = $2,000,000. Tax = ($500,000 × 4%) + ($500,000 × 6%) + ($1,000,000 × 7%) = $20,000 + $30,000 + $70,000 = $120,000. That is 6.0% of the taxable estate and 2.0% of the whole estate.
Reference
Simplified 2026 rate table (applied to the taxable estate)
| Slice of taxable estate | Rate |
|---|---|
| First $500,000 | 4% |
| Next $500,000 ($500,001 - $1,000,000) | 6% |
| Next $1,000,000 ($1,000,001 - $2,000,000) | 7% |
| Next $2,000,000 ($2,000,001 - $4,000,000) | 9% |
| Over $4,000,000 | 11% |
Examples
Example estates
| Estate value | Taxable estate | Estimated Illinois tax |
|---|---|---|
| $4,500,000 | $500,000 | $20,000 |
| $5,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $50,000 |
| $6,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $120,000 |
| $8,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $300,000 |
| $10,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $520,000 |
Tips before you plan
Get a proper valuation: real estate, investments, business interests, and life insurance owned by the person who died can all count toward the estate.
The Illinois tax is separate from the federal estate tax, which has a much higher exemption — an estate can owe Illinois tax and no federal tax.
Talk to an Illinois estate attorney before making gifts or transfers; some moves made shortly before death do not reduce the taxable estate.
Keep records of debts, funeral costs, and administration expenses, which can reduce the taxable amount.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is the Illinois estate tax exemption for 2026?
$4,000,000. Estates worth that amount or less owe no Illinois estate tax. Only the value above $4,000,000 is taxed.
Is Illinois estate tax the same as federal estate tax?
No. They are two different taxes with different exemptions and rates. The federal exemption is far higher, so many estates owe Illinois tax even when they owe nothing to the federal government.
Does the tax apply if the estate is just over $4,000,000?
Yes — the amount above $4,000,000 is taxed. For example, a $4,500,000 estate has a $500,000 taxable estate and an estimated tax of $20,000 under the simplified table on this page.
Is this calculator legal or tax advice?
No. It gives a simplified 2026 estimate for planning only. Illinois tax law has details this calculator does not cover, so check the result with a licensed tax professional or estate attorney.