# Estate Tax Statistics (2026): 36 Verified Figures With Sources

> 36 federal estate tax statistics from the IRS: returns filed, taxable estates, revenue, the exemption from 2001 to 2026, California's share and audit rates.

Source: https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-tax-statistics/

By Eric Ridley, attorney, Ridley Law. Updated October 2026.

**Who this page is for:** writers, researchers and families checking the numbers. The federal estate tax reaches only estates above $15 million single or $30 million married in 2026, but the figures here explain why planning changes so much at those amounts.

7,195 federal estate tax returns were filed in 2024, and 2,663 owed tax, reporting $23.3 billion in all. California filed 1,440 of them, more than any other state, and its estates reported 27% of the tax. The exemption is $15,000,000 per person for deaths in 2026, up from $675,000 in 2001.

This page collects 36 federal estate tax statistics, each traced to the IRS table or publication that first published it, with the year and a link. Where we did arithmetic, the finding says so. Figures come from the IRS Statistics of Income estate tax tables, the IRS Data Book and IRS guidance. We used no secondary sources. We update the page when the IRS publishes a new filing year.

**Cite this page:** Ridley Law, “Estate Tax Statistics (2026): 36 Verified Figures With Sources,” ridleylawoffices.com/estate-tax-statistics/, October 2026.

**7,195**

Federal estate tax returns filed in 2024 (IRS SOI)

**2,663**

Returns that owed tax, 2024 (IRS SOI)

**$23.3B**

Net estate tax reported on 2024 returns (IRS SOI)

**1,440**

California returns in 2024, the most of any state (IRS SOI)

**$15,000,000**

Exemption per person for 2026 deaths (IRS)

**2.6%**

Estate tax returns examined, tax year 2021 (IRS Data Book)

## How many estates file and pay federal estate tax?

About 7,195 federal estate tax returns were filed in 2024, and 2,663 of them owed tax (IRS Statistics of Income, 2026).

### 7,195 federal estate tax returns were filed in 2024

Most were for deaths in 2023, when the filing threshold was $12.92 million of gross estate. Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 2,663 of the 2024 returns owed estate tax, about 37%

The other 4,532 returns reported no tax. Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026) (2026).

### Returns filed fell 93% from 108,071 in 2001 to 7,195 in 2024

The drop tracks the filing threshold, which was $675,000 for most returns filed in 2001 and $12.92 million for most filed in 2024. Ridley Law calculation from [IRS SOI, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2001, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/01es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) and [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### Taxable returns fell 95% from 51,736 in 2001 to 2,663 in 2024

Ridley Law calculation from [IRS SOI, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2001, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/01es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) and [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### Returns fell from 13,526 in 2018 to 6,409 in 2019

2019 was the first filing year in which most returns were for deaths after the 2017 tax law (TCJA) raised the filing threshold, which was $11.18 million for 2018 deaths. Sources: [SOI 2018 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/18es01fy.xlsx) (January 2020), [SOI 2019 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/19es01fy.xlsx) (January 2021) and [IRS Publication 5332](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5332.pdf) (July 2026). Filings fell again to 3,441 in 2020. The IRS tables don’t give a reason.

### 4,532 estates filed a return in 2024 and owed nothing

That’s 63% of returns. Marital and charitable deductions, and portability elections, are common reasons to file without owing tax. Portability requires a timely return (IRC § 2010(c)(5)(A)). Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

| Filing year | Returns filed | Taxable returns | Taxable share | Net estate tax | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | 108,071 | 51,736 | 48% | $23.5B | [SOI 2001 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/01es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2002 | 99,603 | 45,018 | 45% | $21.4B | [SOI 2002 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/02es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2003 | 73,128 | 33,302 | 46% | $20.8B | [SOI 2003 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/03es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2004 | 65,039 | 31,329 | 48% | $21.6B | [SOI 2004 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/04es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2005 | 45,070 | 20,250 | 45% | $21.7B | [SOI 2005 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/05es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2006 | 49,050 | 22,798 | 46% | $24.7B | [SOI 2006 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/06es01fy.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2007 | 38,000 | 17,408 | 46% | $22.5B | [SOI 2007 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/07es01fy.xlsx) (April 2011) |
| 2008 | 38,354 | 17,144 | 45% | $24.8B | [SOI 2008 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/08es01fy.xlsx) (April 2011) |
| 2009 | 33,515 | 14,713 | 44% | $20.6B | [SOI 2009 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/09es01fy.xlsx) (December 2010) |
| 2010 | 15,191 | 6,711 | 44% | $13.2B | [SOI 2010 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/10es01fy.xlsx) (October 2011) |
| 2011 | 4,588 | 1,480 | 32% | $3.1B | [SOI 2011 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/11es01fy.xlsx) (August 2012) |
| 2012 | 9,412 | 3,738 | 40% | $8.5B | [SOI 2012 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/12es01fy.xlsx) (August 2013) |
| 2013 | 10,568 | 4,687 | 44% | $12.7B | [SOI 2013 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/13es01fy.xlsx) (October 2014) |
| 2014 | 11,931 | 5,158 | 43% | $16.4B | [SOI 2014 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/14es01fy.xlsx) (October 2015) |
| 2015 | 11,917 | 4,918 | 41% | $17.1B | [SOI 2015 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/15es01fy.xlsx) (October 2016) |
| 2016 | 12,411 | 5,219 | 42% | $18.3B | [SOI 2016 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/16es01fy.xlsx) (October 2017) |
| 2017 | 12,711 | 5,185 | 41% | $19.9B | [SOI 2017 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/17es01fy.xlsx) (October 2018) |
| 2018 | 13,526 | 5,484 | 41% | $20.2B | [SOI 2018 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/18es01fy.xlsx) (January 2020) |
| 2019 | 6,409 | 2,570 | 40% | $13.2B | [SOI 2019 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/19es01fy.xlsx) (January 2021) |
| 2020 | 3,441 | 1,275 | 37% | $9.3B | [SOI 2020 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/20es01fy.xlsx) (October 2021) |
| 2021 | 6,158 | 2,584 | 42% | $18.4B | [SOI 2021 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/21es01fy.xlsx) (October 2022) |
| 2022 | 8,130 | 3,170 | 39% | $22.5B | [SOI 2022 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/22es01fy.xlsx) (September 2024) |
| 2023 | 9,024 | 3,690 | 41% | $44.4B | [SOI 2023 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/23es01fy.xlsx) (September 2025) |
| 2024 | 7,195 | 2,663 | 37% | $23.3B | [SOI 2024 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026) |

## How much does the federal estate tax raise?

Estates reported $23.3 billion of net estate tax on returns filed in 2024, and the IRS collected $28.1 billion of estate tax in fiscal 2025 (IRS, 2026).

### Estates reported $23.3 billion of net estate tax on returns filed in 2024

That’s down from $44.4 billion in 2023. Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026) and [SOI 2023 Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/23es01fy.xlsx) (September 2025).

### 2023's $44.4 billion is the highest annual total from 2001 to 2024

IRS Statistics of Income attributes the 2023 total to very large taxes paid by estates over $50 million ([IRS Publication 5332](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5332.pdf), July 2026). Ridley Law calculation from the SOI filing-year tables 2001 to 2024.

### The average taxable estate reported about $8.75 million of estate tax in 2024

$23.3 billion divided by 2,663 taxable returns. Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### Estates of $50 million or more reported 68% of the 2024 estate tax

They filed 825 returns, 11% of the total, and reported $15.8 billion of net estate tax. Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 356 of the 825 estates of $50 million or more owed no estate tax in 2024

That’s 43%. Bequests to a spouse and to charity are deductible. Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### The IRS collected $28.1 billion of estate tax in fiscal 2025

Gross collections, including penalties and interest, for October 2024 through September 2025. Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-6](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-irs-data-book-table-1-6) (June 2026).

### Estate tax was 0.53% of all IRS gross collections in fiscal 2025

$28.1 billion of $5.31 trillion. Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-6](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-irs-data-book-table-1-6) (June 2026).

### The IRS collected $3.0 billion of gift tax in fiscal 2025

Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-6](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-irs-data-book-table-1-6) (June 2026).

| Fiscal year | Estate tax | Gift tax | Estate tax share of all IRS gross collections |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | $25.3B | $3.96B | 1.19% |
| 2002 | $25.5B | $1.71B | 1.27% |
| 2003 | $20.9B | $1.94B | 1.07% |
| 2004 | $24.1B | $1.45B | 1.20% |
| 2005 | $23.6B | $2.04B | 1.04% |
| 2006 | $26.7B | $1.97B | 1.06% |
| 2007 | $24.6B | $2.42B | 0.91% |
| 2008 | $26.5B | $3.28B | 0.97% |
| 2009 | $21.6B | $3.09B | 0.92% |
| 2010 | $16.9B | $2.82B | 0.72% |
| 2011 | $2.5B | $6.57B | 0.10% |
| 2012 | $12.3B | $2.11B | 0.49% |
| 2013 | $14.1B | $5.78B | 0.49% |
| 2014 | $17.6B | $2.58B | 0.57% |
| 2015 | $18.0B | $2.09B | 0.54% |
| 2016 | $19.9B | $2.46B | 0.60% |
| 2017 | $21.8B | $1.95B | 0.64% |
| 2018 | $22.7B | $1.20B | 0.65% |
| 2019 | $16.0B | $1.56B | 0.45% |
| 2020 | $17.1B | $1.08B | 0.49% |
| 2021 | $23.4B | $4.62B | 0.57% |
| 2022 | $28.9B | $4.45B | 0.59% |
| 2023 | $33.8B | $1.65B | 0.72% |
| 2024 | $29.4B | $3.45B | 0.58% |
| 2025 | $28.1B | $2.97B | 0.53% |

## What's on a federal estate tax return?

Estates filing in 2024 reported $248.9 billion of gross estate, $81.9 billion of bequests to surviving spouses and $37.5 billion of charitable deductions (IRS Statistics of Income, 2026).

### Estates filing in 2024 reported $248.9 billion of gross estate

Across 7,195 returns. Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 3,720 estates deducted $81.9 billion of bequests to a surviving spouse in 2024

In 2024 that was the largest single deduction on estate tax returns, ahead of the charitable deduction. Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 1,733 estates deducted $37.5 billion for charity in 2024

Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 2,223 estates reported $25.0 billion of closely held stock in 2024

Closely held businesses are where valuation fights happen. Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 1,296 estates reported $2.7 billion of art in 2024

Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es01fy.xlsx) (July 2026).

## How has the estate tax exemption changed?

The federal estate tax exemption rose from $675,000 for deaths in 2001 to $15,000,000 for deaths in 2026, about 22 times as much (IRS).

### The exemption is $15,000,000 per person for deaths in 2026

Indexed for inflation after 2026. Sources: [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) and [Rev. Proc. 2025-32](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf).

### The exemption was $675,000 for deaths in 2001

Source: [IRS SOI, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2002, Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/02es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007).

### The exemption roughly doubled from $5.49 million in 2017 to $11.18 million in 2018

Source: [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026).

### Estates of people who died in 2010 could opt out of the estate tax

Congress reinstated the tax retroactively for 2010 with a $5 million exemption and let those estates file Form 8939 instead of Form 706. Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-6](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-irs-data-book-table-1-6) (June 2026), note 7.

### The annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000 per recipient in 2026

The same as 2025. Source: [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026).

### The top federal estate and gift tax rate is 40%

Above $1,000,000 of taxable transfers the tax is $345,800 plus 40% of the excess. Source: [26 U.S.C. § 2001(c)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2001).

2010 and 2018 are marked: 2010 because estates could opt out, 2018 because the exemption roughly doubled. The amounts are by year of death. Returns, in the section above, are counted by the year they were filed, usually the year after death.

| Year of death | Exemption | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | $675,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2002 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/02es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2002 | $1,000,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2003 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/03es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2003 | $1,000,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2004 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/04es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2004 | $1,500,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2005 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/05es01fyx.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2005 | $1,500,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2006 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/06es01fy.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2006 | $2,000,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2007 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/07es01fy.xlsx) (April 2011) |
| 2007 | $2,000,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2008 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/08es01fy.xlsx) (April 2011) |
| 2008 | $2,000,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2009 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/09es01fy.xlsx) (December 2010) |
| 2009 | $3,500,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2010 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/10es01fy.xlsx) (October 2011) |
| 2010 | $5,000,000 | [IRS SOI filing-year 2011 Table 1, note 1](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/11es01fy.xlsx) (August 2012) |
| 2011 | $5,000,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2012 | $5,120,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2013 | $5,250,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2014 | $5,340,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2015 | $5,430,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2016 | $5,450,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2017 | $5,490,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2018 | $11,180,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2019 | $11,400,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2020 | $11,580,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2021 | $11,700,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2022 | $12,060,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2023 | $12,920,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2024 | $13,610,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2025 | $13,990,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |
| 2026 | $15,000,000 | [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026) |

## California estate tax statistics

California filed more federal estate tax returns than any other state in every filing year from 2001 to 2024, including 1,440 in 2024 (IRS Statistics of Income, 2026).

### California filed the most federal estate tax returns of any state every year from 2001 to 2024

Ridley Law calculation from the SOI Table 2 state files for each year, linked in the table below.

### California filed 1,440 estate tax returns in 2024, 20% of the U.S. total

Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es02st.xlsx) (July 2026).

### 596 California returns owed federal estate tax in 2024

Source: [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es02st.xlsx) (July 2026).

### California estates reported $6.21 billion of net estate tax in 2024, 27% of the U.S. total

Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es02st.xlsx) (July 2026).

### The average taxable California estate reported about $10.4 million of estate tax in 2024

Ridley Law calculation from [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es02st.xlsx) (July 2026).

### California estate tax returns fell 92% from 17,995 in 2001 to 1,440 in 2024

Ridley Law calculation from [SOI 2001 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/01es02stx.xlsx) (March 2007) and [IRS Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Returns Filed in 2024, Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es02st.xlsx) (July 2026).

### The IRS collected $4.68 billion of estate tax from California addresses in fiscal 2025

About 17% of the national total. The IRS classifies collections by the filer’s address, which can be an attorney’s or accountant’s office, so this isn’t strictly by residence. Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-5](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-and-state-irs-data-book-table-1-5) (June 2026).

| Filing year | California returns | Share of U.S. returns | Taxable returns | Net estate tax | Share of U.S. net estate tax | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | 17,995 | 17% | 8,766 | $4.00B | 17% | [SOI 2001 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/01es02stx.xlsx) (March 2007) |
| 2002 | 16,027 | 16% | 7,313 | $3.53B | 17% | [SOI 2002 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/02es02stx.xlsx) (March 2007) |
| 2003 | 13,163 | 18% | 6,165 | $3.84B | 18% | [SOI 2003 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/03es02stx.xlsx) (March 2007) |
| 2004 | 11,808 | 18% | 5,787 | $3.67B | 17% | [SOI 2004 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/04es02stx.xlsx) (March 2007) |
| 2005 | 9,016 | 20% | 4,044 | $4.02B | 19% | [SOI 2005 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/05es02stx.xlsx) (March 2007) |
| 2006 | 9,346 | 19% | 4,492 | $4.17B | 17% | [SOI 2006 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/06es02st.xlsx) (October 2007) |
| 2007 | 7,322 | 19% | 3,635 | $4.70B | 21% | [SOI 2007 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/07es02st.xlsx) (April 2011) |
| 2008 | 7,100 | 19% | 3,322 | $5.08B | 20% | [SOI 2008 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/08es02st.xlsx) (April 2011) |
| 2009 | 6,207 | 19% | 2,965 | $4.45B | 22% | [SOI 2009 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/09es02st.xlsx) (September 2010) |
| 2010 | 3,009 | 20% | 1,335 | $3.09B | 23% | [SOI 2010 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/10es02st.xlsx) (October 2011) |
| 2011 | 806 | 18% | 288 | $0.62B | 20% | [SOI 2011 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/11es02st.xlsx) (August 2012) |
| 2012 | 1,702 | 18% | 753 | $1.83B | 22% | [SOI 2012 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/12es02st.xlsx) (August 2013) |
| 2013 | 1,766 | 17% | 838 | $2.61B | 21% | [SOI 2013 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/13es02st.xlsx) (October 2014) |
| 2014 | 2,212 | 19% | 1,053 | $3.21B | 20% | [SOI 2014 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/14es02st.xlsx) (October 2015) |
| 2015 | 2,193 | 18% | 975 | $4.52B | 26% | [SOI 2015 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/15es02st.xlsx) (October 2016) |
| 2016 | 2,419 | 19% | 1,071 | $3.94B | 22% | [SOI 2016 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/16es02st.xlsx) (October 2017) |
| 2017 | 2,591 | 20% | 1,179 | $5.15B | 26% | [SOI 2017 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/17es02st.xlsx) (October 2018) |
| 2018 | 2,723 | 20% | 1,205 | $4.18B | 21% | [SOI 2018 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/18es02st.xlsx) (January 2020) |
| 2019 | 1,282 | 20% | 552 | $2.76B | 21% | [SOI 2019 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/19es02st.xlsx) (January 2021) |
| 2020 | 717 | 21% | 296 | $2.33B | 25% | [SOI 2020 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/20es02st.xlsx) (October 2021) |
| 2021 | 1,156 | 19% | 519 | $3.62B | 20% | [SOI 2021 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/21es02st.xlsx) (October 2022) |
| 2022 | 1,707 | 21% | 743 | $5.37B | 24% | [SOI 2022 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/22es02st.xlsx) (September 2024) |
| 2023 | 1,812 | 20% | 805 | $8.58B | 19% | [SOI 2023 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/23es02st.xlsx) (September 2025) |
| 2024 | 1,440 | 20% | 596 | $6.21B | 27% | [SOI 2024 Table 2](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/24es02st.xlsx) (July 2026) |

## How often does the IRS audit estate tax returns?

The IRS examined 2.6% of estate tax returns filed for tax year 2021, down from 8.2% for tax year 2015 (IRS Data Book, 2026).

### 2.6% of estate tax returns for tax year 2021 were examined

Of 34,367 returns in the Form 706 series, which includes nonresident and generation-skipping transfer tax returns. Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 3-1](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-examination-coverage-and-recommended-additional-tax-after-examination-by-type-and-size-of-return-irs-data-book-table-3-1) (June 2026).

### 8.2% of estate tax returns for tax year 2015 were examined

Of 35,325 returns. Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 3-1](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-examination-coverage-and-recommended-additional-tax-after-examination-by-type-and-size-of-return-irs-data-book-table-3-1) (June 2026).

### Exams of tax year 2021 estate tax returns recommended $304.6 million of additional tax

The Data Book reports exam results as a snapshot that can still change. Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 3-1](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-examination-coverage-and-recommended-additional-tax-after-examination-by-type-and-size-of-return-irs-data-book-table-3-1) (June 2026).

### 448,155 gift tax returns were filed for tax year 2021

Source: [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 3-1](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-examination-coverage-and-recommended-additional-tax-after-examination-by-type-and-size-of-return-irs-data-book-table-3-1) (June 2026).

The Data Book counts every Form 706-series return by tax year, including returns filed only to elect portability. The Statistics of Income counts in the first section use a different base: Form 706 returns by the calendar year filed. Don’t compare the two counts directly. Tax years 2022 and 2023 are left out here because the Data Book says audits of those years are still being opened.

## How to read these numbers

The IRS publishes estate tax numbers on three different calendars, and mixing them is the most common mistake in articles about the estate tax.

| Measure | Publisher and table | Year basis | What it counts | Don’t confuse with |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Returns filed, taxable returns, net estate tax | IRS Statistics of Income, filing-year Tables 1 and 2 | Calendar year the return was filed | Form 706 returns at or above the filing threshold, estimated from a sample | Deaths in that year |
| Estate and gift tax collections | IRS Data Book, Tables 1-5 and 1-6 | Federal fiscal year (October to September) | Cash collected, including penalties and interest | Tax reported on returns |
| Exam coverage | IRS Data Book, Table 3-1 | Tax year | All Form 706-series returns, including nonresident and GST returns | SOI return counts |
| Exemption | IRS What’s New and SOI table notes | Year of death | Basic exclusion amount, which is also the filing threshold | Filing year |

**Don’t skip the return because no tax is due.** 4,532 of the 7,195 estates that filed in 2024 owed nothing. A surviving spouse can use the first spouse’s unused exemption only if the executor files a timely estate tax return electing it (IRC § 2010(c)(5)(A)). That return can be examined again when the second spouse dies, as the Tax Court held in Estate of Sower (2017). See [estate tax portability in California](https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-tax-portability-california/).

## Worked example: what the exemption change means for a $20 million estate

For a hypothetical single person with a $20 million taxable estate, today’s rate schedule produces about $6.6 million of tax at the 2009 exemption, $5.80 million at the 2017 exemption and $2.0 million at the 2026 exemption.

The example holds the rate schedule constant at today’s 40% top rate (IRC § 2001(c)) so only the exemption changes. Actual rates were higher before 2013. It assumes no prior taxable gifts and no marital or charitable deduction. A married couple using portability would have twice the exemption.

| Exemption level | Exemption | Tax under today's rate schedule | How it's computed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2009 level | $3,500,000 | $6,600,000 | 40% of ($20,000,000 minus $3,500,000) |
| 2017 level | $5,490,000 | $5,804,000 | 40% of ($20,000,000 minus $5,490,000) |
| 2026 level | $15,000,000 | $2,000,000 | 40% of ($20,000,000 minus $15,000,000) |

## What changes in California

- **No California estate tax.** California’s estate tax equals the federal credit for state death taxes (R&TC § 13302), so the federal return is the only estate tax return a California estate files. See [California estate tax in 2026](https://ridleylawoffices.com/california-estate-tax-planning-2026/).
- **California carries a large share of the federal tax.** California estates reported 27% of the net estate tax on 2024 returns while filing 20% of them.
- **Other states differ.** Some states impose their own estate or inheritance tax with lower exemptions. See [estate and inheritance tax by state](https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-inheritance-tax-by-state/).

## Related pages on this site

- [Estate planning statistics and California guides](https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-planning-statistics-and-california-guides/)
- [Average inheritance statistics](https://ridleylawoffices.com/average-inheritance-statistics/)
- [The great wealth transfer: statistics and the California picture](https://ridleylawoffices.com/great-wealth-transfer-california/)
- [Gift tax in 2026](https://ridleylawoffices.com/gift-tax-2026-california/)
- [Estate tax exposure calculator](https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-tax-calculator/)
- [High-net-worth estate planning in California](https://ridleylawoffices.com/high-net-worth-estate-planning-california/)

## Methodology

Every figure comes from the Internal Revenue Service: the Statistics of Income estate tax filing-year tables (filing years 2001 to 2024, released through July 2026), the IRS Data Book for fiscal 2025 (June 2026), IRS Publication 5332 (July 2026), the IRS What’s New page for estate and gift tax, and Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Statutes are cited from the U.S. Code and the California Revenue and Taxation Code. We excluded news reports and other secondary sources. Dollar amounts are as published, not adjusted for inflation. SOI amounts are estimates based on a sample. Findings marked “Ridley Law calculation” are our arithmetic from the linked tables. We’ll review the page when the IRS publishes filing-year 2025 tables. Report an error to eric@ridleylawoffices.com.

## Who this is for

Families whose estates are near or above the exemption, and the advisers who work with them. If the numbers on this page describe your family, the planning questions are on [estate and inheritance tax in California](https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-tax-guides/).

## Working with Ridley Law

I work alongside your CPA and, where the matter calls for it, co-counsel. Work at this level is built for each family and quoted in writing before any drafting starts. The first call is free and runs 30 minutes, by phone or Zoom. [Book my 30-minute call](https://ridley.click/eric-30) or call 805-244-5291.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many estates pay federal estate tax?

2,663 estate tax returns filed in 2024 owed tax, out of 7,195 filed, according to IRS Statistics of Income. Most were for deaths in 2023.

### How much money does the federal estate tax raise?

The IRS collected $28.1 billion of estate tax in fiscal 2025, about 0.5% of everything it collected. Estates reported $23.3 billion of tax on returns filed in 2024.

### What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2026?

$15,000,000 per person for deaths in 2026, indexed for inflation after that. A surviving spouse can also use up to a full basic exclusion amount left unused by the first spouse, if the first spouse’s executor elected portability (IRC § 2010(c)(4), (5)).

### Which state has the most estate tax returns?

California, in every filing year from 2001 to 2024. In 2024 it filed 1,440 of the 7,195 returns.

### How often does the IRS audit estate tax returns?

The IRS examined 2.6% of estate tax returns for tax year 2021 and 8.2% for tax year 2015, per the IRS Data Book.

### Does California have an estate tax?

No. California’s estate tax is tied to a federal credit for state death taxes that no longer applies, so a California estate files only the federal return.

This page is general information about federal and California law and IRS data as of its update date. It isn’t legal, tax, or investment advice for your situation, and reading it doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship.

Sources

- [Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income, Estate Tax Filing Year Tables](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-estate-tax-filing-year-tables), Tables 1 and 2 for filing years 2001 to 2024 (2024 tables released July 2026; accessed October 2026)
- [Internal Revenue Service, Publication 5332, Estate Tax Returns Filed for Wealthy Decedents, Filing Years 2015 to 2024](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5332.pdf) (Rev. 7-2026)
- [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-6](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-irs-data-book-table-1-6) (June 2026)
- [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 1-5](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-gross-collections-by-type-of-tax-and-state-irs-data-book-table-1-5) (June 2026)
- [IRS Data Book 2025, Table 3-1](https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-examination-coverage-and-recommended-additional-tax-after-examination-by-type-and-size-of-return-irs-data-book-table-3-1) (June 2026)
- [IRS, What’s New, Estate and Gift Tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax) (updated July 2026)
- [Internal Revenue Service, Rev. Proc. 2025-32](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf) (2025)
- [26 U.S.C. § 2001(c)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2001) and [26 U.S.C. § 2010(c)(5)(A)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2010) (accessed October 2026)
- [U.S. Tax Court, Estate of Sower v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. No. 11](https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4563577/estate-of-sower-v-commr/) (2017)
- [Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 13302](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=RTC&sectionNum=13302) (accessed October 2026)