Updated 2026-07-08
What this actually means for an Oregon estate
Only the value above $1 million is taxed, after the unlimited marital deduction and charitable bequests reduce the taxable estate. Lifetime gifting (the gift tax calculator) and the step-up in basis (the step-up calculator) are the standard tools for estates near this line.
Why is Oregon's estate tax exemption the lowest in the country?
Oregon's legislature set its exemption at $1,000,000 and has left it there, which makes it the lowest of any estate-tax state on this site and a fifteenth of the $15 million federal exemption. Above that line, rates climb to a top of 20%, tying Hawaii and Washington for the highest.
In many Oregon markets, a home's value alone approaches or exceeds $1 million, so an estate can owe Oregon tax without any unusual wealth involved. Weigh Oregon against the federal figure in the calculator.
| Figure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exemption | $1,000,000 |
| Top rate | 20% |
| Source | Oregon estate tax statute (flat threshold, not annually indexed) |
Confirm current figures with the Oregon Department of Revenue before relying on them.