Illinois Estate Tax and Farmland: Why the $4 Million Exemption Catches More Farm Families Than It Should

Jared Williams, Managing Broker of Archer Realty

Published on: 22/10/2026

Illinois exempts only $4 million per individual from estate tax — not portable between spouses. A farm worth $5 million can owe roughly $285,000 at the state level.

Illinois estate tax farmlandIllinois estate tax $4 millionfarm estate tax planning IllinoisIllinois estate tax exemptionfarmland estate tax spousefarm estate Illinois 2026Illinois estate tax ratebypass trust Illinois farmland

Illinois Estate Tax and the $4 Million Cliff: What Farm Families Need to Check Before Year End

Jared Williams, Managing Broker of Archer Realty

Published on: 15/10/2026

Illinois estate tax starts at $4 million per person and is not portable between spouses. Farm families with land near that threshold need a plan before year end.

Illinois estate tax farmlandIllinois $4 million estate tax exemptionfarm estate planning IllinoisIllinois estate tax 2026farmland estate tax planningIllinois estate tax portabilityyear-end estate planning Illinois

The $15 Million Federal Exemption Does Not Protect Your Illinois Farm From the $4 Million State Cliff

Jared Williams, Managing Broker of Archer Realty

Published on: 26/09/2026

A 400-acre Sangamon County farm at $13,000 an acre owes nothing federally and pays Illinois estate tax from dollar one. Here is what to do before year end.

Illinois estate tax farmlandfarmland estate planning 2026Illinois $4 million exemptionFamily Farm Preservation Actfarm estate tax clifffarmland gifting strategyestate tax Illinois 2026Sangamon County farmland estate