When figuring out how much of an estate the taxman gets to nibble on$,$ several deductions can assist in the finale. You can subtract funeral and administrative expenses, burying someone and sorting their paperwork isn$$t cheap after all. Outstanding debts, unpaid taxes $($IRS still needs theirs$),$ and charitable contributions. There$$s also the marital deduction, leave it all to your spouse, and the IRS politely steps aside. Toss in any casualty losses or conservation easements if the estate got unlucky or eco$-$friendly.