Form 706 Schedule

Form 706 Schedule M: Marital Deduction

Schedule M of Form 706 is used for certain property interests passing to the surviving spouse. The current IRS instructions control what must be reported and how values or deductions are supported.

Updated September 6, 2026 • Verify current agency instructions before filing.

What Schedule M is for

Schedule M of Form 706 is used for certain property interests passing to the surviving spouse. The current IRS instructions control what must be reported and how values or deductions are supported.

Records to gather

Prepare beneficiary terms, QTIP/election information and value of property passing to the spouse. Keep source documents and valuation work with the estate file so amounts on the schedule can be traced back to supporting records.

Preparation workflow

  1. Identify items that belong on Schedule M under the current instructions.
  2. Gather ownership, valuation or deduction support.
  3. Enter each item consistently with the date-of-death valuation and other Form 706 schedules.
  4. Reconcile the schedule total to the Form 706 recapitulation.
  5. Attach appraisals, statements or explanations when the instructions require them.
Schedule-specific rules matter. This page is a preparation overview, not a substitute for the current IRS Form 706 and Schedule M instructions.

Related Form 706 resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every estate file Schedule M?

No. Schedule M is used when the estate has the items, deductions or tax computations described in the current instructions.

Should the schedule total reconcile to Form 706?

Yes. Schedule totals should be reconciled to the appropriate Form 706 recapitulation lines and supporting records.

Where can I get the current schedule?

Use the IRS Form 706 page and current instructions; the IRS publishes separate schedule PDFs for many Form 706 schedules.