* Prior to 2011, each taxpayer was entitled to use only the exemption allotted to him or her, and any unused exemption amount would be lost. In 2011 and later years, portability of the gift and estate tax exemption between spouses allows the executor of the first deceased spouse’s estate to transfer any unused exemption amount (DSUEA) to the surviving spouse. This “portability” allows the second spouse to die to dispose of up to $24,120,000 worth of assets, estate tax free.