Obtaining Count For Identity

Is there a way to query a SQL server such that it will return the
current counter value of a field that increments automatically (an
identity field)? Using a MAX query might not necessarily give you the
correct information because it is possible that the high value records
were deleted. I checked the system tables and none of them appear to
have what I need. I suppose it would be possible to maintain a table
that lists all the incrementing columns, but ideally there would be a
way already built into SQL Server.

Thanks.