As a result, for 2024, a single taxpayer can claim a federal estate and lifetime gift tax exemption of $13.61 million. Couples making joint gifts can double that amount. This exemption has helped affluent families pass along substantial gifts tax-free.
The IRS allows individuals to give away a specific amount of assets or property each year tax-free. For 2025, the annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000, up from $18,000 in 2024. This means a person can give up to $19,000 to as many people as he or she wants without having to pay any taxes on the gifts.
At a glance:
You don't have to report gifts to the IRS unless the amount exceeds $18,000 in 2024 (increasing to $19,000 in 2025). Any gifts exceeding $18,000 in a year must be reported and contribute to your lifetime exclusion amount.
Bottom Line. California doesn't enforce a gift tax, but you may owe a federal one. However, you can give up to $19,000 in cash or property during the 2025 tax year and up to $18,000 in the 2024 tax year without triggering a gift tax return.
From this perspective, if you are inclined to give, you should gift as much as you can comfortably afford during your lifetime, while remaining aware of the available step-up in capital gain basis for inherited assets. So, gift your assets that have minimal gains and save your most appreciated assets for inheritance.
Some commonly asked questions when it comes to gift tax can be, "Can I gift my adult children money?" or "Can I gift $100,000 to my son?" The answer to both questions is yes. However, gifting money to children can have financial and tax implications for both the giver and the recipient.
Gift tax is paid by the giver of money or assets, not the receiver. The good news is that this threshold is so high that few people end up having to pay the gift tax. These thresholds are referred to as exclusions.
If you want to give hefty gifts to your loved ones without worrying about paying a gift tax, you should give something that doesn't exceed the annual credit of $18,000. The good news is that the limit is set per person, and you can pay the same amount to another person in the same year without filing the return.
What Can Trigger a Gift or Estate Tax Audit? Here are some of the common factors that can lead to gift or estate tax audits: Total estate and gift value: Generally speaking, gift and estate tax returns are more likely to be audited when there are taxes owed and the size of the transaction or estate is relatively large.
Annual exclusion for gifts increases to $19,000 for calendar year 2025, rising from $18,000 for calendar year 2024.
A gift letter is a formal document proving that money you have received is a gift, not a loan, and that the donor has no expectations for you to pay the money back. A gift can be broadly defined to include a sale, exchange, or other transfer of property from one person (the donor) to another (the recipient).
You may even have to pay tax on the gift. The person who receives your gift does not have to report the gift to the IRS or pay gift or income tax on its value.
Another key difference: While there is no federal inheritance tax, there is a federal estate tax. The federal estate tax generally applies to assets over $13.61 million in 2024 and $13.99 million in 2025, and the federal estate tax rate ranges from 18% to 40%.
For 2024 (the taxes you file in 2025), the standard deduction amount is $14,600 ($15,000 for 2025). So, your child can earn up to that limit and owe no taxes on the income. If you pay your child more than the standard deduction per year, they'll only have to pay tax at the rates shown here (2024 tax year):
If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income.
Yes, your parents can gift you $100,000 for a house — but they'll have to file a gift tax return to disclose the gift since it exceeds the IRS exclusion amount of $18,000. Filing a return doesn't necessarily mean they'll automatically have to pay taxes.
Trusts can be written for minors or for adults, with the distribution of funds outlined in the trust agreement. “A trust is a good vehicle to clearly establish your intent for your gift while also functioning as a means to reduce the size of your taxable estate for the future," said Goldman.
The IRS allows every taxpayer is gift up to $19,000 to an individual recipient in one year. There is no limit to the number of recipients you can give a gift to. There is also a lifetime exemption of $13.99 million.
For 2021, you can forgive up to $15,000 per borrower ($30,000 if your spouse joins in the gift) without paying gift taxes or using any of your lifetime exemption. (These amounts are the same as in 2020.) But you will still have interest income in the year of forgiveness. Forgive (don't forget).
Rules on giving gifts. Inheritance Tax may have to be paid after your death on some gifts you've given. Gifts given less than 7 years before you die may be taxed depending on: who you give the gift to and their relationship to you.
You can gift assets through direct transfers, deed changes, living trusts, or by paying for others' expenses like tuition or life insurance premiums. Legal and tax advice is important when structuring these gifts.
Life insurance
The second way is with life insurance. It allows you to leave an inheritance without your beneficiaries having to pay income tax on the money they receive. So if you buy a policy with a $250,000 death benefit, your heirs will actually get $250,000.