Gift Taxes
A gift that is made from detached generosity is generally not taxable income to the recipient nor deductible for the gift maker.
A gift made to a service provider can often result in taxable income to the service provider see Commissioner v. Duberstein. Sometimes such a “gift” or “gratuity” might also be deductible to the gift maker, but other times it is not ordinary and necessary and therefore it is not going to be deductible to the gift maker (but still being taxable to the service provider).
Reasonable fees: CA Probate Code Section 10801-10814
Gifts received from non-USA sources
Form 3520 needs to be filed when more than $100,000 is received from a nonresident alien individual or a foreign estate (including foreign persons related to that nonresident alien individual or foreign estate) that you treated as gifts or bequests or more than $15,601 is received from foreign corporations or foreign partnerships (including foreign persons related to such foreign corporations or foreign partnerships) that you treated as gifts. Gifts from Foreign Person
2024 changes TBA
Inflation-adjusted for 2024: the annual gift tax exclusion is $1x,000 ($1xx,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses). Married couples making more than $1x,000 from a jointly held account must each separately file a Form 709 gift tax return. ($xx,000 for couples in community property states). Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $1x,xxx,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2024). Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $xx,xxx,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $1x.x million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2023 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2023: the annual gift tax exclusion is $17,000 ($175,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses). Married couples making more than $17,000 from a jointly held account must each separately file a Form 709 gift tax return. ($34,000 for couples in community property states). Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $12,920,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2023). Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $25,840,000.
The state of Connecticut has an $11.4 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2022 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2022: the annual gift tax exclusion is $16,000 ($164,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses). Married couples making more than $16,000 from a jointly held account must each separately file a Form 709 gift tax return. ($32,000 for couples in community property states). Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $12,060,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2022). Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $24,120,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $9.1 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2021 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2021: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $15,000 ($159,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses). Married couples making more than $15,000 from a jointly held account must each separately file a Form 709 gift tax return. ($30,000 for couples in community property states). Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $11,700,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2021). Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $23,400,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $7.1 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2020 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2020: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $15,000 ($157,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $11,580,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2020).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $23,160,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $5.1 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2019 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2019: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $15,000 ($155,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $11,400,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2019).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $22,800,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $3.6 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2018 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2018: the annual gift tax exclusion is $15,000 ($152,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $5,600,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2018).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $11,200,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $2.6 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2017 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2017: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $14,000 ($149,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $5,490,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2017).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $10,980,000.
The state of Connecticut has a $2.0 million lifetime gift tax exemption.
2016 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2016: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $14,000 ($148,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $5,450,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2016).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $10,900,000.
- To obtain the benefit of portability of Decedent’s DSUE (deceased spousal unused exclusion) amount to Spouse, Decedent’s estate was required to file Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, on or before the date that is nine months after Decedent’s date of death or the last day of the period covered by an extension. PLR 201613010 Release Date: 3/25/2016 American Institute on Fed Tax seminar presentation
- Therefore it might be said that virtually every Last Will and Testament should have a provision to authorize the personal representative to timely file Form 706 and make an appropriate portability election (when there is a surviving spouse).
§6035 (discussion) New IRS rules require consistent basis reporting between estate and beneficiaries for inherited assets. These are now being reported to the IRS and beneficiaries (effective for returns filed after July 31, 2015). Also, see IRS Notice 2015-57. Form 8971 Instructions Form 8971 draft
2015 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2015: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $14,000 ($143,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $5,430,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2015).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election by 1/2/2018. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $10,880,000.
2014 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2014: the annual gift tax exclusion is unchanged at $14,000 ($143,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $5,340,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2014).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election by 1/2/2018. This effectively doubles the estate tax exemption to $10,680,000.
2013 changes
Inflation-adjusted for 2013: the annual gift tax exclusion increases to $14,000 ($143,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses).
Estate tax exemption and gift tax exemption increases to $5,250,000 with a 40% tax. (Lifetime gift tax exemption may drop after 2013).
Married couple estate tax exemptions are automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election by 1/2/2018 theoretically without the need to retain a lawyer to form a credit shelter trust. (but only if first spouse dies during 2011 or 2012 or 2013)
You need to file Form 706 for the $5MM portability election:
IRC section 2010(c)(5)(A) Election required. A deceased spousal unused exclusion amount may not be taken into account by a surviving spouse under paragraph (2) unless the executor of the estate of the deceased spouse files an estate tax return on which such amount is computed and makes an election on such return that such amount may be so taken into account. Such election, once made, shall be irrevocable. No election may be made under this subparagraph if such return is filed after the time prescribed by law (including extensions) for filing such return.”
But late elections are allowed by writing “FILED PURSUANT TO REV. PROC. 2017-34 TO ELECT PORTABILITY UNDER § 2010(c)(5)(A).” on the top of the late-filed Form 706.
2010 / 2011 / 2012 changes Estate tax exemption is $5MM with a 35% flat tax (as to be adjusted by Congress during 2012). Lifetime gift tax exemption jumps from $1MM to match this new $5MM level for gifts made during 2011. The amount increases to $5,120,000 for 2012. Lifetime gift tax exemption is scheduled to drop to $1MM on 1/1/2013. Married couple estate tax exemptions are now automatically portable (to the surviving spouse) by filing a timely, written election theoretically without the need to retain a lawyer to form a credit shelter trust. (but only if the first spouse dies during 2011 or 2012) update: Some members of Congress are seeking to change the estate tax exemption to $3.5MM with a 45% flat tax thereafter.
2010 changes Being aware of what one’s tax basis in assets received as a gift or inherited through a decedent’s estate has been a problem for years. Effective with 2010 the IRS has developed a form for passing over of tax basis to the recipients. In the future, this may develop to cover more assets, including gifts. New IRS basis reporting form 8939
2008 / 2009 changes Inflation-adjusted figures for 2009: the annual gift tax exclusion increases to $13,000 ($133,000 for gifts to non-citizen spouses). Other changes include: the limit for special use valuation is $1,000,000; recipients of gifts from certain foreign persons must be reported if those gifts exceed $14,139 in the aggregate; the 2% portion for Section 6166 is $1,330,000. The limit on contributions to funeral trusts is repealed for taxable years beginning after August 29, 2008.
Generally, an annual exclusion giving program is a simple and powerful method to reduce one’s taxable estate upon death. In general, an individual with a net worth over $3,500,000 in 2009 (or a married couple whose combined net worth exceeds $7,000,000) can anticipate that federal estate taxes will be due upon death.
An individual can give $15,000 each year to as many persons as he or she may choose. A donee may be a child, a child’s spouse, other family member, or a non-relative. Annual gifts that do not exceed the $15,000 limit are not subject to federal gift tax. and no gift tax return needs to be filed for such transfers. For most states, annual exclusion gifts often do not incur state gift taxation because most states do not impose a gift tax.
Annual exclusion gifts that are made outright to a grandchild or more remote descendant also do not incur generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. GST tax may otherwise apply when lifetime transfers or transfers upon death are made which skip a generation.
The federal estate tax benefit of a single $15,000 annual exclusion gift can be about $6,000. Any future appreciation in value or the accumulation of future income generated by the property given away is also excluded from the donor’s taxable estate.
For residents of the District of Columbia and Maryland, they used to see additional savings of about $1,100 because these jurisdictions imposed their own estate tax in addition to the federal estate tax. They are being partially phased out, or may already be completed phased out.
A married couple can effectively double the savings. This can be accomplished without the need for preparation and filing of IRS Form 709 with each spouse, separately each from their own separate bank account , giving $15,000 each per recipient (for a total of $30,000). Further, a married couple can use each individual spouse’s $15,000 annual limit regardless of which spouse actually owns the transferred money (or property), such as when a jointly held checking account is used to pay out the gifts from. This is accomplished by the timely filing of a federal gift tax return signed by both spouses, making the so-called “split-gift election.” The need for the separate gift tax return can sometimes be avoided simply by avoiding the use of a jointly held checking account for gift giving, and using a separately held bank account from which the gift is made from.
The Trouble with Joint Bank Accounts ‘Just in Case’
In addition to the $15,000 annual gift tax exclusion, an individual may directly pay medical or educational expenses in an unlimited amount. Such payments are excluded from the federal gift tax (also avoiding gift and estate taxes in most states) and do not reduce the $15,000 annual exclusion. If the person qualifies as your dependent for medical itemized deductions, you may be entitled to a deduction for the payments as well. See §2503(e)(1) and §25.2511-1(c)(1) Alternatively, such medical expenses may be utilized as itemized tax deductions by the recipient, see T.C. Memo. 2010-286.
As part of the $15,000 annual gift tax exclusion, an individual may directly pay property taxes. Such payments might be utilized as itemized tax deductions by the recipient, see T.C. Memo. 2010-286).
Annual exclusion gifts may be (and frequently are) made in trust. The trust must be specifically designed to ensure that annual gifts made in trust continue to qualify for the $15,000 annual exclusion, otherwise an annual gift tax return is required and your life-time exclusion is depleted.
Annual exclusion gifts also may be made to Educational Section 529 plans to cover college costs for a beneficiary, such as a grandchild. Special feature: optionally, via an election made on a gift tax return, five years of annual exclusion gifts may be made all at one time (i.e., up to $65,000 for an individual donor in 2009, or up to $130,000 for a married donor electing a split-gift election in 2009) to a Section 529 plan.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/saving-for-college-529-plans.aspx
Starting in 2018 some states allow $10,000 annually to be used for K-12 private school tuition – but Your 529 Plan May Not Follow New Tax Law
Quick look-ups:
1981 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $3,000
1982 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $10,000
2001 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $10,000
2002 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $11,000
2003 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $11,000
2004 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $11,000
2005 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $11,000
2006 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $12,000
2009 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $13,000
2010 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $13,000
2011 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $13,000
2012 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $13,000
2013 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $14,000
2014 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $14,000
2015 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $14,000
2016 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $14,000
2017 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $14,000
2018 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $15,000
2019 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $15,000
2020 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $15,000
2021 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $15,000
2022 IRS present interest gift annual donee exclusion: $16,000
The annual donee exclusion is not cumulative. Accordingly, if it is not used during a particular year, the opportunity to use that year’s annual donee exclusion vanishes. The use of reciprocal transfers to multiply the benefits of the annual donee exclusion is not permitted.
IRS Code §2503(b) The exclusion is available only when the gift transfer consists of a present interest (i.e., an interest or an estate commencing in possession or enjoyment immediately). No exclusion is available for a gift made to a trust for the transferor’s descendants or other donees where the value of a particular beneficiary’s right to income cannot be determined.
1997 IRS unified credit: $600,000
2001 IRS unified credit: $675,000
2002 IRS unified credit: $1,000,000
2003 IRS unified credit: $1,000,000
2004 IRS unified credit: $1,500,000
2005 IRS unified credit: $1,500,000
2006 IRS unified credit: $2,000,000
2007 IRS unified credit: $2,000,000
2008 IRS unified credit: $2,000,000
2009 IRS unified credit: $3,500,000
2010 IRS unified credit: unlimited (potentially no taxes due for deaths in 2010)
2011 IRS unified credit: $5,000,000
2012 IRS unified credit: $5,120,000
2013 IRS unified credit: $5,250,000
2014 IRS unified credit: $5,340,000
2015 IRS unified credit: $5,430,000
2016 IRS unified credit: $5,450,000
2017 IRS unified credit: $5,490,000
2018 IRS unified credit: $11,180,000
2019 IRS unified credit: $11,400,000
2020 IRS unified credit: $11,580,000
2021 IRS unified credit: $11,700,000
2022 IRS unified credit: $12,060,000
While the federal estate tax is increased in stages and repealed, the gift tax is fixed at $1,000,000 and remains in existence in 2010, the year of the repeal of the federal estate tax.
Lifetime gift exemption f/k/a applicable exclusion amount f/k/a unified credit
1981 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $???,000
1997 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $600,000
1998 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $625,000
1999 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $650,000
2000 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $675,000
2001 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $675,000
2002 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $1,000,000
2009 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $1,000,000
2010 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $1,000,000
2011 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,000,000
2012 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,120,000
2013 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,250,000
2014 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,340,000
2015 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,430,000
2016 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,450,000
2017 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $5,490,000
2018 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $11,180,000
2019 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $11,400,000
2020 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $11,580,000
2021 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $11,700,000
2022 IRS lifetime gifts allowed to utilize the unified credit: $12,060,000
Nolo Gift Tax FAQ
http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/ObjectID/DAC2BB31-35E4-43B2-9BDFA70AD3775418/catID/257899BC-C5FA-435D-BA9BCC083F55357E
What are Gift taxes?
http://law.freeadvice.com/tax_law/gift_tax_law/gift_taxes.htm
Findlaw Gift Tax Information
http://estate.findlaw.com/
GiftLaw Calculator (for charitable giving)
http://www.giftlaw.net/
| States That Impose Inheritance / Gift Taxes | |||||||||||||||
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State Tax Central (all states) http://www.statetaxcentral.com/ask.html
AZ has neither an inheritance tax nor a gift tax. http://www.fourpeaksplanning.com/estate-taxes.php
CT Gift Taxes http://www.brookfieldct.org/taxfacts.htm http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1509&q=271012&drsPNavCtr=%7C41130%7C41285%7C
NH State compared to every other State. http://www.nheconomy.com/nheconomy/obid/main/index.php?ID=36&ch_table=link5
NY gift tax returns do not have to be filed for gifts made on or after January 1, 2000. http://tax.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/tax.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=cV7-a9Eg&p_lva=&p_li=&p_page=1&p_cat_lvl1=25&p_cat_lvl2=32&p_search_text=&p_new_search=1
NC Gift Taxes http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/frm/pubs/fcs2738.html http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/gift/
TN Gift Taxes http://www.state.tn.us/revenue/misc/inheritgiftfaq.htm
Engagement rings. Depending on the State, these are either a completed gift upon acceptance or they are a contingent gift upon exchange of the wedding vows.