Gift Tax: How It Works, 2025 Exclusions and Limits
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What is the gift tax?
Gift tax limit 2025
How the gift tax exclusion works
- The annual exclusion is per recipient, not the sum total of all your gifts. That means, for example, that you could gift $19,000 in 2025 to your cousin, another $19,000 in 2025 to a friend, another $19,000 in 2025 to a neighbor, and so on without having to file a gift tax return.
- If you’re married, you and your spouse could each give away $19,000 in 2025 without needing to file a gift tax return. If you want to combine your annual exclusions to give someone a gift, you can choose to take advantage of "gift splitting"
. - Gifts between spouses are unlimited and generally don’t trigger a gift tax return. Although, if the spouse isn't a U.S. citizen, special rules may apply
. - Know what counts. Gifts to qualified nonprofits are charitable donations, not gifts.
What's the difference? Gift tax vs. inheritance tax
- Gift tax: Assets that you transfer to another person during your lifetime can be considered gifts. If the value of the transfer exceeds the annual gifting limit, you may need to file a gift tax return (but not necessarily pay taxes unless you exceed your lifetime gifting limit). The person who received the gift pays capital gains taxes if they later sell that asset for a profit.
- Inheritance tax: Assets that are passed down to another person after your death are considered inherited. The person who inherits the assets is responsible for paying inheritance tax on the transfer if applicable. There is no federal inheritance tax, but five states have state-level inheritance taxes. The bill will depend on the value of the transfer and the inheritor's relationship to you. Similar to gifts, the inheritor may be on the hook for capital gains taxes if they sell the assets later on for a profit.
What is the lifetime gift tax exemption?

Lifetime gift tax exemption amounts for 2025
Lifetime gift tax exemption example
What is the gift tax rate?
Gift tax rates
Taxable amount | Rate of tax |
---|---|
up to $10,000 | 18% |
$10,001 to $20,000 | 20% |
$20,001 to $40,000 | 22% |
$40,001 to $60,000 | 24% |
$60,001 to $80,000 | 26% |
$80,001 to $100,000 | 28% |
$100,001 to $150,000 | 30% |
$150,001 to $250,000 | 32% |
$250,001 to $500,000 | 34% |
$500,001 to $750,000 | 37% |
$750,001 to $1,000,000 | 39% |
$1,000,000 and over | 40% |
Common gift tax return triggers
Gifting large sums of money to family
- If grandparents put, say, $40,000 in a 529 plan for a grandchild, that may trigger the gift tax exclusion because it's over the limit.
- A special rule allows gift givers to spread one-time gifts across five years’ worth of gift tax returns to preserve their lifetime gift exclusion
.
Paying for vacations, cars or other stuff
- If you gift your child $40,000 to help with wedding costs or offer to pay for an expensive honeymoon, this could trigger a gift tax return.
- If you’re paying tuition or medical bills, paying the school or hospital directly can help avoid the gift tax return requirement (see the instructions to IRS Form 709 for details)
.
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Frequently asked questions
Who pays the gift tax?
Is the gift tax deductible?
Article sources
- 1. Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form 709. Accessed Jul 3, 2025.
- 2. Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form 709 : Gifts to Your Spouse. Accessed Jul 3, 2025.
- 3. Internal Revenue Service. About Form 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return. Accessed Jul 3, 2025.
- 4. Internal Revenue Service. IInstructions for Form 709: Qualified Tuition Programs (529 Plans or Programs). Accessed Jul 3, 2025.
- 3. Internal Revenue Service. About Form 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return. Accessed Jul 3, 2025.
- 6. Internal Revenue Service. Publication 525: Taxable and Nontaxable Income. Accessed Jul 3, 2025.
- 7. Internal Revenue Service. Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes. Accessed Jul 3, 2025.