How much tax do you pay on a gift?

Taxpayers typically only pay gift tax on the amounts that exceed the allotted lifetime exclusion, which was $12.92 million in 2023 and is $13.61 million in 2024. Gift tax rates range from 18% to 40%. Of course, there are exceptions and special rules for calculating the tax, so check the instructions for IRS Form 709 for all the details

What if I give more than the gift tax limit?

If you give more than the annual gift tax limit, you may have to file a gift tax return, but this does not necessarily mean that you'll owe taxes on the gift. The 2024 annual gift tax exclusion is $18,000. Sending a $20 bill with a graduation card? No need to sweat the federal gift tax.

What is a gift tax?

The gift tax is a federal tax on transfers of money or property to other people who are getting nothing or less than full value in return. Two factors determine how much you can give away before owing taxes on the gifted amount: the annual gift tax limit and the lifetime gift tax limit.