Annual and Lifetime Gift Tax Exclusions

Q: I would like to make gifts to my children this year, but I am concerned about gift taxes. What amount can I give each child without being taxed?

A: As of January 1, 2024, the annual gift tax exclusion amount is $18,000 per recipient. This means that you can gift each of your children up to $18,000 this year without incurring any gift tax. If you are married, you and your spouse can each make gifts in the...

Q: I read your answer on your blog regarding the question “What happens if I make a $100,000 gift to my child one year?”. The answer said that “under current law, you can make $11.58 million dollars’ worth of gifts in your lifetime without incurring any gift tax liability”. If so, why do lots of online sites say that we can give up to $15,000, which is the max amount for tax free monetary gift?

A: There are two different exclusions that allow you to avoid gift tax: the annual gift tax exclusion ($15,000 per year in 2021 and $16,000 per year in 2022) and the lifetime gift tax exclusion amount ($11.7 million in 2021 and $12.06 million in 2022). When you gift...

Q: I’ve heard that I can make a $15,000 ($15,000 per year in 2021 and $16,000 per year in 2022) tax-free gift to someone every year. What happens if I make a $100,000 gift to my child one year? Do I pay a gift tax? Does my child?

2022 update: $15,000 per year in 2021 and $16,000 per year in 2022 A: The short answer is NO: you almost certainly will NOT have to pay any gift taxes. Remember, under current law, you can make $11.58 million dollars’ worth of gifts in your lifetime without incurring...