What is the Gift Tax Limit for 2025?

Gift Tax Limit for 2025

The Internal Revenue Service has determined that $19,000 in 2025 is the annual gift tax exclusion and permits individuals to transfer wealth without a basis for triggering tax reporting or taxation. The IRS estimates the exclusion saves taxpayers and the IRS hassle and money by keeping more of the very low income out of the tax system. It also fosters charitable giving and enables individuals to provide financial support for family members and loved ones without the cumbersome gift tax filings.

Year	Gift Tax Limit (Annual Exclusion)
2024	$18,000
2025	$19,000

 

Key Details About the Gift Tax Limit for 2025

• Per Recipient Limit: Up to $19,000 per individual.
• Unlimited Recipients: You can gift this amount to as many people as you wish.
• No Carryover: Unused portions do not roll over to future years.

 

 

How Does the Annual Gift Tax Exclusion Work?

Gift Type	Taxable or Not?	Explanation
Gift under $19,000	Not taxable	Covered by the annual exclusion.
Gift above $19,000	Taxable unless reported	Excess counts toward the lifetime exemption.
Educational or Medical	Not taxable	Must be paid directly to the institution.

 

Lifetime Estate and Gift Tax Exemption for 2025

Year	Lifetime Exemption Amount
2024	$13.61 million
2025	$13.99 million

• Unified Credit: The lifetime exemption applies to gifts and estate taxes combined.
• Reduction After 2025: Scheduled to revert to ~$5 million (adjusted for inflation) in 2026.

 

Are Gifts to Spouses Taxable in 2025?

For U.S. Citizen Spouses:

• Gifts are unlimited and not subject to the gift tax.

 

For Non-Citizen Spouses:

Year	Annual Exclusion Limit
2024	$185,000
2025	$190,000

 

What Gifts Are Exempt from the Gift Tax?

 

Exempt Gifts Include:

1. Educational Payments: Tuition paid directly to a school.
2. Medical Payments: Expenses paid directly to a provider.
3. Charitable Donations: Contributions to qualified charities.

 

Key Points:

• Payments must be direct to the institution or provider.
• There is no dollar limit on these exclusions.

 

 

Do You Need to File a Gift Tax Return in 2025?

 

When Filing is Required:

• Gifts exceeding $19,000 to any one recipient in 2025.
• Use Form 709: United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return.

 

Key Filing Details	Requirement
Filing Deadline	April 15, 2026
Extension Eligibility	Included with income tax filing extensions
Immediate Tax Due?	No, unless lifetime exemption is exceeded.

 

Steps to File Form 709:

1. Gather records of all gifts exceeding the exclusion amount.
2. Download Form 709 from the IRS website.
3. Complete the form with details of the gifts.
4. Submit the form by the deadline.

 

FAQs

Question	Answer
What happens if I exceed the gift tax limit?	Gifts exceeding $19,000 count against the $13.99 million lifetime exemption. Filing Form 709 is required, but no immediate tax is due.
Are charitable gifts taxable?	No, gifts to qualified charities are not subject to gift tax.
Do gifts below $19,000 need reporting?	No, gifts under the annual exclusion amount do not require filing a gift tax return.

 

Have questions about the 2025 gift tax limit? Contact us today to understand how the $19,000 exclusion impacts your financial planning and gift strategies!