Yes, married couples can combine their annual gift tax exclusions to significantly increase the amount they can give to a single recipient without incurring federal gift taxes. For 2025, the IRS allows each individual to gift up to $19,000 per recipient, meaning a married couple can jointly give up to $38,000 per recipient tax-free.
How It Works
The annual gift tax exclusion is designed to allow individuals to transfer wealth without triggering gift tax obligations. For married couples, the exclusion can be doubled when both spouses agree to split their gifts. This strategy is formally known as “gift-splitting” and requires the filing of IRS Form 709 to document the arrangement.
Benefits of Gift-Splitting
Combining exclusions provides several advantages:
- Increased Tax-Free Giving: By pooling their exclusions, couples can transfer more wealth to children, grandchildren, or other recipients without impacting their lifetime gift tax exemption.
- Estate Reduction: Regular annual gifts can reduce the size of a taxable estate, potentially lowering future estate tax liabilities.
- Enhanced Support: Larger tax-free gifts can provide meaningful financial assistance, such as funding education, purchasing a home, or starting a business.
- Flexibility in Planning: Couples can adapt their gifting strategies annually based on their financial goals and the needs of their recipients, offering more opportunities to align their gifts with long-term objectives.
Important Considerations
To maximize the benefits of gift-splitting, keep these points in mind:
- Filing Requirements: Both spouses must agree to split the gifts and file Form 709 to report the arrangement, even if no gift tax is owed.
- Direct Payments for Education or Medical Expenses: Payments made directly to institutions for tuition or medical costs do not count toward the annual exclusion and can further enhance a couple’s gifting strategy.
- Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of all gifts and filed forms to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
By leveraging the ability to combine exclusions, married couples can make larger tax-free gifts in 2025, support their loved ones, and achieve long-term financial goals. Thoughtful planning and adherence to IRS rules can help maximize the benefits of this strategy.
