Gifts under the annual exclusion are tax-free and don't touch your lifetime exemption. See what counts.
Shows how much of your gifting stays fully tax-free under the 2025 annual exclusion and how much begins to draw down your lifetime gift and estate exemption.
For 2025 you can give up to 19,000 per recipient per year without any gift tax filing or reduction of your lifetime exemption. A married couple who elects to split gifts can give 38,000 per recipient by combining both spouses' exclusions. There is no limit on the number of recipients, so a couple gifting to several children and grandchildren can move substantial wealth each year. Amounts at or below the exclusion do not require a gift tax return in most cases.
Gifts above the annual exclusion are not immediately taxed; instead the excess reduces your lifetime gift and estate exemption, roughly 13.99 million per person for 2025. You report those gifts on Form 709 to track the running total against the exemption. Only after the lifetime amount is fully used would actual gift tax apply. This tool provides estimates and is not tax or legal advice; large or complex gifts warrant professional guidance.
Usually not, because the excess simply reduces your large lifetime exemption rather than creating an immediate tax. You would only owe gift tax after using up the full lifetime amount.
Gift splitting lets a married couple treat a gift made by one spouse as though each gave half. This effectively doubles the annual exclusion to 38,000 per recipient but generally requires filing a gift tax return.
No, amounts you pay directly to a school for tuition or to a provider for medical care are not treated as gifts. They do not use your annual exclusion or lifetime exemption.
See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.