Maximize Your Gift Tax Annual Exclusion

As the year winds down, many people start thinking about holiday generosity and financial planning. If you’re considering year-end gifts, there’s a smart way to give that can also help reduce future estate tax exposure: the gift tax annual exclusion.

What Is the Gift Tax Annual Exclusion?

The annual exclusion allows you to give a certain amount to as many people as you like each year—completely free of gift tax. For 2025, that amount is $19,000 per recipient, and it stays the same for 2026.

Important: You must use your exclusion by December 31. It doesn’t roll over. If you skip gifting this year, you can’t double up next year.

Why Use It?

Annual exclusion gifts are one of the simplest ways to reduce your taxable estate.

For example:

• If you have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren, you can give each person $19,000 before year-end.
• That’s $228,000 tax-free ($19,000 × 12 recipients).

And if you’re married? You can double the exclusion through “split gifts,” giving $38,000 per recipient with your spouse’s consent.

What About Reporting?

Large gifts and split gifts require IRS reporting. Each spouse must file an individual gift tax return—there’s no joint return option. Also, remember that gifts must be of a “present interest” to qualify for the exclusion.

Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption

If you exceed the annual exclusion, you can tap into your lifetime exemption:

• 2025: $13.99 million
• 2026 onward: $15 million (thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), indexed for inflation.

Any lifetime gifts reduce the estate tax exemption available at death.

Gifts That Are Always Tax-Free

Some gifts are exempt from gift tax entirely, including:

• Transfers between spouses (if the recipient is a U.S. citizen)
• Donations to qualified charities
• Payments made directly to healthcare providers for medical expenses
• Payments made directly to educational institutions for tuition

Example: Paying your grandchild’s tuition directly to their college doesn’t count against your annual exclusion or lifetime exemption.

Before You Give: Review Your Estate Plan

Year-end gifting is a great opportunity to align with your long-term wealth transfer goals.

Consider:

• Which assets make the most sense to gift
• Proper documentation
• How gifting fits into your overall estate strategy

Working with a financial advisor can help ensure your plan is both tax-efficient and aligned with your objectives.

Bottom Line

The gift tax annual exclusion is a powerful tool for wealth transfer. Use it before December 31 to maximize benefits—and start the new year with peace of mind.