Where My Taxes Go

Tax numbersTax years 2026 and 2025IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32

Gift tax exclusion 2026 and 2025

In 2026 you can give up to $19,000 to each person without filing a gift tax return (the same as 2025). Above that, gifts use up your lifetime exemption of $15,000,000; tax is due only after that is gone.

2025FinalFor returns filed in 2026. Rev. Proc. 2024-40.
2026Current yearFor returns filed in 2027. Rev. Proc. 2025-32 § 4.42; Public Law 119-21 § 70106.
2027Not yet publishedNot published as of 9 October 2026. The 2027 annual exclusion will be in the IRS revenue procedure that follows Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Until then, plan with the 2026 figures on this page.
Gift tax exclusion 2026 and 2025Per giver. Only the amount above the annual exclusion counts against the lifetime exemption.
20262025Change
Annual exclusion, per person you give to$19,000$19,000No change
Annual exclusion, married couple splitting gifts$38,000$38,000No change
Gifts to a spouse who is not a US citizen$194,000$190,000+$4,000 (+2.1%)
Lifetime exemption (shared with the estate tax)$15,000,000$13,990,000+$1,010,000 (+7.2%)
Top gift and estate tax rate40%40%No change

Source: IRS, Rev. Proc. 2025-32: 2026 inflation adjustments (as amended by Public Law 119-21, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act)

Gift tax calculator

Tax year

Taxable gift (uses lifetime exemption)

The first $19,000 is covered by the annual exclusion. You file Form 709; no tax is due until total lifetime taxable gifts pass $15,000,000. Exemption left: $14,969,000.

Assumes no earlier taxable gifts. Payments made directly to a school (tuition) or medical provider, and gifts to a US-citizen spouse, are not counted at all.

How the two limits work together

Give $50,000 to your child in 2026 and $19,000 of it is excluded. The other $31,000 is a taxable gift: you report it on Form 709, it reduces your $15,000,000 lifetime exemption, and no tax is paid. Gift tax is owed only once your lifetime taxable gifts pass the exemption.

The exemption is shared with the estate tax: what you use during life is not available at death. See estate tax exemption 2026.

Questions and answers

What is the annual gift tax exclusion for 2026?
$19,000 per recipient, the same as 2025. A married couple can give $38,000 together.
Do I pay tax if I give more than the exclusion?
Usually not. You file Form 709 and the excess reduces your $15,000,000 lifetime exemption; tax is due only after that is used up.
Does the person who receives a gift pay tax?
No. The federal gift tax, if any, is owed by the giver.

Related

Sources

  1. IRS, Rev. Proc. 2025-32: 2026 inflation adjustments (as amended by Public Law 119-21, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act).
  2. IRS, Rev. Proc. 2024-40: 2025 inflation adjustments.
  3. Public Law 119-21 (One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act), 139 Stat. 72, 4 July 2025.
  4. 26 U.S.C. § 2001 (estate tax rate schedule).
  5. Every figure on this page was checked against the documents above by an automated test on 9 October 2026. Status of 2027 figures checked on 9 October 2026 (IRS newsroom and SSA). Page built 2026-10-09.