What to Know if Filing a Gift Tax Return

What-to-Know-if-Filing-a-Gift-Tax-Return

The deadline for filing your federal income tax return is April 18, 2022. Keep in mind that the deadline for filing a gift tax return is on the very same date. So, if you made large gifts to family members or heirs last year, it’s important to determine whether you’re required to file Form 709.

Do you need to file a gift tax return?

Generally, you must file a gift tax return for 2021 if, during the tax year, you made gifts that exceeded the $15,000-per-recipient annual gift tax exclusion (other than to your U.S. citizen spouse). (For 2022, the exclusion amount has increased to $16,000 per recipient or $32,000 if you split gifts with your spouse.)

You also need to file if you made gifts to a Section 529 college savings plan and wish to accelerate up to five years’ worth of annual exclusions ($75,000) into 2021. Other reasons to file include making gifts:

  • That exceeded the $159,000 (for 2021) annual exclusion for gifts to a noncitizen spouse,
  • Of future interests (such as remainder interests in a trust) regardless of the amount, or
  • Of jointly held or community property.

Keep in mind that you’ll owe gift tax only to the extent an exclusion doesn’t apply and you’ve used up your federal gift and estate tax exemption ($11.7 million for 2021). As you can see, some transfers require a return even if you don’t owe tax.

No return needed

Filing a gift tax return is not required if your gifts for the year consist solely of gifts that are tax-free because they qualify as annual exclusion gifts, present interest gifts to a U.S. citizen spouse, educational or medical expenses paid directly to a school or health care provider, or political or charitable contributions.

But if you transferred hard-to-value property, such as artwork or interests in a family-owned business, consider filing a gift tax return even if you’re not required to. Adequate disclosure of the transfer in a return triggers the statute of limitations, generally preventing the IRS from challenging your valuation more than three years after you file.

Rely on the professionals

If you’re unsure whether you should be filing a gift tax return or if you owe gift tax to the IRS, the accounting, tax, and advisory services professionals at Ramsay & Associates can help. Act quickly, though, because the filing deadline is fast approaching. Contact us today.

This entry was posted in Tax Related and tagged , , , by Brady Ramsay. Bookmark the permalink.

About Brady Ramsay

Brady is the owner of Ramsay & Associates. He specializes in financial statement preparation and personal, fiduciary and corporate tax and accounting. His professional experience includes seven years' experience for local and national CPA firms before joining Ramsay & Associates in 2006. He has a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the Minnesota Society of CPA's, an Eagle Scout, as well as an active volunteer in the community.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

PLEASE SOLVE THE CAPTCHA TO CONTINUE *