Gift Tax Calculator
Giving money to family? The first $19,000 per person per year is tax-free, and gifts beyond that rarely owe tax. See what is reportable and how much lifetime exemption remains.
How this calculator works
Every year you can give up to the annual exclusion to each person with no reporting and no tax — $19,000 per recipient for 2026 ($38,000 when a married couple splits). Gifts above that must be reported on Form 709 and reduce your $15,000,000 lifetime exemption (2026), but owe no tax until that exemption is exhausted. Payments made directly to a school or medical provider for someone else do not count as gifts at all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay tax on a gift over $19,000?
Almost never. The amount over the exclusion reduces your lifetime gift-and-estate exemption — $15,000,000 per person in 2026 — and you pay tax only if your cumulative taxable gifts exceed that. You do have to file Form 709 to report the gift, and it counts against the exemption. Only a tiny fraction of estates ever owe gift tax.
Is the recipient taxed on gifts?
No — gift tax is always paid by the giver, and the recipient pays no income tax on a gift. Money you receive as a gift is not taxable income. The rules flip for inheritances only at the estate level.
Do tuition and medical payments count as gifts?
No, if paid directly to the institution — tuition paid straight to a school or medical bills paid to a provider are unlimited and never count against the exclusion. The catch: paying the student or the patient themselves instead counts as a regular gift.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for general information only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures reflect 2026 rules and may change. Always confirm current limits and consult a qualified professional before making decisions. Official figures: IRS.gov · 2026 limits per IRS tax inflation adjustments.