Gift Tax Calculator

Estimate your U.S. federal gift tax exposure in seconds. This calculator helps donors and advisors determine annual exclusion usage, taxable gifts, lifetime exemption impact, filing requirements (Form 709), and any estimated tax due—based on IRS rules.

Results

Enter values to see whether Form 709 is required.
Annual exclusion per recipient
$0.00
Total annual exclusions applied
$0.00
Taxable gifts this year
$0.00
Lifetime exemption (effective)
$0.00
Remaining exemption before this gift
$0.00
Exemption used by this gift
$0.00
Amount over exemption (after gift)
$0.00
Estimated gift tax due now
$0.00
Cumulative taxable gifts (before → after)
$0.00 → $0.00

This estimator is for educational purposes and does not constitute tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional.

Data Source and Methodology

Primary source: IRS, “Instructions for Form 709 (United States Gift (and Generation‑Skipping Transfer) Tax Return)”, 2024 Revision. Direct link: irs.gov/instructions/i709. Annual exclusion and unified credit amounts for 2018–2024 are based on IRS releases (e.g., Rev. Proc. 2023‑34).

All calculations strictly follow the formulas and data provided by this source.

The Formula Explained

1. Annual exclusions:

$$E_{\text{total}} = r \times E_{y} \times s,\quad s = \begin{cases}2 & \text{if gift-splitting}\\ 1 & \text{otherwise}\end{cases}$$

2. Taxable gifts for the year:

$$T = \max\left(0,\; G - E_{\text{total}} - C - M\right)$$

3. Effective lifetime exemption:

$$L_{\text{eff}} = s \times L_{y}$$

4. Exemption used by this gift:

$$U = \min\left(T,\; \max(0, L_{\text{eff}} - P)\right)$$

5. Estimated tax due now (τ is the progressive gift tax function from IRS rate schedule):

$$\text{TaxDue} = \tau\!\left(\max\!\left(0, P+T - L_{\text{eff}}\right)\right) - \tau\!\left(\max\!\left(0, P - L_{\text{eff}}\right)\right)$$

Glossary of Variables

G (Total Gifts): Total amount gifted to all recipients in the year.
r (Recipients): Number of unique donees.
E_y (Annual Exclusion): Per‑recipient annual exclusion for the selected year.
s (Splitting Factor): 2 if electing gift‑splitting with spouse, 1 otherwise.
C (Charitable Deduction): Qualifying gifts to charities in the year.
M (Marital Deduction): Gifts to a U.S. citizen spouse (generally unlimited).
P (Prior Gifts): Cumulative taxable gifts before this year. If splitting, includes spouse’s prior taxable gifts when provided.
L_y (Lifetime Exemption): Unified credit equivalent for the selected year.
T (Taxable Gifts): Current year gifts after exclusions and deductions.
U (Exemption Used Now): Portion of T covered by remaining lifetime exemption.
τ(·): IRS progressive gift tax rate function on taxable amounts above thresholds.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Example

Scenario (2024): You and your spouse give a total of $100,000 to two adult children, elect gift‑splitting, and have no prior taxable gifts. No charitable or marital deductions apply.

  1. Annual exclusion per donor per donee is $18,000. With gift‑splitting, per donee exclusion doubles to $36,000. With 2 recipients: $36,000 × 2 = $72,000.
  2. Taxable gifts for the year: $100,000 − $72,000 = $28,000.
  3. Combined lifetime exemption: 2 × $13,610,000 = $27,220,000. Prior taxable gifts P = $0.
  4. Exemption used now: min($28,000, $27,220,000) = $28,000.
  5. Amount over exemption: $0 → Estimated gift tax due: $0.
  6. Form 709 filing is still required because you elected gift‑splitting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I owe gift tax if I stay under the lifetime exemption? Generally no. You may need to file Form 709 to report taxable gifts, but tax is typically due only when cumulative taxable gifts exceed the lifetime exemption.
When must I file Form 709? You must file if you exceed the annual exclusion to any donee, make gifts of future interests, elect gift‑splitting, or claim certain deductions. See the IRS Instructions for Form 709 for specifics.
What are the annual exclusion amounts? 2018–2021: $15,000; 2022: $16,000; 2023: $17,000; 2024: $18,000 (per recipient, per donor).
How does gift‑splitting affect my calculation? It doubles the annual exclusion per recipient and lets each spouse use their own lifetime exemption. A timely Form 709 is required by both spouses to consent.
Are gifts to a spouse or charity taxable? Gifts to a U.S. citizen spouse and qualifying charities are generally deductible and reduce taxable gifts. Gifts to a non‑citizen spouse have a special annual limit and are not modeled here.
Does this calculator include state gift taxes? Federal gift tax is modeled. Most U.S. states do not impose a separate gift tax; check your state’s rules if applicable.
Which years are supported? 2018 through 2024 for annual exclusions and lifetime exemptions, using IRS data available for those years.

Tool developed by Ugo Candido. Content verified by the CalcDomain Tax Research Team.
Last reviewed for accuracy on: September 13, 2025.