Estate
How much money can you gift?
Quick answerIn 2026 you can give up to $19,000 per recipient with no gift tax return. Bigger gifts usually just reduce your $15,000,000 lifetime exclusion.
- The annual exclusion per donee is $19,000 for 2026. Source: IRS – Frequently asked questions on gift taxes, checked Oct 29, 2026.
- The annual exclusion for gifts to a spouse who is not a U.S. citizen is $194,000 for 2026. Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, checked Oct 29, 2026.
- The 2026 basic exclusion amount, shared by gift and estate tax, is $15,000,000. Source: IRS – What’s new, Estate and gift tax, checked Oct 29, 2026.
Connecticut is commonly reported as the only state with its own gift tax. We will state that as fact once confirmed on the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services site.
Nursing home planning: gifts within the annual exclusion can still trigger a Medicaid penalty. See Medicaid 5-year look-back.
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