By Bennett Allison, CPA and Gabriela Mandiuc, CPA
The annual gift tax exclusion was increased on January 1, 2022 from $15,000 to $16,000. The IRS officially announced the increase in Revenue Procedure 2021-45.
While the increase is relatively minor and only reflects annual inflation adjustments, it reminds us what a powerful tool the gift and estate tax planning annual exclusion can be. It’s also worth recon
sidering the timing of annual gifts.
- A married couple, with two children (each with spouses), and four grandchildren could gift $256,000 per year with no gift & estate tax consequences. That is, $16,000 gifted by each spouse (times 2) to eight beneficiaries (times 8).
- The $256,000 per year over a multi-year period adds up quickly. For example, over a five year period, gifts of $256,000 each year adds up to $1.28 million.
- No complex gift & estate planning is required. It’s as simple as cutting checks to each beneficiary for the $16,000.
- When to give? Most taxpayers wait until the end the year. This may not be advisable especially with elderly taxpayers. Instead, gifting at the beginning of the year will ensure that the annual exclusion gets used each year. For example, $256,000 is gifted on January 1 using the annual exclusion. The married couple dies on January 30. Assuming the couple were in a taxable estate situation, they save $102,400 in estate taxes ($256,000 x 40% estate tax rate) by gifting early in the year. That is, the current year gift tax annual exclusion would no longer be available after their deaths.
Often times “just making gifts” is not that simple. You may be concerned about what happens to property after being gifted. There may be concerns about in-laws receiving gifted property now or in the future. In some cases, children and future generations have their own gift & estate tax concerns and receiving property outright just exacerbates the problem. All of these concerns can be addressed within the confines of annual gifting. Addressing these concerns unfortunately increases the time, expense, and complexity of the planning.
Every individual has unique needs, and the professionals at Sol Schwartz & Associates are here to guide you through the process.
For more information regarding the new gift tax exclusion or 2022 gifting limits, email Bennett Allison, cba@ssacpa.com, Gabriela Mandiuc, gam@ssacpa.com, or contact anyone at Sol Schwartz & Associates at 210.384.8000. From New Braunfels to New York, Boerne to Boston, Kerrville to Floresville, or anywhere else you find yourself, we’re ready to help.
FURTHER READING:
There’s Currently a ‘Stepped Up Basis’ if You Inherit Property — But Will it Last?
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