What is the lifetime gift tax exemption?

In 2024 it's $13.61 million per person. Gifts above the annual exclusion reduce this lifetime exemption; gift tax is only owed once the exemption is fully used.

Do I pay tax on gifts I receive?

No — the recipient never pays gift tax. The giver is responsible for any gift tax and for filing Form 709 when gifts exceed the annual exclusion.

What is gift splitting?

Married couples can combine their exclusions to give $36,000 per recipient in 2024 ($18,000 each), even if the money comes from one spouse, by electing to split gifts.

Are there gifts that don't count at all?

Yes — paying someone's tuition or medical bills directly to the institution, gifts to a spouse, and gifts to charity are unlimited and don't count against your exclusion or exemption.

Gift Tax Calculator

By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the gift tax calculator?

In short

In 2024 you can give up to $18,000 per recipient with no gift tax and no paperwork (the annual exclusion). Gifts above that draw down your $13.61 million lifetime exemption before any 40% gift tax applies. Giving $30,000 to two people ($60,000 total) creates a $24,000 taxable gift, but no tax is owed unless your lifetime exemption is exhausted.

Applies the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime exemption to your gifts to determine the taxable amount, remaining lifetime exemption, and any gift tax owed.

How to use this calculator

1Enter how much you're giving each recipient.
2Enter the number of recipients — each gets their own $18,000 exclusion.
3Enter how much of your lifetime exemption you've already used.
4See the taxable gift, remaining exemption, and any tax owed.

The formula

taxable=gifts−($18,000×recipients)

tax=max(0,taxable−exemption)×40%

taxable = gifts − ($18,000 × recipients); tax = max(0, taxable − remaining exemption) × 40%

exclusion: — $18,000 × number of recipients
taxable: — total gifts − annual exclusion
exemption: — $13.61M lifetime − amount used
tax: — max(0, taxable − exemption) × 40%

Worked example

The scenario

$30,000 to each of 2 recipients, $0 lifetime exemption used.

gives

The result

Annual exclusion: $36,000. Taxable gift: $24,000. Gift tax owed: $0 (draws down lifetime exemption).

Common use cases

Parents gifting money to children or funding 529 plans.
Estate planning to transfer wealth and reduce a future taxable estate.
Tracking lifetime exemption usage across multiple years of gifts.

Limitations & assumptions

Uses the top 40% gift tax rate — actual rates are graduated for amounts above the exemption.
Does not model gift splitting between spouses, which can double the exclusion.
The lifetime exemption is scheduled to roughly halve after 2025 unless Congress acts.

Frequently asked questions

You can give up to $18,000 per recipient per year with no gift tax and no need to file a gift tax return. There's no limit on the number of recipients.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Gift details