The 2024 Gift Tax Return Deadline is Coming Up Soon
If you made significant gifts to your children, grandchildren or other heirs last year, it’s important to determine whether you’re required to file a 2024 gift tax return. And in some cases, even if it’s not required to file one, you may want to do so anyway.
Requirements to file
The annual gift tax exclusion was $18,000 in 2024 (increased to $19,000 in 2025). Generally, you must file a gift tax return for 2024 if, during the tax year, you made gifts:
- That exceeded the $18,000-per-recipient gift tax annual exclusion for 2024 (other than to your U.S. citizen spouse),
- That you wish to split with your spouse to take advantage of your combined $36,000 annual exclusion for 2024,
- That exceeded the $185,000 annual exclusion in 2024 for gifts to a noncitizen spouse,
- To a Section 529 college savings plan and wish to accelerate up to five years’ worth of annual exclusions ($90,000) into 2024,
- Of future interests — such as remainder interests in a trust — regardless of the amounts, or
- Of jointly held or community property.
Important: You’ll owe gift tax only if an exclusion doesn’t apply and you’ve used up your lifetime gift and […]