3 Responses for "How much are you taxed on money gifts?"

1. PepsiLime May 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am 1

   Gifts of money are never taxable to the person who receives them, no matter if it's 1 penny to all the money in the world. There is a form to fill out though for gifts received from a foreign person. I've attached the form & instructions (Form 3520) for you.

   If the giver if a US citizen they can give $12,000 per year per person as a gift without any tax consequences. Above that amount they have to file a gift tax return, but have a $1,000,000 lifetime exclusion they can draw against for the excess.

2. Wayne Z May 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am 2

   Gifts are not taxable to the receiver of the gift.

   Gifts may or may not be taxable to the giver. If the giver givers more than $12000 to any one person, a gift tax return needs to be filed. Gift tax may or may not be due.

3. bostonianinmo May 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am 3

   You pay no tax on bona-fide gifts you receive. The donor of the gift is responsible for paying any tax.

   If the donor is a foreign person or entity you may have to file a report (Form 3520) on the amount of the gift. If it is determined that it was not actually a gift but some other sort of income there may be taxes due.

   The foreign donor is technically liable for the US gift tax but cannot be compelled to file a US Gift Tax return. There may be a tax treaty between the US and the donor's country that affects their tax liability at home but won't affect YOUR tax liability as the recipient of the gift.