But you won't actually owe any gift tax unless you've exhausted the amount of the lifetime exemption. The assets you receive as a gift or inheritance are not usually taxable income at the federal level. However, if the assets later produce income (they may earn interest or dividends, or you collect rent), that income is likely taxable. IRS Publication 525 contains the details.
In addition, some states have inheritance taxes. The general rule is that any gift is a taxable gift. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. Generally, the following gifts are not taxable.
Each time you report donations on Form 709, the IRS will lower your remaining lifetime exclusion accordingly, unless you choose to immediately pay gift tax that year. It is intended to prevent someone from passing an estate to a grandchild to avoid paying estate tax twice (once when you pass it to your child and again when the child passes it to your own child). It's common for a lawyer to help a family draw up an estate plan, while an expert advisor or public accountant prepares tax returns and helps deal with the IRS. In addition to the annual gift tax exclusion, donors must be aware of the basic exclusion amount.
Form 4506 has multiple uses and special attention should be paid when completing the form for a gift tax inquiry. Making a gift or leaving your estate to your heirs usually doesn't affect your federal income tax. However, most donors who can afford to make donations large enough to be subject to gift tax can also pay gift tax. Any gift you transfer during your lifetime that counts toward your lifetime exemption also lowers the threshold at which your estate may be subject to estate tax.
Wealth tax applies when your estate, collection of all money, property and assets you own is transferred after your death. When you file a gift tax return, the IRS will lower the remaining amount of the lifetime exclusion by the amount of your annual gift tax return. However, you won't have to pay any taxes until you've reached the lifetime gift tax exemption. You can get around the gift tax by contributing to someone's 529 college savings plan with a lump sum and then distributing it over five years for tax purposes.
The IRS will provide a copy of a gift tax return when Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, is successfully completed and submitted with justification and payment. However, you don't actually have to pay gift tax unless the value of your taxable lifetime gifts has exceeded your lifetime exclusion. The IRS will provide an account transcript for gift tax returns when Form 4506-T, Request for Tax Return Transcript, is successfully completed and submitted with justification.
