Gift Laws and Tax Implications in Utah
Everyone loves gifts, but did you know that if you gift a large sum of money you might need to pay a federal gift tax? Before gifting money, you must understand the federal tax laws to ensure you’re following all gift tax guidelines set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
AA Tax & Accounting Services has compiled a guide to help you navigate gift tax for Utah residents — keep reading to learn more.
What Is Gift Tax?
The gift tax is a federal tax that is applied to money or property that is gifted to another person for nothing in return. It also applies to transfers where the gift giver receives less than the full value in return.
You may be wondering why you’ve never heard of this or paid a gift tax — it doesn’t apply to all gifts. If your gift or inheritance meets the set criteria, the IRS can collect a tax if you’ve already exceeded the annual or lifetime gift exemptions. So what are these exemptions? Let’s find out.
When Is a Gift Tax Applied?
As of 2020, the annual exclusion is set to a gift of at least $15,000 in a single calendar year — this number increases to $30,000 if a couple is gifting money from joint accounts or assets. Additionally, there is a cap on the amount a person can be gifted within their lifetime. This lifetime exclusion was raised to $11.58 million in 2020.
If your gifts are valued at or above these thresholds, you will need to report it to the IRS. Any gift of money or assets under these amounts are excluded from gift taxes.
Gift Tax for Utah Homeowners
If you live in Utah, there is no inheritance tax. But that doesn’t mean you’re always off the hook when it comes to paying taxes. If you are gifted something in an inheritance from a person who lives in a state other than Utah, there might be an inheritance tax applied to out-of-state inheritors. This varies from state to state, so you must take the time to understand inheritance laws if you inherit money or assets above the specified threshold from someone who lives outside of Utah.
Similarly, Utah also doesn’t have a gift tax. You will follow the same federal exclusions of $15,000 per individual — if you receive a gift at or above this amount you will need to report it to the IRS. While you won’t pay tax on the specified amount, the gift will reduce your lifetime exemption of $11.18 million.
Tax Consulting Services in Cedar City, Utah
There’s no reason to stress out about receiving a gift or inheritance. If you have questions about reporting a gift over $15,000 to the Internal Revenue Service, AA Tax & Accounting Services can help you navigate the process and walk you through everything you need to know.
The AA Tax & Accounting Services team is committed to helping you feel confident come tax season. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
