US Tax Tools

Gift Tax Lifetime Exemption Calculator

Build a multi-year gift ledger across recipients, spouses and 529 elections, then see what remains of the unified lifetime exemption.

01GIFT PLAN
Multi-year gift plan
02EXEMPTION LEDGER
The plan transfers $500,000. Annual exclusions shelter an estimated $190,000, leaving $310,000 to report against the lifetime exemption.

Lifetime exemption remaining

$14,690,000

New taxable gifts

$310,000

Estimated tax above exemption

$0

Estimated Form 709 filing years: 5. Gift splitting is an election and generally requires Form 709; the five-year 529 election allocates one contribution across five annual exclusions.

Need to confirm whether this year’s gift requires a return?Open the Form 709 checker
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A ledger, not a filing return

The planner tracks simplified present-interest gifts. Appraisal discounts, trusts, community property, non-citizen spouses, GST transfers and prior-period adjustments require separate review.

Gift planning questions

What is the 2026 annual gift tax exclusion?

The annual exclusion is $19,000 per donor, per recipient for qualifying present-interest gifts in 2026.

What is the 2026 lifetime gift and estate exemption?

The unified federal lifetime exemption is $15,000,000 per individual in 2026. Taxable lifetime gifts generally reduce the exemption available to the estate.

How does the five-year 529 election work?

A donor may elect on Form 709 to treat a qualifying 529 contribution as made ratably over five years, using up to five annual exclusions.

Does gift splitting avoid Form 709?

No. Gift splitting is an election reported on Form 709. Each spouse has a separate annual exclusion and lifetime exemption.

Sources

Related Calculators

Last updated July 29, 2026 Tax year 2026

Data sources: IRS Form 709 instructionsIRS gift tax FAQs

This tool is general information only, not financial advice.

Reviewed by USTax Tools Editorial Desk

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