1 Gift Tax

U.S. Tax Law Essentials · 5:14

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When you give away your wealth for free
There's a tax that Uncle Sam might see
Eighteen thousand dollars is the line
Give below that and you'll be fine
Annual exclusion keeps it clear
No filing forms throughout the year

[Chorus]
Gift tax rules, remember these
Unified system holds the keys
Eighteen thousand annual free
Thirteen point six million lifetime spree
Present interest is the way
Or your exclusion fades away

[Verse 2]
Lifetime exemption's quite a sum
Thirteen point six one until twenty-six comes
Then it drops to seven million or so
Better plan before the scissors blow
Unified credit links estate and gift
One big bucket, that's the gift tax drift

[Chorus]
Gift tax rules, remember these
Unified system holds the keys
Eighteen thousand annual free
Thirteen point six million lifetime spree
Present interest is the way
Or your exclusion fades away

[Verse 3]
Present interest means they can use it now
Future gifts don't qualify somehow
Crummey powers make the future present
Give them right to withdraw, very pleasant
Thirty days to take their money out
That's what present interest is about

[Bridge]
Married couples split their gifts in two
Thirty-six thousand from me and you
Fill out the forms and both must sign
Double exclusions work just fine

[Verse 4]
Fair market value is the rule
Discounts help when control's not full
Lack of marketability
Minority interest, you can see
Twenty to forty percent off
When buyers would just scoff

[Chorus]
Gift tax rules, remember these
Unified system holds the keys
Eighteen thousand annual free
Thirteen point six million lifetime spree
Present interest is the way
Or your exclusion fades away

[Verse 5]
Twenty-seven-oh-two rules the game
For partial interests, here's the frame
GRATs and GRUTs and QPRTs too
Grantor trust techniques for me and you
Annuity or remainder trust
Value properly, you must

[Outro]
Gift tax planning takes some thought
But these rules can't be fought
Annual exclusions, lifetime caps
Mind the present interest gaps
Plan ahead before it's late
Link your gifts to your estate

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