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Tax-Free Gifting
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Article Highlights: Lifetime ExclusionAnnual ExclusionMedical ExceptionEducation ExceptionGifting TechniquesIf you are fortunate enough to have an estate large enough to be subject to the estate tax upon your death, you might be considering ways to give away some of your wealth to your family and loved ones now, thereby reducing the estate tax when you pass on. This tax strategy may be more important this year than it has been in the last few years, because legislation being considered by Congress would reduce the lifetime gift and estate tax exclusion by about half while retaining the annual gifting exclusion. Frequently, taxpayers think that gifts of cash, securities or other assets they give to other individuals are tax-deductible; in turn, the gift recipient sometimes thinks income tax must be paid on the gift received. Nothing can be further from the truth. To fully understand the ramifications of gifting, one needs to realize that gift tax laws are interrelated with estate tax laws, and Uncle Sam does not want you giving away your wealth before you pass away to avoid the estate tax. For individuals who die in 2021, federal law allows $11.7 million (lifetime estate tax exclusion) to pass to your heirs estate-tax free, and any excess amount is subject to an estate tax as high as 40%. If passed, the legislation referenced above would lower the exclusion to $5 million, adjusted for inflation. Amounts you gift in excess of the annual gift tax exclusion amount prior to your death reduce the lifetime estate tax exclusion and will therefore subject more of your estate to taxation. Example: Jeff gives his daughter $100,000 in 2021. This is $85,000 more than the $15,000 annual gift tax exclusion. Jeff will need to file a gift tax return reporting the gift. The $85,000 excess (and any additional excess amounts from other years) will reduce his estate tax exclusion, whatever amount it may be, in the year he dies.The law does provide exceptions where gifts can be made without reducing the lifetime exclusion, including the following:Annual gift exclusion available each year to any number of individuals. The amount is periodically adjusted for inflation, and the amount for 2021 is $15,000 (projected to be $16,000 for 2022). The recipient does not have to be a relative or an audult. Unlimited amounts can be gifted to a U.S. citizen’s spouse. Gifts can be cash or the transfer of real or personal property.Directly pay medical expenses. This applies to amounts paid by one individual on behalf of another individual directly to a medical care provider as payment for that medical care. Payments for medical insurance qualify for this exclusion.Directly pay education expenses. This applies to amounts paid by one individual on behalf of another individual directly to a qualifying educational organization as tuition for that other individual. The tuition can be for any level of schooling—elementary, secondary or post-secondary. Costs of room and board, books, supplies or other similar expenses aren’t eligible as direct payments, nor are contributions to qualified tuition programs (also known as Sec. 529 plans), which have their own gifting rules not covered in this article.If the gift giver is married and both spouses agree, gifts to recipients made during a calendar year can be treated as split between the husband and wife, even if only one of them made the cash or property gift. Thus, by using this technique, a married couple can give $30,000 in 2021 to each recipient under the annual limitation discussed previously.
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Tax and Financial Insights
by NR CPAs & Business Advisors
2026 IRS Mileage Rates: Key Updates and Insights
The IRS has rolled out the inflation-adjusted mileage rates for 2026, offering taxpayers an efficient way to claim deductions for vehicle-related expenses incurred for business, charity, medical, or moving purposes. These adjustments reflect the continued economic shifts impacting car operation costs.
Effective January 1, 2026, the new standard mileage rates are established as follows:
- Business Travel: Increased to 72.5 cents per mile, inclusive of a 35-cent-per-mile depreciation allocation. This marks a rise from the 70 cents per mile rate set for 2025
- Medical/Moving Purposes: Reduced slightly to 20.5 cents per mile, down from 21 cents in the previous year, reflecting the variable cost considerations.
- Charitable Contributions: Consistent at 14 cents per mile, a fixed rate unchanged for over a quarter-century.
As is typical, the business mileage rate considers the integral fixed and variable costs of automobile operation. Meanwhile, the medical and moving rates remain contingent on variable expenses as determined by the IRS study.
It is critical to note that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) held firm on disallowing moving expense deductions except for specific cases within the Armed Forces and intelligence community, marking a substantial shift since 2017.
When engaging in charitable work, taxpayers might opt for a direct expense deduction over the per-mile method, covering gas and oil costs. However, comprehensive upkeep and insurance costs are non-deductible expenses.
Business Vehicle Use Considerations: Taxpayers can alternatively compute vehicle expenses using actual costs, which might benefit from shifting depreciation rules, particularly through bonuses and first-year advantages. Keep in mind, however, reverting from actual cost calculations to standard rates in subsequent years is restricted, particularly per vehicle protocol and when exceeding four vehicles in concurrent use.
Additionally, parking, tolls, and property taxes attributable to business can be deducted independently of the general rate, an often-overlooked advantage by many business owners.
Tax Strategies for Employers and Employees: Reimbursements based on the standard mileage framework, providing the right documentation is in place, remain tax-free for employees. Meanwhile, the elimination and continued prohibition of unreimbursed employee deductions continue, with particular exceptions offered to qualified personnel across specific occupations.
Opportunities for Self-employed Individuals: Entrepreneurs remain eligible for deductions on business-related vehicle use via Schedule C, with potential to account for business-use interest on auto loans.
Heavy SUVs and Deduction Advantages: Heavier vehicles exceeding 6,000 pounds but under 14,000 pounds open opportunities for substantial tax deductions through Section 179 and bonus depreciation avenues. The lifecycle of such a vehicle bears implications on recapturing initially claimed deductions, urging cautious tax planning.
For professional guidance on optimizing your vehicle-related tax deductions and understanding their implications on tax strategies, contact our office in Coral Gables, Florida, where expert advice and strategic insights are just a call away.
Educator's Deduction Reform: Key Changes Under OBBBA
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces significant enhancements for educators' tax deductions starting in 2026, offering both strategic opportunities and planning considerations for educators who qualify. With the reinstated itemized deduction for qualified unreimbursed expenses, educators have a broader spectrum of financial relief. This is complemented by the retention of the $350 above-the-line deduction, allowing educators to maximize their tax benefits by selectively allocating expenses between these avenues.
Understanding the nuances of these changes is crucial for educators and financial advisors alike. The dual-option deduction strategy can potentially enhance tax efficiency, thereby aligning with broader financial planning goals.
At NR CPAs & Business Advisors, based in Coral Gables, Florida, our expertise in tax preparation and planning provides invaluable support to educators navigating these changes. Our comprehensive approach, combined with personalized advice from our experienced team, ensures compliance and optimization in line with the latest tax legislations.
Given these updates, it is imperative to engage with seasoned professionals to fully leverage your deduction strategies. Contact us today to streamline your tax planning under OBBBA's new guidelines and maximize your deductions for upcoming tax years.
