Learning Center

We keep you up-to-date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Will Gifts Now Using the Temporarily Increased Gift-Estate Exclusion Harm Estates after 2025?

Article Highlights:

  • Annual Gift Exclusion 
  • Unified Gift-Estate Exclusion 
  • Tax Reform’s Temporary Exclusion Increase 
  • Taxpayer-Friendly Regulations
Individuals with large estates generally want to gift portions of their estate to beneficiaries while they are still living, to avoid or lessen the estate tax when they pass away. That can be done through annual gifts (up to the inflation-adjusted annual limit for each gift recipient each year – $15,000 for 2019) and/or by utilizing the unified gift-estate exclusion for gifts in excess of the annual exclusion amount. The tax reform virtually doubled the unified gift-estate exclusion for years 2018 through 2025, after which – unless further extended by Congress – it will return to its inflation-adjusted former amount. This has caused concerns related to what the tax consequences will be for post-2025 estates if the decedent, while alive, had made gifts during the 2018-through-2025 period utilizing the higher unified gift-estate exclusion. Would that cause a claw back due to the reduced exclusion?

The Treasury Department has proposed taxpayer-friendly regulations to implement changes made by the tax reform, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). As a result, individuals planning to make large gifts between 2018 and 2025 can do so without concern that they will lose the tax benefit of the higher exclusion level for those gifts once the exclusion decreases after 2025.

In general, gift and estate taxes are calculated using a unified rate schedule on taxable transfers of money, property, and other assets. Any tax due is determined after applying a credit based on an applicable exclusion amount.

The applicable exclusion amount is the sum of the basic exclusion amount established in the statute plus other elements (if applicable) described in the proposed regulations. The credit is first used during life to offset gift tax, and any remaining credit is available to reduce or eliminate estate tax.

The TCJA temporarily increased the basic exclusion amount from $5 million to $10 million for tax years 2018 through 2025, with both dollar amounts adjusted for inflation. For 2018, the inflation-adjusted basic exclusion amount is $11.18 million; for 2019, it is $11.4 million. In 2026, the basic exclusion amount will revert to the 2017 level of $5 million, adjusted for inflation.

To address concerns that an estate tax could apply to gifts exempt from gift tax through the increased basic exclusion amount, the proposed regulations provide a special rule that allows the estate to compute its estate tax credit using the higher of the basic exclusion amount applicable to gifts made during life or the basic exclusion amount applicable on the date of death.

If you have any questions related to gifting and estate planning, please give this office a call.

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Benefits of having a business advisor

Your CFO, Reimagined as a Financial Doctor

Diagnosing root causes, prescribing solutions, and guiding your property business toward long-term wealth.

Our CFO | Advisor

Raquel is a passionate business owner. Now, she is returning to her grassroots with a twist - guiding clients with her expertise as a CPA, she can advise your company as your trusted CFO and Advisor.

  • Raquel Deodanes, MS, CPA

    Co-Founder

    CPA with Real-World Experience – I help property managers stay profitable, tax-efficient, and cash flow positive.
    Tax Strategist – Former advisor at California’s revenue agency.
    Trusted by 4,000+ Businesses – Experience across CA, FL, TX, NV, and beyond.
    Real Estate Investor – I understand the financial realities of property management.
    Entrepreneur – I’ve built businesses and know the challenges you face.

Frequently Asked Questions

We diagnose financial inefficiencies, treat problems like poor cash flow or rising costs, and guide you to long-term financial health. That includes cleaning up your books, forecasting cash flow, optimizing operations, and helping you grow your portfolio with confidence — just like a doctor builds a custom care plan for a patient.

Bookkeepers record transactions. CPAs file your taxes. We connect the dots — helping you understand your numbers, strategically improve them, and make smarter decisions throughout the year. We work alongside your existing team to drive performance, not just compliance.

If you're unsure where your cash is going, struggling with rising costs, planning to scale, or just tired of reacting instead of planning — now is the right time. We help you get ahead of problems, not just clean up after them.

Clients typically see improved cash flow, cleaner books, higher NOI, better financial reporting, and a lot less stress at tax time. More importantly, you gain clarity, confidence, and control over your business — and a partner who helps you grow it.

Pricing

Painless, transparent pricing.

Let us take away your stress and give you back your time. Choose your perfect package today.

Base

$499 /mo
  • Dedicated finance expert

  • Bookkeeping with accrual basis

  • Includes P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements

Core

$999 /mo
  • Includes everything in Base, PLUS

  • Industry KPIs and financial ratios

  • Monthly virtual 1-hr meetings

  • Monthly rolling budget forecasts

Growth

$1999 /mo
  • Includes everything in Base, CORE

  • Budget vs. actuals variance analysis and review

  • Payroll and HR Platform