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The Power Of Early: Making the Most of Your Annual Gift Tax Exclusion

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Waiting until year-end 2026 to use your gift tax exclusion is not simply unnecessary; it may be less efficient than acting right away.

Year-end is a busy time for tax planning. It brings a sense of urgency, and for many tax-related transactions, it brings the necessary clarity to estimate one’s overall tax liability for the year. However, in the case of annual gifting, acting earlier in the year is often advantageous.

This is true for two primary reasons. First, when you gift an asset with appreciation potential, such as stock or investment real estate, to an individual or trust, you permanently remove any future appreciation and income produced by that asset from your tax base. Second, by making a gift early in the year, you allow the recipient to benefit from any income or growth from the gift throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.

The Advantage of Early Gifting

Consider, for example, gifts made in January compared to gifts made in December, assuming:

  • The current 2026 gift tax exclusion amount of $38,000 per married couple per recipient ($19,000 per individual per recipient)
  • 10 years of gifting
  • 5% annual pre-tax return
  • Year-end gifts are made on December 31 and early-year gifts are made on January 1

Important considerations for early gifting

While gifting appreciating assets is often beneficial for both the donor and beneficiary, you will want to carefully weigh the pros and cons with your advisors. Most importantly, you will want to consider the beneficiary’s tax liability; the benefit to you of annual tax free gifts comes at the cost of the recipient receiving the asset with your cost basis. For bequests at death, on the other hand, beneficiaries receive assets with a fair market value cost basis.

It is also important to note that making annual exclusion gifts is most advantageous for individuals and married couples who expect to have a taxable estate for federal or state estate tax purposes. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the exclusion amounts for 2026 have increased to $15 million per individual and $30 million per married couple.

Potential advantages of early retirement and college savings plan contributions

Annual gifts are not the only planning action that might make sense early in the year. You may also benefit by funding your retirement accounts and any college savings plans early in the year, every year. However, consult with your trusted tax and financial advisors first, as each individual’s and family’s financial and tax circumstances are unique.

Financial Education Opportunities for Your Children

In addition to maximizing the benefits of their financial gifts, many parents and grandparents also wish to equip their children to manage them responsibly. Financial education is one of the best ways to achieve this goal. To help, talk to your advisors about where to find age-appropriate resources, and learn more about Northern Trust’s Essentials financial literacy curriculum designed for young adults.

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Disclosures

This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal, investment, accounting or tax advice and is for informational purposes only. Readers, including professionals, should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal, accounting or tax advice from their own counsel. All information discussed herein is current only as of the date appearing in this material and is subject to change at any time without notice.

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