Generally, spouses who are both US citizens may transfer unlimited amounts to each other without incurring any gift tax, as any assets in excess of the couple's combined estate tax exemption ($27.98 million in 2025) will be taxed at the death of the surviving spouse, and transferring assets to the survivor only defers ...
Gifts to your spouse. Except as described earlier, you do not have to file a gift tax return to report gifts to your spouse regardless of the amount of these gifts and regardless of whether the gifts are present or future interests.
Gifts to a spouse are not reported on a tax return, regardless of the amount gifted. Generally gifts to a spouse are not subject to the requirement to file a Form 709. What you have described is not an exception so there would be no reporting of the gift on a form 709.
They are legally binding — While giving a family member a financial gift may not feel like a big deal to some people, gift letters are not only a formality. They are a legally binding document that both parties must sign.
At minimum, a gift letter should include: The giver's name and relationship to the borrower. The dollar amount of the gifted funds. The source of the gifted funds, such as an account number and statements.
The gift letter must: specify the actual or the maximum dollar amount of the gift; include the donor's statement that no repayment is expected; and. indicate the donor's name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the borrower.
They are legally binding — While giving a family member a financial gift may not feel like a big deal to some people, gift letters are not only a formality. They are a legally binding document that both parties must sign.
Your lender may provide you with a gift letter template. If that's the case, you can simply pass it along to the gift giver and have them fill it out. If the lender doesn't provide you with a gift letter template, be sure to verify the gift letter requirements.