How much can 2 parents gift to child and spouse without filing 709?

[bwa · Accepted solution]

They can give $56,000.

• Parent 1 gives $14,000 to the child
• Parent 2 gives $14,000 to the child
• Parent 1 gives $14,000 to the child's spouse
• Parent 2 gives $14,000 to the child's spouse

You can always give more and file the Form 709.  In most cases, you would not owe a gift tax even though you had to file unless you gave more than $5,000,000+ in gifts during your lifetime.  If you're in the habit of giving more than $5,000,000+, I'm available.

[golomb-andrew]

The breakdown makes sense, but do these 4 payments of 14k actually have to be check's from separate accounts to seperate recipients? If you want to electronically send the money, could it be in one single transaction to a shared account?