How to Maximize Your Gift Tax Benefits

The lifetime gift tax exemption in 2026 is $15 million per person, $30 million combined for married couples. Gifting assets into a trust while their value is lower preserves more of that exemption for later use. Assets that grow inside the trust after the gift stay outside your taxable estate. If you do not complete the gift, the trust still provides creditor and probate protection, just without the estate tax benefit. Talk to an estate planner before making any moves here.