Taxes on Gift
In this article, we look at income tax applicable on gift in detail.
Income tax was not applicable on all gift received by a person until the financial year 2003-04. In 2004, changes were made to the Income Tax Act. Currently, any amount received by a person or HUF over Rs.50000/- in a year from any unrelated person, in cash or in kind, will be included as income.
Gifts from Friends and Unrelated Persons
Income tax is not applicable on gifts received from relative (Meaning of ‘relative’ is provided below). Friends do not fall under the definition of relative as per Income Tax Act. Thus, gift received from friends will be charged to tax if it exceeds the threshold.
Deduction for Gift
Gifts received from relatives is not taxable and there is no limit on the amount of money that can be received as gift from relative that is not chargeable to income.
However, money received without consideration by an individual or HUF from any other persons other than a relative is chargeable to tax if the aggregate value of the money received during a year exceeds Rs.50000/- .
Hence, if the total value of gifts received by a person exceeds Rs.50000/- in a year and he/she did not receive the money as a gift for wedding, then the entire amount received by the taxpayer will be taxed.
Example:-
If a taxpayer received a gift of Rs.45000/- during his/her birthday from a friend, the entire amount of Rs.45000/- will not be taxable under income tax.
On the other hand, if a taxpayer receives a gift of Rs.55000/- during his/her birthday from a friend, the entire amount of Rs.55000/- will become taxable under income tax, as it exceeds the threshold.
Gift from Relatives
Gift from relatives are not taxable under the Income Tax Act. As per the Income Tax Act, the following lists of persons are defined as a relative of an individual. Hence, only money received from the following persons will be exempt from income tax for an individual taxpayer.
Spouse of the individual.
Brother or sister of the individual.
Brother or sister of the spouse of the individual.
Brother or sister of either of the parents of the individual.
Any lineal ascendant or descendent of the individual.
Any lineal ascendant or descendent of the spouse of the individual.
Spouse of the persons referred to in (2) to (6).
In case of HUF, gift received from any of the member of the HUF is exempt from Income Tax.
Gifts Received at Wedding
Money and gifts received by an individual taxpayer on the occasion of his/her marriage are exempt from income tax.
Inheritance is Not Taxable
Money received by way of Will or by way of inheritance is exempt from income tax. Hence, no income tax will be payable on any movable or immovable assets inherited, consequent to the demise of a relative.
Money Received in Contemplation of Death
Similar to inheritance being not taxable, money received in contemplation of death of an individual or karta or member of a Hindu undivided family is also exempt from Income Tax. According to the Dictionary, the word contemplation means “the state of being considered or planned”.
Gift Received from Local Authority or Charitable Trust
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