Gift Tax and Custodial Accounts: The Annual Exclusion, Explained

Putting money into a child’s custodial account counts as a gift — and that word makes parents nervous. Good news: the gift tax almost never actually costs a normal family anything, thanks to a generous yearly allowance called the annual exclusion.

The annual exclusion does the heavy lifting

Every person can give up to the annual exclusion amount, per recipient, every year — with no gift-tax paperwork at all. A married couple can combine theirs to give twice as much to the same child. For almost every family, ordinary contributions to a kid’s account sit comfortably under this line and never involve the IRS at all.

The myth: “if I go over, I owe gift tax”

This is the part most people get wrong. Going above the annual exclusion usually doesn’t trigger any actual tax. Instead, the excess simply uses up a slice of a very large lifetime exemption, and you file a one-page informational form (Form 709) to keep track. Only the rare family that gives away millions over a lifetime ever pays real gift tax.

A few custodial-specific points

• UTMA contributions are irrevocable gifts. That’s literally what makes them gifts — once the money is in, it belongs to the child (see what UTMA money can be used for).
• Grandparents each get their own exclusion. That makes custodial accounts and 529s an easy way for extended family to chip in — see investing for grandchildren.
• 529 “superfunding.” A special rule lets you front-load several years of the annual exclusion into a 529 in one year, with no gift-tax consequences — handy for a big one-time contribution.

The exclusion and exemption amounts change every year, and large or unusual gifts can get technical. Confirm the current figures — and any sizable gift — with a tax professional.

Frequently asked questions

Do you pay gift tax on money put into a child's custodial account?

Almost never. Each person can give up to the annual exclusion amount per child each year with no gift-tax paperwork, and even larger gifts usually just use part of a large lifetime exemption rather than triggering actual tax.

What is the annual gift tax exclusion?

It's the amount one person can give another person each year without any gift-tax filing. A married couple can combine theirs to give twice as much to the same child. The exact amount is set each year.

What happens if I give more than the annual exclusion?

You generally don't owe tax — you file an informational Form 709, and the excess uses up a slice of your much larger lifetime exemption. Only very large lifetime giving ever results in actual gift tax.

Can grandparents contribute without gift tax?

Yes. Each grandparent has their own annual exclusion per grandchild, so families can contribute meaningful amounts to custodial accounts or 529s with no gift-tax paperwork.

What is 529 superfunding?

A special rule that lets you front-load several years' worth of the annual exclusion into a 529 in a single year without gift-tax consequences — useful for a large one-time contribution. Confirm current limits with a tax professional.