Which of the following is NOT considered a gift for tax purposes?

The correct answer is that educational expenses paid directly to an institution are not considered a gift for tax purposes because they fall under specific exemptions outlined in the tax code. According to IRS guidelines, payments made directly to an educational institution for tuition are excluded from the definition of a gift, which allows individuals to pay for someone's education without incurring any gift tax implications. This exemption serves to encourage educational support.

In contrast, monetary gifts exceeding the exclusion limit, property transferred without compensation, and personal items given to family members all qualify as gifts under the tax code, as they involve a transfer of assets without expecting something in return. These situations may trigger gift tax considerations if they exceed specified thresholds, making it essential to distinguish them from educational expenses.