Which types of gifts are generally exempt from donor's tax?

Gifts that are generally exempt from donor's tax include those that fall below the annual exclusion amount as well as those made directly for qualified educational and medical expenses. The annual exclusion allows an individual to give a certain amount each year to any number of recipients without incurring a gift tax. For instance, if the annual exclusion is set at a specific dollar figure, gifts below that threshold are not subject to tax and do not need to be reported.

Additionally, payments made directly to educational institutions or medical providers on behalf of the recipient are exempt from tax, regardless of the amount. This provision is designed to encourage support for education and healthcare without financial penalty, allowing individuals to help others without affecting their own gift tax limits.

The other options do not accurately reflect the criteria for exemptions under the donor's tax regulations. For example, all gifts to friends and relatives may exceed the annual exclusion amount, leading to potential tax obligations. Similarly, only cash gifts over a certain amount could misrepresent the broader context of exempt gifts. Lastly, gifts made prior to a certain year would not determine exemption status, as the tax laws governing gifts are based on current regulations rather than historical timelines.