Who is responsible for any gift taxes on a gift received?

The gift tax is primarily the responsibility of the donor, or the person giving the gift. In the United States, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has established that while recipients generally do not have to pay gift taxes on what they receive, it is the donor who must report the gift and pay any applicable taxes. This is due to the principle that the donor is the one making a transfer of value to another person.

Donors are allowed certain exclusions and exemptions, which can reduce or eliminate their tax liability depending on the amount of the gift and the relationship to the recipient. It's important for donors to be aware of these limits, as exceeding them can lead to a tax obligation.

Recipients of gifts are not accountable for any gift taxes; they simply receive the gift and do not report it as income. State tax authorities typically do not play a role in gift taxation at the federal level, though it is important to consider state-specific laws that may also impact gift transactions. Therefore, the responsibility for any gift tax lies squarely with the donor.