Gift Tax Planning for San Anselmo Residents

Start by separating two questions

A federal gift-tax conversation involves two related but different issues: whether a gift raises a reporting question and whether tax is payable. Those questions are not interchangeable; the answer depends on the gift and the applicable rules. The donor is generally responsible for federal gift tax. If you have unresolved questions about how the rules apply, the IRS directs people to a tax practitioner.

For a planning discussion, avoid treating a transfer as settled simply because no tax was paid, or assuming a report is required merely because something was given. Instead, bring the facts and ask which question needs attention. This page is about preparing those facts, not deciding an individual transfer’s tax treatment.

Make an inventory of proposed and past transfers

Create a separate entry for each transfer you want to discuss. Include proposed gifts as well as transfers already completed, and identify the person who gave the property and the person who received it. Note when it happened or when you are considering making it, what was transferred, and the value you currently understand it to have. Mark estimates as estimates rather than presenting them as confirmed figures.

Add a short note explaining the context: for example, whether the transfer is part of a family plan, a repeated pattern of giving, or a larger change to your estate plan. This is background for the conversation, not a legal test. If you are unsure whether an arrangement counts as a gift, describe what happened in plain language and bring the related records.

• List the donor, recipient, transfer date or proposed timing, property, and known or estimated value.
• Separate completed transfers from planned ones and flag details you still need to confirm.
• Note any related transfers you want considered together, without assuming how they should be treated.

Bring records that clarify the facts

Useful preparation is focused on making your inventory understandable. Gather documents that describe the property or transfer, such as correspondence, account or ownership records, transfer paperwork, and any prior gift-tax materials you have. The purpose is to help explain what was given, to whom, and when—not to imply that every item is legally required.

If a record conflicts with your recollection, keep both and note the discrepancy. If you cannot find a document, write down what you remember and what remains uncertain. A clear list of unanswered questions is more useful than trying to resolve an uncertain value or tax conclusion on your own.

Connect gifts to the estate plan you want

Tell the firm what you hope the transfer will accomplish and whether it relates to an existing estate plan or a change you are considering. Bring the relevant plan documents if available, and identify any people or property whose roles may be affected. This gives the discussion context for coordinating proposed gifts with your broader planning goals; it does not determine the federal reporting or tax result.

For each proposed transfer, consider the practical questions you want answered: What facts should be confirmed before proceeding? Does the transfer raise a federal reporting question? What other planning consequences should be considered? If the matter turns on tax rules that remain unresolved, a tax practitioner may be an appropriate resource.

Prepare for a focused remote consultation

Before the meeting, send or organize your transfer inventory, relevant records, and a short list of priorities. Identify which transfers are time-sensitive from your perspective, without assuming a legal deadline. Be ready to explain what you know, what you are unsure about, and whether a transfer has already taken place.

Codi M. Dada Law Office P.C. serves San Anselmo clients virtually from its California practice, with its in-person office in Novato. A useful next step is to assemble the facts for each proposed or past transfer and arrange a consultation to discuss the estate-planning coordination and federal gift-tax questions that apply.