The holiday season is a natural time to think about gifts, and as we go into 2026, that means more than just the presents you put under the tree. With the right gifting strategies, you can utilize your estate plan to support the people you love most. The new year is bringing an increase to the federal estate tax exemption and new limits for a handful of provisions. Understanding and leveraging these updates can ensure the assets you gift in your plan achieve the maximum benefits while potentially reducing your overall tax burden. GIFT TAX LIMIT There is a federal gift tax on money or assets you give to someone in your plan, but that is only triggered if you exceed a specified amount. The annual gift tax exclusion sets that dollar amount every year, outlining what you can give away per recipient without being required to report it to the IRS. In 2026, individuals can gift up to $19,000 per person, and married couples can jointly give up to $38,000 without reporting it. Exceeding the limit doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have to pay a gift tax; it just means you must submit a gift tax form to the IRS. LIFETIME GIFT TAX EXCLUSION The lifetime gift tax exclusion is the total cumulative value of assets an individual can give away during their life, or leave to heirs at death, without incurring a federal gift or estate tax. In 2026, that number will increase from $13.99 million to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples. This change is permanent, and the lifetime gift tax exclusion works in tandem with the annual gift tax exclusion. Any amount you gift over the annual limit will reduce your remaining lifetime exclusion, and if you exceed that, you’ll have to pay taxes. MAXIMIZING 2026 GIFT LIMITS The increase of the lifetime limit opens the door to larger lifetime gifts and could be a good reason to explore the possibilities. Think about how much you can realistically afford to give away over your life without making major changes to your lifestyle and long-term goals. Once you make an irrevocable gift, it no longer belongs to you, so you must find the balance between generous intentions and financial stability. If you are ready to explore how to make gifts work for you and your beneficiaries, contact Douglass & Runger today for a plan review. Maximize Your Generosity 2026 Gift Tax Exclusion and Lifetime Limits Explained
Baked Feta, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet
Sometimes, you just need to mix your favorites with something new to create a delicious new dish!
Ingredients • 2 pints cherry tomatoes • 2 (15-oz) cans no- salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed • 4 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/4 tsp salt • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 oz feta cheese,
packed in brine, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 tbsp hot honey • Basil leaves, for garnish • 4 slices toasted whole-wheat country bread,
optional, for serving
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large, oven-safe skillet, combine tomatoes, beans, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. 3. Drizzle with 5 tbsp of olive oil and stir gently. 4. Add feta pieces 2 inches apart in the mixture and drizzle with remaining olive oil. 5. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst. 6. Remove from oven and drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with basil leaves, and serve with toast if desired. INSPIRATION “Love the giver more than the gift.” —Andrew Peterson
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