What was the gift splitting limit for a married couple in 2011?

In 2011, the gift splitting limit for a married couple was established at $26,000. This amount reflects the annual gift tax exclusion per recipient that applies to gifts made by a married couple when they elect to split gifts. Under this provision, each spouse can give up to $13,000 to any individual recipient without incurring gift tax, effectively doubling the exclusion amount when gifts are split between the couple.

By choosing to split gifts, a married couple can provide a total of $26,000 to each recipient collectively, allowing for greater generosity while remaining within the boundaries of tax exclusions. This collaboration enhances estate planning flexibility, enabling couples to strategize their gifts efficiently while minimizing tax implications.