Is there a deadline for Form 709?

Yes, Form 709 is due on April 15 of the year following the gift, though a filing extension to October 15 is available.

The gift tax return runs on the same calendar-year schedule as your individual income tax return. If April 15 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. You can push the filing deadline to October 15 in either of two ways: file Form 4868 to extend your Form 1040 (this automatically extends Form 709 as well), or, if you're not extending your income tax return, file Form 8892 by the original April 15 deadline.

One point that trips people up: the extension only buys you more time to file the paperwork, not more time to pay. If a gift generates tax owed, that amount is still due by April 15, and interest or penalties can accrue on unpaid tax after that date even if you've filed for an extension.

There's also a special rule if the donor passes away in the year the gifts were made. In that case, the executor must file Form 709 by the earlier of the estate tax return's due date (with extensions) or the standard Form 709 deadline (with its own extension, if requested).

Because gifts of closely held business interests, real estate, or other hard-to-value assets require a qualified valuation before you can file, it's worth starting that process well ahead of the deadline. Our team prepares USPAP-compliant valuations for gift tax filings that are documented and ready to attach to your Form 709. For more on what supporting materials the IRS expects, see our guide on documentation needed for Form 709.