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The Daily Insight

What is my basis in gifted stock?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Apr 10, 2026

The cost basis of stock you received as a gift (“gifted stock”) is determined by the giver’s original cost basis and the fair market value (FMV) of the stock at the time you received the gift. If the FMV when you received the gift was more the original cost basis, use the original cost basis when you sell.

Can I gift shares tax free?

Gifting shares HMRC exempts you from capital gains tax when you gift shares to your spouse. Looking at the example above, if you gift 5000 shares to your spouse at the new price, you will not be taxed. However, if your spouse decides to sell them, he or she will be subject to capital gains tax.

What happens when you give a stock as a gift?

Please bear in mind that gifted shares with a capital gain will be transferred with the gain to the recipient. As a result, if the recipient sells those shares, they will have to pay taxes on the capital gains, which would include the difference between the original cost basis or the purchase price and the selling price.

Can You give your shares as a gift to someone?

The Gift Hold-Over Relief provides for an easy and tax free way to give away your shares as a gift to another person (not to a company!). The Hold-Over Relief does not exempt any of the chargeable gain, but instead postpones any tax liability.

How much is XYZ stock worth as a gift?

So let’s say you purchased 100 shares of XYZ stock at $50 a share. Your cost basis is $5,000. Now the stock is $80 a share and you give it as a gift. The value of your gift for gift tax purposes is $8,000. In 2019, you can give up to $15,000 to an unlimited number of individuals each year without paying a gift tax or even reporting the gifts.

How much stock can you give to a married couple?

A married couple who is “sharing” gifts can give up to $30,000 without having it count against their lifetime exemption, but they do have to report the gift. This applies to cash or stock. So if the fair market value of the stock you give your daughter is $15,000 or less at the time you give it to her, there’s likely no filing required.