What Is a Down Payment Gift? What You Need to Know

Most home buyers need to make a down payment when they purchase a home. If someone else gives you some of that money, it's called a down payment gift. You can use it to pay for some or all of the down payment on your home. There are rules about who can make a down payment gift and how much of the down payment can be gifted. Below, we'll cover all the details you need to know about down payment gifts.

What is a down payment gift?

A down payment gift is money someone gives a home buyer toward their down payment.

There are strict rules for down payment gifts. The rules vary by home loan type. Rules exist to help ensure borrowers can afford the expenses of homeownership. Your mortgage lender must confirm the money really is a gift, not a loan. Otherwise, you (the borrower) would have an additional financial obligation -- repaying the loan -- that could affect your ability to make mortgage payments.

Down payment gift guidelines: Who, how much, and other qualifications

Down payment gift rules cover two main areas: Who can provide the gifted funds, and how much of the down payment can be gifted. You'll also need to prove the money is a gift, not a loan that must be repaid.

Conventional loan down payment gift rules

Here are the rules for down payment gifts on conventional loans:

• Who can make a gift: Gifts must come from relatives, including spouses or domestic partners, betrothed, children, dependents, or individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or guardianship.
• Maximum down payment gift: This depends on how much you put down.
  • All of the down payment can come from a gift if borrowers make at least a 20% down payment. If it's a single-family home, the down payment can also be gifted in its entirety.
  • If you put less than 20% down, at least 5% of your down payment would have to come from your own money if it's a second home or a multi-unit home.

Most conventional mortgage lenders prefer 20% down. Buyers who put less than 20% down typically must buy private mortgage insurance to protect lenders. Still, 10% down payments are common. And some lenders even allow a minimum of 3% down.

FHA loan down payment gift rules

Here are the rules for down payment gifts on FHA mortgages:

• Who can make a gift: Gifts can come from family members or friends with a "clearly defined and documented interest" in the buyer. Employers, labor unions, or charitable organizations can also provide down payment gifts. Money can also come from down payment assistance programs.
• Maximum down payment gifts: 100% of the down payment can come from gift funds.

FHA mortgages are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. If you have a credit score of 580 or higher, the minimum down payment is 3.5%. If your credit score is between 500 and 580, you'll need to put 10% down. Mortgage insurance is typically required on FHA loans.

VA loans down payment gift rules

VA lenders do not require down payments or mortgage insurance. If you receive a down payment gift, you could put the money toward the home and borrow less. Or the gift might go toward closing costs.

Here are the VA rules for down payment gifts:

• Who can make a gift: Anyone who is not an interested party. Examples of interested parties include real estate agents and lenders.
• Maximum down payment gifts: There are no restrictions on the amount.

USDA loans down payment gift rules

USDA loans don't require a down payment if you meet certain income criteria. Note that you will owe mortgage insurance on USDA Loans, which will increase your monthly payment. As with a VA loan, you may still wish to receive gift funds to cover closing costs or reduce your loan balance.

Here are the rules for down payment gifts on USDA mortgages:

• Who can make a gift: Family members or friends can make gifts, as can charitable organizations, employers, or labor unions. And money can come from homeownership assistance grants or programs.
• Maximum down payment gifts: There are no restrictions on the amount.

What is a down payment gift letter?

A down payment gift letter proves the down payment gift actually is a legitimate gift and there's no expectation of repayment. This is required by mortgage lenders. The mortgage gift letter must be dated and signed by both the giver and the recipient. It should include:

• Recipient's name
• Name and contact details of the gifter
• Address of the property being purchased
• Details about the relationship between the gifter and the recipient
• Total amount of gifted money
• Source of the gift funds
• A clear statement that the money is a gift, not a loan, and the gift will not need to be repaid

Proving you received the down payment gift money

Home buyers who receive a down payment gift must show they received the gifted funds and where they came from. There are several ways to prove, this including:

• A copy of a canceled check from the gifter and a deposit slip from the recipient's bank account
• A copy of the gifter's withdrawal slip and recipient's deposit slip showing the money was taken from the gifter's account and put into the recipient's
• Proof of a wire transfer moving the money from the gifter's account to the recipient's
• A copy of a check the gifter wrote to the title agent
• A copy of the settlement statement showing the check had been deposited

Is my down payment gift money taxed?

Your down payment gift money is unlikely to be taxed, but you might have to declare it. Anyone can provide a gift -- including a down payment gift -- of up to $17,000 to any other person without any tax consequences, as of 2023.

This $17,000 is per gifter and per recipient. Let's say you're married and your parents want to help you buy a home. Your mother could give $17,000 to you and $17,000 to your spouse. Your father could do the same. That means up to $68,000 could be transferred with no tax consequences.

Gifts above this $17,000 threshold must be reported to the IRS. However, every person has a lifetime gift exclusion of money they can receive before taxes are owed. The exact threshold for tax year 2022 is $12.06 million. As a result, most people will not owe taxes on gifts they provide.

Alternatives to down payment gifts

If down payment gift money is not available, alternatives include:

• Saving more and using your savings to make a larger down payment.
• Shopping for loans that require a small down payment or zero down payment.
• Exploring down payment assistance programs, which may be available to first-time home buyers.
• Purchase a less expensive property. A cheaper home, such as a starter home, would require a smaller down payment. You could also look into purchasing a condo or townhouse.

Still have questions?

Here are some other questions we've answered:

• Down Payment Assistance: Available Programs & How to Apply
• How to Save for a Down Payment on a House
• How Much of a Down Payment Should I Make on My Home?