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Official form guide
Form 708: United States Return of Tax for Gifts and Bequests Received From Covered Expatriates
IRS Form 708 is the United States Return of Tax for Gifts and Bequests Received From Covered Expatriates. It reports all covered gifts, bequests, and foreign‑trust distributions received by U.S. citizens or residents in a calendar year. The 2025 filing is due by June 15, 2027.
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IRS Form 708 - United States Return of Tax for Gifts and Bequests Received From Covered Expatriates
IRS Form 708 is the United States Return of Tax for Gifts and Bequests Received From Covered Expatriates. It reports all covered gifts, bequests, and foreign‑trust distributions received by U.S. citizens or residents in a calendar year. The 2025 filing is due by June 15, 2027.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Filing more than one Form 708 for the same calendar year.
- 2Filing more than one Form 708 for the same calendar year.
- 3Omitting the applicable calendar year on the line under the title.
- 4Failing to check “Yes” on Part I line 13b when electing domestic‑trust status.
- 5Not completing Part IV Section 1 when current‑year covered gifts or bequests were received.
Plain English
Form 708 tells the IRS about any gifts or inheritances you get from a covered expatriate, including money that comes from a foreign trust. It calculates the annual Section 2801 tax you may owe. You must file it for each year you receive such items.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2026-01-20 09:10:34
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when an individual U.S. citizen or resident, a domestic trust, or a foreign trust (including electing foreign trusts) receives one or more covered gifts or covered bequests (including foreign‑trust distributions) in the applicable calendar year.
- Do not use it when you did not receive any covered gifts or covered bequests during the calendar year.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Individual receives covered gifts or bequests
Required to report and compute section 2801 tax
✓ Confirm receipt of at least one covered gift or bequest
Domestic trust receives covered gifts or bequests
Trust must report and pay tax on received items
✓ Verify trust status as domestic
Foreign trust electing domestic treatment for section 2801
Election and reporting are required on the same return
✓ Ensure election is in place and attach governing instrument
Deadline or filing window
When a covered gift or bequest is received, a Form 708 must be filed for that applicable calendar year. The form is due on or before June 15 of the second calendar year after the applicable year; for example, the 2025 filing is due by June 15, 2027. The source does not mention an automatic extension.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Applicable calendar year line
Year of receipt of covered gifts · Form 708 top line under title
Line 12 – Domestic trust indicator
Yes/No answer · Form 708 page 1, line 12
Line 13a – Foreign trust indicator
Governing instrument of foreign trust · Form 708 page 1, line 13a
Line 13b – Election to be treated as domestic trust
Election statement · Form 708 page 1, line 13b
Due date statement
Calendar indicating June 15, 2027 for 2025 year · Instructions p.2
Before you submit
- 1Verify the applicable calendar year is entered correctly.
- 2Check the appropriate box on line 12 if you are a domestic trust.
- 3If a foreign trust, check the box on line 13a and attach the governing instrument.
- 4If electing foreign trust status, check the box on line 13b and prepare the election attachment.
- 5List all covered gifts, bequests, and foreign‑trust distributions on the required schedules.
- 6Calculate the section 2801 tax due using the rates in the instructions.
- 7Sign and date the return in the signature area.
- 8Attach any required foreign trust documents.
- 9Review the due date (June 15, 2027 for 2025 year) and set a mailing reminder.
- 10Make a copy of the completed Form 708 for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Gather all documentation of covered gifts, bequests, and foreign‑trust distributions received in the applicable calendar year.
- 2Complete Form 708, entering the applicable calendar year and checking the appropriate boxes for domestic or foreign trust status.
- 3Calculate the section 2801 tax due and attach any required schedules and supporting documents.
- 4Sign the return and retain a copy for your records.
- 5Mail the signed Form 708 to the IRS address indicated in the instructions and obtain a mailing receipt as proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1Does not apply when no covered gifts or covered bequests were received in the calendar year.
- 2Does not apply to gifts or bequests from non‑covered expatriates.
- 3Does not apply to regular income tax reporting unrelated to section 2801.
- 4Does not apply to foreign trusts that are not electing domestic treatment and have no covered gifts or bequests.
- 5Does not apply to covered bequests whose receipt date is the covered expatriate’s date of death, which follow a different due‑date rule.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The form shows a revision date of December 2025; the instructions point to a "latest information" page at IRS.gov/Form708, and new guidance under section 2801 final regulations became effective January 14, 2025.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows revision December 2025
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — Not stated in the official source
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of the filed Form 708 and all attachments for at least seven years.
- 2Retain proof of mailing, such as a certificate of mailing or delivery receipt.
- 3Monitor for IRS acknowledgment and note any notice of tax due.
- 4If tax is owed, pay the section 2801 tax by the due date to avoid penalties.
- 5If an error is discovered, file an amended Form 708 using the same process.
- 6Check the IRS portal for any follow‑up correspondence.
- 7Store election documents for foreign trusts with your tax records.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Form 708 is used to report covered gifts and covered bequests received during the applicable calendar year.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The section 2801 tax is payable annually and must be figured and filed on a calendar year basis.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — The Form 708 for the 2025 calendar year is due on or before June 15, 2027.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — File Form 708 if you are an individual U.S. citizen or resident who receives covered gifts or bequests.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Line 12 indicates whether you are a domestic trust; if Yes, skip lines 13a‑e.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Line 13a indicates whether you are a foreign trust; if Yes, attach a copy of the governing instrument.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Line 13b indicates election to be treated as a domestic trust; if Yes, proceed to line 15.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — New guidance under section 2801 final regulations effective January 14, 2025 provides updated reporting rules.
Common confusion points
Do I need to file if I only received a distribution from a foreign trust?
Distributions may be attributable to covered gifts, triggering filing
→ Confirm the distribution stems from a covered gift or bequest.
Is the due date June 15, 2027 for all covered gifts?
Covered bequests have a later due‑date rule
→ Check the instructions for the covered bequest receipt‑date rule.
Should I check both line 12 and line 13a?
Line 12 is for domestic trusts; line 13a is for foreign trusts; they are mutually exclusive
→ Select only the box that matches your trust status.
What if I am an electing foreign trust and also a domestic trust?
The election changes reporting requirements
→ Verify election status and follow line 13b instructions.
Do I need to attach the foreign trust’s governing instrument?
Required when checking line 13a
→ Attach the instrument before mailing.
Can I file Form 708 for a prior year on the same return?
Each calendar year requires its own Form 708
→ Use a separate Form 708 for each year.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 708 – file an amended Form 708 to correct errors.
Questions about IRS Form 708
What is IRS Form 708 used for?
Form 708 tells the IRS about any gifts or inheritances you get from a covered expatriate, including money that comes from a foreign trust. It calculates the annual Section 2801 tax you may owe. You must file it for each year you receive such items.
Who must file IRS Form 708?
Individual U.S. citizens and residents who receive covered gifts or covered bequests from covered expatriates, including distributions from foreign trusts, must file IRS Form 708.
What information does IRS Form 708 require?
Form 708 collects the applicable calendar year, election information on Part I line 13b, and details of covered gifts and bequests in Part IV Sections 1‑3, plus required parts VII and VIII.
When is IRS Form 708 due?
For the 2025 calendar year, the form is due on or before June 15, 2027.
How do I complete IRS Form 708?
Identify the applicable calendar year and enter it on the line under the title. If making a domestic‑trust election, check “Yes” on Part I line 13b. Complete Part IV Section 1 for current‑year gifts, Section 2 for foreign‑trust distributions, and Section 3 for prior‑year gifts. File a Form 2848 to designate a U.S. agent, attach required documents, sign, and submit the timely filed Form 708.
Do I need to file if I only received a distribution from a foreign trust?
Distributions may be attributable to covered gifts, triggering filing Confirm the distribution stems from a covered gift or bequest.
Is the due date June 15, 2027 for all covered gifts?
Covered bequests have a later due‑date rule Check the instructions for the covered bequest receipt‑date rule.
Should I check both line 12 and line 13a?
Line 12 is for domestic trusts; line 13a is for foreign trusts; they are mutually exclusive Select only the box that matches your trust status.
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