What about charitable gifts for purposes of the federal gift tax?
You can give any amount – no matter how large – to a qualified charity completely tax-free. For example, if you own Real Estate that you gift outright to a charity, no Gift Tax is due. The value of what you transferred is included in the gross estate after your death but is 100% subtracted before the tax rates are applied.
What is a qualified charity? Typically it includes certain religious, educational, scientific or charitable organizations, fraternal societies, veterans’ associations, state and local governments.